Details

• Ireland
• MACEMS-25
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

From Austria, flying is your best bet. Make sure to do the usual (signed learning agreement, Erasmus funding request etc.). Try and leverage your network for accommodation, as the housing market is very competitive/pricey. Take coins with you if you plan on taking a bus on your way home from the airport!

2. Accommodation

Leverage network - housing is very pricey. I lived in a private residence which I found through a mate. I lived in Blackrock which is great as its close by the uni, very safe, residential. Takes about an hour into the city by public transport. Having a bike is great in the Blackrock area, really practical.

3. Academic life at host university

Smurfit campus is nice but Belfield is much bigger and more modern. Lectures were quite interactive - also rely on participation, similarly to WU. I took the UNFCCC course which is great fun as you get to meet students from loads of other CEMS schools in the mock negotiation at the end of the semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport (at least busses) are atrocious. They don't arrive, there's 0 transparency in the schedule, you're stuck in traffic a lot and overall I think everyone who's spent some time in Dublin knows its a big relief to actually see the bus coming around the corner. Dart/LUAS are better and more reliable alternatives if you have to be somewhere on time. Never felt unsafe in Dublin, though there are some sketchy characters around the north side/river Liffey from time to time. CEMS club in Dublin was active, there's a load of sports you can do at the Belfield campus and around Dublin (martial arts, football,..).

6. Testimonial

The people of Dublin/Ireland are amazing. Really open, chatty and overall just very kind - I would say they made it special, as well as the people in my cohort, who were great fun. We did some really cool trips (Edinburgh, Glasgow - also Galway, Howth, Cliffs of Moher), and the scenery is beautiful.