Friendly people, safe cities and a rich history and culture. There’s lots of reasons to choose Ireland and in this blog Soumyajyoti Maji, our UCD and Indian Ambassador shares his thoughts on why Dublin is a such great place to study abroad….
What is it like to stay in Dublin as an international student? I’ve been living in Ireland’s capital city since last September and I am completely enjoying the study abroad lifestyle here. I chose Dublin as my overseas study destination because it’s safe and has the fastest rising economy in the EU. The streets of Dublin are steeped in history, which is evident in beautiful sculptures and architecture as well as traditional live concerts which stream out of the friendly pubs, bars, and restaurants throughout the city almost everyday of the week. This vibrant city is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, the relaxing Liffey River and vast, green parks, which take out the stress of studying and gives you lots of options and places to explore with new friends.
…Dublin is emerging as a study abroad destination favourite for international students.
The city is full of loads of different people from all across the globe and this makes it so cosmopolitan. Irish people are very friendly to foreign students and their warmth, kindness and openness made me feel right at home. You can have a quick chat with the lady in the bus stop or in the supermarket. There have been loads of instances where strangers have smiled and waved me on the streets. These attributes have helped me to blend in with the local culture and also have made me feel that it’s a “home away from home”.
In 2014, the Global Peace Index ranked Ireland as the 13th most peaceful place on earth and I really do feel safe here. I once got on the wrong bus service from UCD and lost my way home. I was panicked as everyone got down to their destination and I was left up all alone in the bus. I enquired with the bus driver and he clarified with me that I have got into the wrong bus, he was a very kind person and actually drove the bus for me to a place where I could get back home easily. I was spellbound by his response!
Irish people are very friendly to foreign students and their warmth, kindness and openness made me feel right at home.
Most of the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi shops are located in the heart of this amazing city where you can get different types of homemade cuisine. This ensures that you get to feel that you are not only getting to explore the different types of Irish food but at the same time it gives you a feeling that you are back home. These are some of the reasons I think Dublin is emerging as a study abroad destination favourite for international students. Studying in UCD is really advantageous in this way as UCD is situated only a fifteen minute bus ride from the centre of the city which gives students both the advantages that come with being in a capital city and the advantages that come with being in a comfortable campus environment.
Interested in studying abroad? Visit the Education in Ireland website for more information.