International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
International
Student
Handbook
2020/21
www.lit.ie/international
International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
CONTENTS:
1.       WELCOME & INTRODUCTION                                      4    7.   PRACTICAL INFO                                                   22

         President’s Welcome                                         4         LIT Students’ Union                                              22
         LIT Office of International Services (OIS)                   7        LIT Learning Support Unit                                        22
                                                                               Student Health Unit                                              22
2.       ABOUT LIT                                                   8
                                                                               Student Counselling Services                                     22
         OIS Welcome                                                  8        LIT Chaplancy and Pastoral Care                                  23
         LIT Campuses                                                10        Careers & Employability                                          23
                                                                               Sports & Societies                                               23
3.       NEXT STEPS                                                  12
                                                                               LIT International Society President Note                         24
         Accepting your Offer                                        12
         Supporting Documents                                        12   8. IRELAND                                                           26

         How to Pay                                                  13   9. LIMERICK                                                          30
         Rejecting your Offer, Deferring your Offer or Withdrawing   13   10. CLONMEL & THURLES                                                 32

4. BEFORE YOU ARRIVE                                                 14   11. USEFUL LINKS                                                     36

         Visa                                                        14
         Insurance                                                   14
         Estimated Cost of Living                                    14
         Getting to Limerick                                         16
         Accommodation                                               17

5.       CHECKLIST & TIMELINES                                       18

         Pre-Arrival Checklist                                       18
         Timelines                                                   19

6. AFTER YOU ARRIVE                                                  20

         GNIB                                                        20
         Bank                                                        20
         Phone                                                       21
         Leapcard                                                    21
         PPS Number                                                  21

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
1. WELCOME &                                                              Our programmes are developed in partnership with industry,

   INTRODUCTION
                                                                          professional bodies and the community to give you the
                                                                          best possible employment and academic outcomes.

                                                                          Since 1852, our graduates have been very successful in every
  I am delighted that you are considering LIT for your future.            field of endeavour, from business to the science, technology,
                                                                          public service, engineering, hospitality and tourism, fashion and
  Your future is very important to us and we believe                      the arts. The educational heritage we hold is always adapting
  that in coming here you will also future-proof your                     to the needs of our changing society. We are now on the verge
  professional and personal development.                                  of the next transformation into a Technological University.
                                                                          Be part of that heritage, join us on an exciting journey.
  You’ll be joining LIT at a very exciting time. Already among the most
  vibrant and connected institutions in Ireland, we are rapidly moving
  towards designation as Ireland’s newest Technological University
  through our consortium with AIT. I expect that the class of 2021
  will be the first cohort to join the new Technological University, so   Prof. Vincent Cunnane, President, LIT
  you will play your own unique role in the story of the Technological
  University. Your new university will retain its commitment to small
  class sizes, to a supportive and friendly approach to education, and
  to practical learning. The university will be made up of campuses in
  Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Westmeath, each one a community
  of learners, filled with a very broad diversity of programmes and
  people exploring new ideas, pursuing new knowledge, creating
  new art, and filling our workshops, studios and labs with the                                                         At LIT, we are
  vitality that comes from committing to discovery and creativity.
                                                                                                                        committed to
  As a member of our community, you will know your classmates and                                                       providing you with
  your lecturers. You will get to know many other students through
                                                                                                                        the best resources
  your involvement in our many sports and social clubs. That is why
  LIT scores at the very top of Irish student surveys for friendliness,                                                 and facilities to
  access to lecturers and diversity. This is something that we are very
  proud of and which we will always retain. LIT graduates have the
                                                                                                                        enhance your
  highest employment rate in Ireland outside of Dublin (HEA, 2020).                                                     learning
                                                                                                                        experience.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
LIT Office of International Services:
                                             You will find
                                                                  The Office of International Services (OIS) is the first point of
                                             students from        contact for all incoming international students and provides

                                             83 nationalities     information to students regarding visas, immigration, study
                                                                  abroad programmes and on campus services. Working together
                                             represented          with the academic departments and support services across

                                             across LIT.          the Institute, we seek to promote an intercultural environment
                                                                  and are committed to supporting all students of different
                                                                  nationalities and cultures. The OIS are here to help, providing
                                                                  graduate visa letters, re-entry visa letters and GNIB letters.

