Moving abroad for your exchange can lead to culture shock, which can be described as the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. Ireland is a wonderful study destination. If you would like to study abroad in Ireland, it will be a very rewarding semester. Here are some tips for international students studying in UCD that you may find useful before you pack your bags.
Language
First things first, the language; don't over complicate it. Do not translate everything word for word, into your mother tongue. You just have to learn what “whats the craic” means. Don't worry about getting words wrong. When attempting to speak English, the Irish have a sense of humor ingrained in their DNA and will laugh openly with you when you make mistakes.
Even though everyone speaks English there are still parts of the country considered Gaeltacht regions that speak Irish, mainly in the west of Ireland. Locals will also speak English as some of these places rely on tourism for revenue and not all Irish speak Gaelige.
Accents in Ireland differ from county to county. This will take some getting used to, particularly for those going to Kerry, Cork, and some areas of Dublin. Irish people are used to tourists and generally don't mind repeating themselves if needed.
Mannerisms
A surprise is how often the Irish apologise and say “sorry.” Whether they bump into you on the street or whatever, you’ll likely be on the receiving end of many Irish apologies throughout your stay. As a traveler in Ireland, it’s important to mirror this and also be very polite, using “please” “thank you” and “sorry.”
People in Ireland are so friendly! The bartenders, waiters, and even just people you meet are so helpful; they will stop what they are doing to help you or make recommendations of local things to see and eat.
Nightlife
Those who want to brave the pub culture will find it easier to have social engagements with local Irish, but make sure to learn the rules of drinking etiquette and be careful about walking around Dublin alone at night time. Caution should always be exercised in any major city.
As the home of Guinness, pub culture is popular in Ireland. The alcohol consumption age is 18 and alcohol forms a big part of the social and nightlife scene.
International students should be sure to do their research when looking for a place to eat. There are plenty of fine-dining restaurants in Irish cities, but take note that not all places serve food and, after a certain time, almost every pub, bar or club will serve only drinks.
The dress code for a night out depends on the venue. For men, jeans are generally accepted. However, certain places will refuse a person entry if they are wearing trainers. A decent pair of work shoes and a button-up shirt is acceptable almost everywhere. The ladies in Ireland dress to impress and revealing clothing will be seen in all age groups, which could come as a slight shock for some. Teenagers tend to dress more provocatively, and wear a lot of makeup, and this can be alarming for international students from conservative regions.
Everything seems to center around the local pub, with a 6 drink minimum, and everyone usually ends up ‘in a hoop’ the next day.
Weather
The lack of sun can take a toll. Get away during the summer for a holiday somewhere hot. We Irish have a special relationship with the weather. We love to talk about it, watch it on the TV and google it. It's raining one day, dry the next, then sun and wind, rain and wind, and a favourite, sun wind and hailstones all at once. You could need a raincoat, sun cream and gloves all in one day. Don't bother with an umbrella, the wind doesn't allow for it. However, the Irish mammy loves a bit of wind and rushes to put everything on the clothes line because it's a grand day for drying.
Transport
Transport is confusing. Time tables do not correspond with the arrivals. The buses and trains don't line up schedule wise. Rush hour buses will not stop for you, even if you’re stand out in the bitter cold. You need exact change or a Leapcard for the bus, cash is not accepted and this is a hard lesson everyone will learn.
Socialising
The Irish are incredibly polite in their speaking and are very subtle. If you adopt their speaking style it will be much easier for you to communicate. The Irish will quiz you to death if you let them. If they think you are living in Ireland short term, they may be uninterested in making a connection. However, once you are a friend, they will place very high value on your friendship and will treat you accordingly. If you are in crisis, they will do anything for you to help. The Irish will spend quality time with you as a friend and you will feel welcome and at home. Tea is the national drink and any problem can be solved over a ‘cuppa’ and a few digestives.
Some final words; there are good international clubs, UCD has a large percentage of international students. Staying connected by internet to friends at home helps with homesickness, also joining one of the international clubs to hear your own accent again can be a comfort.
Taking lots of pictures is a great way to find joy in the local surroundings. You can get lots of great pictures in Dublin as there is so much architecture to look at and many good parks. Dublin has many cultures and you can find food, restaurants, etc. from a surprising number of cultures and countries.
All in all your experience in Ireland will be a positive one. You will learn a lot and make many new friends who will only be too happy to come visit you in the summer.