Details

• Ireland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

- gather all the information - sometimes, something will be unclear - just ask the person responsible, they can always help you! - don't miss the deadlines

2. Accommodation

- I lived on campus (student accommodation provided by UCD) - I had one of the cheapest options available (shared appartment with 3 others, 1 kitchen and 2 bathrooms for 1,200€/month or so). From what I've heard, you will always share these apartments with other exchange students, so you will meet new people really fast. - the application for the accommodation at UCD opened quite late (mid June) and the offer for an accommodation came around the begin of July. - it's easy to get stressed out beacause the application starts so late but if you are fast enough (first come first serve) you won't have a problem getting a room (otherwise look for something else before applying for UCD accommodation so you have a backup) - IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU LIVE ON CAMPUS. Nearly everybody that does an exchange at UCD will live there and the campus is the social hotspot during your exchange. - The price may sounds like a lot but all of the accommodation in Dublin is very expensive

3. Academic life at host university

- the courses (they call it modules) are easier compared to WU - attendance is not always mandatory (depends on the module) - the teaching is not as advanced as at WU

5. Every day life in the host country

- for public transport you will get the student leap card and pay 1€ per ride (within 90 minutes it's only 1€ in total) - the whole city is pretty safe. You will see some suspicious people nothern the channel but overall the Irish are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. - during your exhange you will probably go to a lot of pubs since thats the main outgoing activity in Ireland. - sport is also a huge thing in Ireland. For this I'd advise you to join a sport society at UCD (they have one for nearly every sport) - Otherwise visit the countryside of Ireland, it's beautiful and also has a lot to offer (e.g. Galway, Cork, Glendalough, etc.)

6. Testimonial

What makes the exchange the most special are the people you meet during this time. They become your new social circle and you make so many new experiences with them. It's very good opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and learn about new cultures.