Ireland - University of California, Office of the President …eap.ucop.edu/Documents/_forms/1314/Ireland/Ireland EAP...FALL & YEAR PROGRAMS 2013-2014 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EAP orientation

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Ireland

EAP Arrival and Orientation Information

FALL & YEAR PROGRAMS 2013-2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EAP orientation in Ireland

(a) Dates & Venue

(b) Orientation Accommodation

(c) How to get to EAP orientation

(d) Orientation Programme

Host Institution Orientation

(a) Travel to Host Institution

(b) NUI Galway Orientation

(c) UC Dublin Orientation

(d) UC Cork Orientation

(e) Trinity College Orientation

Arriving early?

Luggage, mobile phones, money and jet lag – useful tips from previous participants

Contact details for UCEAP Study Centre

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EAP orientation in Ireland

All students attending universities in Ireland must attend an EAP orientation in Dublin.

Full participation in the EAP orientation is required for all students as it is an integral part of the

student contract.

Failure to attend the whole EAP orientation could result in dismissal from the programme.

(a) EAP OrientationDates & Venue Dates & Venue

EAP orientation will take place in Dublin in advance of your host orientation. Please find below the

date, location and start time.

Your Irish Host

University

EAP

Orientation

Location

Arrive by:

EAP Orientation

accommodation

See Map

EAP Orientation

starts:

EAP Orientation

ends:

NUI Galway Dublin Monday 26

August

Travelodge

St Stephen’s Green

Monday 26 August

11.30am

Wednesday 28

August

8.00am

UC Dublin Dublin Saturday 31

August

Travelodge

St Stephen’s Green

Saturday 31 August

11.30am

Monday 2

September

8.00am

UC Cork

&

Trinity College

Dublin

Dublin Sunday 8

September

Travelodge

St Stephen’s Green

Sunday 8 September

11.30am

Tuesday 10

September

8.00am

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(b) Orientation Accommodation:

UCEAP has pre-paid 2 nights at the Travelodge St Stephen’s Green for you so you are not

responsible for these two nights’ accommodation. If you require any additional nights, please

arrange and pay for this directly with the hotel. There are several branches of the Travelodge in

Dublin so please ensure you travel to the St Stephen’s Green location

Travelodge St Stephen’s Green Lower Mercer Street Dublin Tel: +353 147 20 800 Website: Travelodge St Stephen's Green Please search “Travelodge Lower Mercer Street, Dublin” for online map Location

Check-in is from 2pm onwards but if your room is available, the hotel will let you check in early.

Alternatively, please ask to store your luggage in the locked storeroom.

Check-out is by 12 noon.

(c) How to get to EAP Orientation:

Getting to Ireland:

Airline information:

You can fly to Ireland directly from the States or via one of the larger UK airports depending on the

airline. Most direct international flights will land in Dublin or at Shannon airport (on the West coast of

Ireland) but if you are transferring from the UK, you may have a choice of destinations in Ireland.

For flight information, you may wish to check the following airlines, although this is just an initial list:

Aer Lingus: http://www.aerlingus.com/

American Airlines: http://www.americanairlines.com

British Airways: www.britishairways.com

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Northwest Airlines: http://www.nwa.com/

Delta Air: www.delta.com

Getting from the Airport to the Orientation Hotel:

If you are flying into a city other than Dublin, you will be able to take a Citylink www.citylink.ie or Bus

Eirann http://www.buseireann.ie/ coach to Dublin City Centre.

To get to the hotel from Dublin International airport, take the Airlink Bus to College Green (Trinity

College/ Temple Bar)– Stop 12. Please see the attached bus stop brochure: Airlink Bus

Information. This will cost you 6 euros for a single fare. Once you get off the bus walk to the top of

Grafton Street, toward St Stephen’s Green and take your first right along King Street South and then

next left onto Lower Mercer Street.

You could also take a taxi directly from the airport but this would cost you around 30 euros.

However, it may be worth it if you have a lot of luggage!

Please note that if you get a taxi you do not need to tip the driver too much, generally 1 or 2 Euros

will be enough.

(d) Orientation Programme

Your EAP Orientation will start at 11.30am prompt. After a welcome meeting, you will have a short

break for lunch before we head off to visit a local attraction, such as the Book of Kells. We will then

go for dinner in the city centre. The following day will consist of meetings on Academics and Life in

Ireland, an afternoon activity and dinner.

You are advised to wear comfortable shoes as we will be doing a lot of walking and to bring a bottle

of water. You will also need a small amount of money (around 14euros) for lunches.

