<p>Hey guys-</p>
<p>So i'm debating about studying abroad in dublin (with ies) at the university college dublin and I need some advice. I really know nothing about Dublin and want some real (personal) opinions and feedback on what Dublin is like and if it's a good place to study abroad, more specifically what it is like to live there. I know that it's obvisouly going to be great because anywhere in Europe is fabulous, but all I'm hearing is baised feedback from my dad who travels for work their and obvisouly wants me to go. So some real help / advice would be awesome - and I want honest advice too, so if you don't recommend it, tell me! Thanks!
~J</p>
<p>Honestly, I have no idea what the SA is like, but I've been to Ireland about 10 times in my life and I have to say that DUBLIN is incredible. The rest of Ireland is not nearly as developed or modernized, but i think I would be a great idea to study abroad there. The people of Dublin are shockingly diverse, but there is little diversity in other parts of Ireland. I strongly recommend you give it a try.</p>
<p>I was in Dublin over the summer and really didn't like it. The Irish people were very nice but I thought the city was fairly boring. A lot of people really like Dublin but it didn't do much for me.</p>
<p>We visited Dublin over the summer for the primary purpose of visiting Trinity College and University College Dublin. One difference that we noted is that living on campus is almost impossible at Trinity College and possible only for those coming from farther reaches of Ireland or international at UCD. Both have off-campus living sites from which students take the bus usually (sometimes the LUAS) to get to campus. Also a big difference is that meal plans are not offered--it's pay as you go and self-catering, which means that students are expected to cook for themselves. Also students generally seem to live alone in very small rooms. I got the impression that going to college in Ireland is not a "social destination" the way that it is here in the U.S. I'm not sure what the social life would be like--we were told that there were a lot of clubs to join, and that was about it.</p>
<p>Dublin is smaller than most people realize and fairly easy to get around, although parts are very congested. Life in general is a bit slower in Ireland, although it is becoming more and more "Americanized" with each visit. Theatre and pub life are vibrant in Dublin. </p>
<p>If there's some particular question you have, please post as we have looked at this rather extensively because DS wants to go all 4 years to college in Ireland.</p>