<p>Greetings, I am currently a third year student at a big ten school here in the states. I’ve been accepted at the Dublin Institute of Technology in Dublin, Ireland for the Spring '07 semester. I will be taking 16 credit hours at DIT, all of which will transfer back here and apply toward my academic progress.</p>
<p>I had planned on going with a friend of mine, but he was rejected due to a low GPA. I’m now debating if I should go by myself to Ireland and have some questions for those of you with kids either in school currently, or have kids who have done study abroad in the past:</p>
<li><p>Did your child go alone? Did they feel like an ‘outsider’ since they knew nobody at their destination?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the best way to handle the conversion rate? Ireland uses euro currency and I’m thinking I can get away with using my debit card and letting the bank handle the transaction instead of buying currency. Is this the best course of action?</p></li>
<li><p>Any tips?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I would say you might even have a better experience if you attend the school by yourself. You will be more open to make new acquaintances and gain new experiences outside of your comfort zone.</p>
<p>Most debit cards will work overseas, you can check with your bank to make sure that it's compatible. You will get the most favorable exchange rate by using your debit card instead of actually buying currency and having to pay a %. I would also have a second source of emergency cash such as a credit card with a pin# and the opportunity for a cash advance in case of emergency.</p>
<p>My D did a summer program in Ireland a couple years ago. Much less time than you will be there, of course. She was nervous about going someplace where she didn't know anyone, but she found out that the Irish on the whole love Americans, plus she met many other international students from other countries. She had a blast--it's a wonderful country.</p>
<p>She carried some travelers checks, but mostly used her debit card.</p>
<p>I think you could get a lot more out of the experience if you go alone. I'm a student in the UK and I lived with some exchange students last year and they spent their time with friends from their country and generally living like they were back home. However, this year I've made friends with a girl from Canada who is over here totally alone and is immersing herself in lots of activities, meeting loads of new people and doing a lot more than my flatmates last year.
Ireland is a great country and you shouldn't pass up such a great chance because you won't immediately know someone there.</p>
<p>Converting some euros for when you are travelling over there would probably be handy, but you should be fine other than that in Ireland I think.</p>
<p>D is currently away in Edinburgh on a study abroad program (given through her school) traveling with 14 other students and a professor. She will be taking 2 courses through the university and one course taught by the professor. </p>
<p>I think you will be okay by your self. If you are out going you will meet and make friends with other students. In addition, once you are there you can do weekend hops to other places.</p>
<p>Got a some brithish pounds before leaving so that she would have some pocket money for cabs from the airport. Left home with 2 charge cards & debit card which she will use for major purchases . She banks here at Bank of america and there at the royal bank of scotland and so far everything has been great.</p>
<p>Try checking fares on STA travel which gives really good rates. have a great time</p>
<p>The Republic of Ireland requires that students staying for longer than a certain period of time (I think either 6 or 8 weeks) to show "adequate financial means" so as not to become a burden on the state. In general, to get an extended student ID card, you have to show the police in the city where you go to school (they act like immigration) proof that you have sufficient funds to take care of yourself for an extended period. Generally, funds in a US bank don't count, you will need to open an Irish bank account and you will have to transfer in a certain amount of money (varies by police district but can be between 1000-2000 Euros). Using your debit card won't work for that amount of money so you are going to need to arrive with cash, traveler's checks, or debit every day at whatever max amount is (usually 150-200 US) until you get "adequate amount" (whatever that police district has determined is adequate). Another means of showing this is by a letter from your University showing that they will be giving you a substantial amount of financial aid. </p>
<p>If you are going to Ireland through an organization here in the states or through your own university, they can give you more info on this. If you are a direct applicant to the University, contact their International Students office and they will give you info. Republic of Ireland operates a bit differently than either Great Britain or Continental Europe for International Students.</p>