Please note that EAP orientation is for EAP students only and not friends and family.

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Host Institution Orientation

(a) Travel to host institution

Students going to Galway and Cork:

EAP will pre-purchase a Citylink or Aircoach coach ticket for you so you do not need to arrange this

travel yourself. Your bus will leave Dublin in the morning and the journey will last around 2.5 hours.

You will be given instructions at orientation on how to get to the correct bus stop in Dublin.

Getting to campus from Galway City Centre:

You can get to Galway campus either by bus or taxi. You can catch a taxi from the taxi rank on Eyre

Square and this will cost you around 10 euros. Alternatively, you can take the No.4 ‘Newcastle’ bus

service run by Bus Eirann, which departs from Eyre Square. There are different bus stops for each

of the bus services, so check the No4 runs from that stop and make sure that you are heading West

in the direction of ‘Newcastle’ and not East to ‘Merlin Park’! You will go past Galway Cathedral to the

top of University Road and then turn right at the Esso station along Newcastle Road. The main

entrance to the university is on University Road but you can alight at any stop on Newcastle Road or

University Road. If your accommodation is not on campus, please ask your residence directly which

local bus will take you there.

For further details, please check NUI Galway website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/contact-

us/how-to-find-us.html

Getting to UC Cork – Main Campus:

Campus is around a 30 minute walk from Cork city centre in the direction of Western Road. If you

are going by foot, follow St Patrick’s Street (the main pedestrianized shopping street in the city

centre) to the end and cross over Grand Parade on to Washington Street. Keep following

Washington Street for around 15 minutes until it turns into Western Road. The campus will be on

your left. If your accommodation is not on campus, please ask your residence directly which local

bus will take you there.

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If you are travelling with luggage, you may be best to get a taxi, which you can find at the bus or train

station or can hail in the city centre. A fare from the centre of town to the campus would be around

5 - 8 euros.

Students going to UC Dublin & Trinity College Dublin

If you are staying in campus accommodation or in a private residence in Dublin city centre, EAP will

pre-arrange taxis to take you to your accommodation. Further information will be given at EAP

orientation.

(b) NUI Galway Host Orientation

Your NUI Galway orientation will take place on Thursday 29August and Friday 30 August. You must

attend the mandatory sessions on course registration but there will also be other optional activities

such as campus/library tours and evening events organised for you. Please keep checking the

following website for details. http://www.nuigalway.ie/student-life/international-students/study-

abroad-at-nuigalway.html

(c) UC Dublin Host Orientation

Your UC Dublin orientation will take place from Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 September. During this time,

you must attend all mandatory information sessions regarding course registration. There will also be

a variety of social activities as well as campus & library tours organised for you. Please keep

checking the following website for details: http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-

global/coming-to-ireland/orientation/

(d) UC Cork Host Orientation

Your host orientation will take place from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 September. During this time,

you must attend all mandatory information sessions regarding course registration. There will also be

a variety of social activities as well as campus & library tours organised for you. Please keep

checking the UCC website for details:

http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/visiting/orientation/

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(e) Trinity College Dublin Host Orientation

Your Trinity orientation will take place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 September. During this time,

you must attend all mandatory information sessions regarding course registration. There will also be

a variety of social activities as well as campus & library tours organised for you. Our liaison at Trinity

will email detailed arrival information to your UC email address over the summer.

Campus/Private Accommodation :

Please note that campus accommodation is not guaranteed, especially for students coming for one

semester only. Trinity gives priority to first year students and then international students who are

staying for the full year.

If looking for private accommodation, you would be advised to arrive in Dublin a week or more in

advance of your EAP orientation so that you have time to view rooms. The Student Welfare Office at

Trinity College Dublin keeps a list of landlords who have short and longer-term rooms to rent. The

Welfare Office can also help with rental agreement advice so please check leasing details with them

prior to signing any contracts with your landlord.

Past EAP students have also found rooms using the following websites:

www.daft.ie

www.rent.ie

www.gumtree.ie

www.let.ie

www.chubbproperties.com

You might want to contact other EAP students going to Trinity this year/semester via our facebook

page www.facebook.com/EAPIreland so that you can get together to search for rooms.

Dublin is a large city, and is broken up into separate postcodes, which are further subdivided into

neighbourhoods, also called villages. A good rule of thumb is that even-numbered (Southside)

postcodes (D2, D4, D6, D6W) are safe places to live, while odd-numbered (Northside) postcodes

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(D1, D3, D5, D7) are not as good areas. The dividing line is the River Liffey. The exceptions to this

rule are D8 on the Southside and D3 (referring to Clontarf neighbourhood only) on the Northside.

