Anyone have any experience with study abroad in Dublin, Ireland?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
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<p>Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone knew of anyone who did a study abroad through NU in Dublin. I think I'm choosing between Dublin City University and the Institute of Public Administration, both of which include internship options (y'know, that Northeastern student mentality... gotta be getting some hands-on experience haha). </p>

<p>I'll quote my post in the Study Abroad section in case anyone cares to read it and has any advice :)</p>

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I'm trying to choose where to study abroad next spring. Right now, I’m focusing on Ireland.</p>

<p>I am looking at DCU and IPA because of their internship opportunities (and these seem to be the two best universities that my school, Northeastern, has programs with—the other options are University College Dublin and University of Limerick, neither of which has internship options). </p>

<p>I'm really leaning towards DCU's CIEE program. Their internships are with lots of volunteer and non-governmental organizations. I'm really interested in the History and Culture of Modern Ireland comprehensive required course, which includes four modules: Contemporary Irish Politics, Irish History from 1900, Irish Literature, and Irish Culture and Heritage. If I understand correctly, I take four courses (one of which would be the internship) in addition to these four modules. Within these modules, there are weekend field trips and day trips (to the Kerry-Cork region, the Galway and Connemara regions, and Belfast). The course description also says that in the Northern Ireland module, students travel to Belfast (but I’m confused because this module wasn’t mentioned previously in the course description). </p>

<p>However, IPA has the (guaranteed?) internship with the Irish Parliament. I’m an International Affairs major who intends on working with a nonprofit or social business (I’m minoring in Social Entrepreneurship). But this would be my one opportunity to work in a government setting, which I think would be a great experience for me, even if that is not my intended career path. But, all four courses I would take there seem to be pre-determined: Major Anglo-Irish Writers, 20th Century Irish History, Social Structures of Ireland, and Internship. (This is similar to the CIEE required courses at DCU, but at that university I’d be able to take additional classes.) There is also a potential weeklong field trip to the European continent to visit the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development headquarters in Brussels and Paris. There is also a visit to Belfast. But trips are not necessarily offered every semester. One of the biggest draws of the IPA program is that it’s a home stay with all breakfasts and dinners included, which would save me a ton of money.</p>

<p>I would pay standard Northeastern tuition for both programs, so they’re the same price.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any experience with either of these? I would greatly appreciate any advice! I am definitely planning on traveling around Europe (before, during, and/or after), so I do need to be very mindful of how I spend my money.<br>

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<p>I know someone who did IPA and liked it a lot… he was pre-law and worked with the parliament, took classes like 2 days a week. I know he did a lot of partying but seems like he also got a lot out of the work. Don’t know too much more though!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the response! I ended up deciding to Google blogs about the DCU program and found a ton (and a lot were written by NU students haha). I’m going to try to search for more info on IPA next but that doesn’t seem as readily available. </p>

<p>I do believe I distinctly remember hearing about an IAF major talk about how much she loved going to IPA and doing that internship. I’m just frustrated by that program’s lack of choice in the class selection :/</p>

<p>But I am so unbelievably excited about going to Dublin. It’s all I’ve been thinking about all week haha (and I’m in the DR right now… still enjoying my time here though!)</p>

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<p>Have you considered the British Parliament internship one? I think it’s called Hansford Scholars… Or do you really want to go to Ireland? haha</p>

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<p>Oh yeah, that’s the other one I remember hearing about! I’ll def look into it. But I am kinda set on Ireland. I kinda feel like Dublin vs. London is like Boston vs. New York. I’d love to live in Dublin and then visit London, y’know?</p>

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<p>I’m the opposite. :slight_smile: Doing LSE for summer 2, super excited. But I can definitely see Dublin’s appeal. My parents just went and they absolutely loved Ireland.</p>

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<p>LSE-- That’s awesome! I’m so ready to be in Europe right now-- I really gotta stop reading every. single. blog. I can find about the CIEE program in Dublin. And Idk, I’ve just always identified with the Irish for some reason… and I don’t believe I have any Irish blood at all haha</p>

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<p>Oh yeah, I know how you feel. As soon as I applied to the LSE program I looked up everything there is to know about doing a masters in the UK or moving there. Sadly, it’s pretty difficult… But I"m still excited for LSE haha</p>

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<p>It becomes so obsessive! I’m gonna start looking into applicable co-op opportunities in Ireland to see if I can make a year of it-- then I was like, oh, maybe I could do the IPA one the next semester and spend 18 months there. Nevermind the fact that I have not spent more than 2 hours in Dublin (I was there very briefly when I flew into the airport to take a bus to Belfast). Only slightly obsessive-- I should probs be using this energy to get pumped for my co-op that starts in less than a month haha</p>

<p>But glad to hear it’s not completely weird/out of the ordinary that I’ve been doing all this!</p>

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<p>Nah. I had pretty much decided I wanted to move to the UK, despite only been in it for around 6 hours once (that I barely remember) when I was 12.</p>

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<p>Good for you for making that a reality a decade later!!</p>