D3 – Clontarf is a very safe residential village but it can be hard to find accommodation here as it is

demand.

D8 – we do not recommend you stay in this area, in particular the Rialto district.

D1 and D2 - are the closest to campus and so are desirable places to live.

D4,D6 and D6W – are walkable to campus. In D6 , an area known as Rathmines is popular with

students, and is accessible via bus and fast tram. Out of all the southern postcodes, D6 is one of the

most affordable with an average monthly rent and utilities of around €500. For this money you will

probably be sharing a flat or a house with other students. It is also a 30 minute walk/15 minute cycle

away from campus. Trinity Hall is also located in Rathmines and so if you get into university

accommodation you might be placed here.

Advice from previous UC students

Arrive early so that you have time to look around properties and find the right one for you.

Get an Irish cell phone as quickly as possible as landlords prefer to talk to prospective

tenants on the phone rather than email.

If you choose a flat outside of the city centre then transport into university is the other

consideration. Perhaps invest in a bike or a bus pass.

Remember to look up whether the flat you choose is close or accessible to amenities that you

might need eg. Supermarket.

Team up with other students (home or study abroad) to find a place together or you might be

able to find a spare room in current private student flat.

Ask Irish students for advice on the best areas, places and types of flats to live in – they may

be more direct than agencies.

Sometimes our students have viewed 5 or 6 places before finding the right one – so be

patient and take a good look around.

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If you have any queries or would like to make contact with past EAP Trinity students for further

information, please email Hilary Noyce [email protected]

Arriving Early?

It is often possible to check in to your campus accommodation early or find alternative temporary

accommodation on campus. The Accommodation Office at your host institution will be able to

provide you with exact details of rooms available and costs.

If you have family travelling over with you or you prefer to stay in private bed & breakfast / hotel

accommodation for your first few days, then you will find recommendations on your host campus

Accommodation webpage, as give below.

Host University Accommodation Office Contact Details:

UC CORK

College Road, Cork

Tel: +353 21 490 2353

Fax: +353 21 427 4483

Email: [email protected]

http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/where/temp-lodgings/

NUI GALWAY

Aras Ui Chathail Building

Tel: +353 91 492 760

Contact; Agnes O’Farrell

Email: [email protected]

http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/accommodation_office/

http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/accommodation_office/temp_accommodation.html

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

Accommodation Office

West Chapel

Trinity College, Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 896 1177

Fax: +353 1 671 1127

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

http://www.tcd.ie/accommodation/Visitors/

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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

UC Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 1034

Fax: +353 1 716 1154

Email: [email protected] http://www.ucd.ie/residences/

Alternatively, you can also find hotel accommodation via the local tourist board.

Cork Tourist Board: http://www.corktourist.com/

Dublin Tourist Board: http://www.dublintourist.com/

Galway Tourist Board: http://www.galwaytourist.com/

Ireland Tourist Board: www.discoverireland.com/

Another source you can use when searching for a hostel is the website

http://www.hostelworld.com/

If you are having difficulties finding suitable accommodation, please let us know.

Luggage, Mobile Phones, Money and Jet Lag

Useful Tips from Previous Participants

LUGGAGE

Travel light!

Students routinely say how they wish they had brought HALF of what they actually did for their time

abroad …

Every year many students seem surprised at how far and how many times they have to move and

carry their suitcases.

In Ireland, you will notice a lot of stairs, uneven pavements and no elevators. You should also expect

to have to lift and carry your bags quite a bit on the journey from the airport to orientation

accommodation, and, in all likelihood, at your host university as well (very few host university

residences have elevators). So it is worth trying to travel as lightly as possible!

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One solution for students who do have a lot of things they wish to bring for the year is to arrange to

have the heavier items shipped directly to their host university. Please check with your host

university directly if this is permitted. Students who decide to do this will have to ensure they have

the correct delivery address (and in particular the postcode) for any shipment, which might mean

sending it just prior to their own departure from California, or even asking someone else to send it on

a short while after they’ve arrived and have their postal address confirmed. Items like bed linen,

duvets or blankets take up a lot of room in your suitcase, so it is much better to purchase them here.

Many Halls will have a scheme where you can buy these items.

It is also worth noting that many students do tell us that they buy more clothes than they expected to

while on their year abroad (bargains are available here, contrary to expectation!). So please take

note and bring as little with you as you can.

MOBILE PHONES

Cell phones are called mobiles in Ireland. “Pay-As-You-Go” is the most common plan for study

abroad students as it offers flexibility and good rates. Often, EAP students purchase an inexpensive

handset that will serve them for one term or one year and a SIM card with their chosen plan – which

usually includes either free texts or free minutes, or a combination of the two. As it is a competitive

industry, you should be able to find good options. Credit for your ‘pay-as-you-go’ phone can be

purchased at ATM machines, shops or online and you can top up as and when you need.

There are six main service providers in Ireland:

www.vodafone.ie

www.o2.ie

www.meteor.ie

www.3ireland.ie

www.tescomobile.ie

www.emobile.ie

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If you are looking to compare plans or just for an idea of costs, there are shops such as Carphone

Warehouse, that stock all service plans: www.carphonewarehouse.ie

You might want to unlock your US phone, which can be done, but be aware that this can void any

warranty you have on your phone. After having unlocked a smart phone, it can be the case that it is

no longer possible to get software updates. If you are not sure of your US phone’s international

capabilities, we suggest you speak to your provider before coming to Ireland.

Some of our host institutions have given international students a free SIM card at their host

orientation. If your US phone is unlocked, you can simply put in the SIM card and you are all set.

MONEY

Please make sure your US bank knows that you will be abroad for a while! You don’t want to try your

card while here only to have the purchase rejected because your bank thinks someone outside the

country has stolen your account details!

Our host institutions have banks on campus or very close to campus. You can only open a bank

account in Ireland once you have arrived. In order to open a bank account here, you will need a

letter from your host university, proof of your new address and your passport. It can take some time

to organise and have access to your new bank account so you are advised to bring enough money in

traveller’s cheques or have this available via a US account to get you going.

Registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB): You will need to open a bank

account so that you can deposit the amount required by the GNIB. Please see Item 3 of your Pre-

Departure checklist for further information:

http://www.eap.ucop.edu/Participants/ireland/Pages/1314_irish_universities_fall.aspx .

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Tipping: We do not tip here in Ireland as much as you may be used to doing in California. Generally

speaking, if you were to go to a formal restaurant then it is customary to leave 10% as a tip. If you

are in a café and receive table service, leaving small change is acceptable but not necessary. Bar

staff do not receive tips at all. In taxis, we would round up the fare to the nearest 1 euro or perhaps

give 1.50 euro if for longer journeys.

During EAP orientation, we will provide more information about banks and money matters.

JET LAG

Before the flight:

1) Try to get plenty of rest and hydrate.

2) It can sometimes help people to start adjusting to their new time zone a few days before

travelling. Setting your watch ahead and shifting your meals can train your brain into the new

time you will be in.

While on the flight:

1) Stay away from coffee and alcohol!

2) It’s best while flying internationally to drink water, as hydration is key to fighting jet lag.

3) Make yourself comfortable, even if that means you bring a pair of pyjamas to wear for the

flight.

4) Depending on the time of your flight, you might want to forgo the dinner they serve, as it

will probably be in the middle of night in Ireland. It’s okay to snack, but try to wait until

breakfast is served.

5) Try to sleep on the plane! Even if you only get a few hours, this will help you upon your

arrival in Ireland. It is a long journey and upon arrival you will be expected to stay alert

and focus to participate in the EAP orientation.

After the flight:

1) Try to stay awake until evening (always aim for 8-9pm) the first day. Not only will orientation

be occurring, so you will need to stay alert and focused, but this will help your body adjust to

the new time more quickly.

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2) Continue to drink lots of water.

3) Get sunlight. Yes, Ireland may be known for clouds, but sunlight will help those circadian

rhythms get into their new time zone!

Combating a jet lag can take up to a few days. With these steps, you should be able to tackle it well.

Contact details for UCEAP Study Centre

The UCEAP office in Edinburgh oversees students at the Irish host instituions.

UCEAP Edinburgh Study Centre

50 Buccleuch Street

Edinburgh, EH8 9LP

Tel : +44 (0)13 1662 8988

www.uceap-uki.org.uk/esc

Emergency Cell number: (if dialling from inside UK) 07968 704 994 and (if

dialling from outside UK) +44 7968 704 994

Programme Manager: Mrs Hilary Noyce

[email protected]

Skype: hilaryuceap

Programme Assistant: Ms Emily Rootham

[email protected]

Skype: emilyuceap

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