                                                                  You can contact the international office

         Graduates from LIT’s                                     at international@lit.ie

         LSAD have worked
         on the set of Game
                                                                  Opening Hours:
         of Thrones, worked                                       Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm | Saturday – Sunday: Closed
         with Marvel and
         some have even
         dressed Beyonce
         & Lady Gaga.

                                             Research students
                                             at LIT worked with
                                             NASA – and one
                                             of their projects
                                             was even sent to
                                             the International
                                             Space Station.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
2. ABOUT LIT
  Congratulations! You have made a major step
  forward in your career by applying for a programme
  here at Limerick Institute of Technology.

  LIT offers the highest graduate employment rate outside of Dublin
  and the lowest cost of living for a major city in Ireland. We are a
  government funded, public Institute of Technology, soon to receive
  University status, located in the 3rd largest city in Ireland.

  A warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere awaits students in LIT
  with approachable and supportive staff to help all students reach
  their highest potential. LIT scores highly on Irish student surveys for
  friendliness, access to lecturers and diversity, compared to many other
  colleges. In LIT, students do not get lost in the crowd and are more than
  just a number, they are part of a connected community of learners.
                                                                                As a student of LIT
  Active learning is our philosophy – we ensure students get the practical      you are eligible for
  skills needed to help them gain employment in the future. We work with
  industry on our course content so you can be assured everything you           Erasmus funding
  are learning is relevant to the employment opportunities available in         which allows you
  Ireland and internationally, once you graduate. We keep our class sizes
  small to ensure every student gets direct access to their lecturer, and       to study a semester
  we have built in, mandatory work placements in most of our courses.
                                                                                abroad with one of our
  We focus on producing ‘Work Ready’ graduates and are
  very proud to have the highest employment rate of any                         European partners,
  Higher Education Institute outside of Dublin.
                                                                                or to complete your
  You, the class of 2021, are in a unique position. When you join us, you       placement anywhere
  will be the first cohort to join Ireland’s newest Technological University.
                                                                                in Europe.
  You are the pathfinders at the start of a new decade and new era.

  The future is yours. Best Wishes,
  LIT Office of International Services

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
LIT Campuses:

Moylish:                                                        Clonmel:
The Moylish Campus is located on the outskirts of               LIT Digital Campus Clonmel is situated in Co. Tipperary,
Limerick city and is the largest of LIT’s campuses.             1 hour from Limerick City. A smaller campus, Clonmel
More than 6,000 students study in the three faculties           provides a relaxed and highly creative learning space for
represented on campus. The campus offers a rich array of        students interested in digital media.
sporting, cultural and educational events and facilities, and
has a proud record of achievement across all faculties.
                                                                Thurles:
                                                                Also located in Co Tipperary, LIT Thurles is a friendly, student-
LSAD:                                                           centred campus environment, incorporating a 200-seater
The Clare Street campus is based in Limerick’s city centre      conference centre, lecture theatres, computer suites, science
and home to our internationally renowned Limerick School        laboratories and specialist games development labs. It also
of Art & Design (LSAD). LSAD is one of the most significant     boasts the cutting-edge LIT SportsLab, a world-standard
providers of art and design education in Ireland. Students      sports strength and conditioning facility.
have access to excellent workshop, studio and exhibition
facilities where they learn from leading art and design
practitioners and where their education is informed by the
latest developments in the wider world of art and design.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
3. NEXT STEPS

  ACCEPTING YOUR OFFER:                                                           HOW TO PAY:

  Once you receive your offer from us you will need to accept                     LIT recommends using Flywire to make payments: » lit.flywire.com
  or decline your offer by emailing international@lit.ie                          When you use Flywire your payment can be tracked which means
                                                                                  LIT can confirm receipt of your payment much quicker than through
  To secure your place on your course of choice you will have 30                  other methods. Benefits of using Flywire can be found » here.
  days after receiving your offer to email international@lit.ie and
  accept your place and pay your €500 deposit. Your place on the                  We also accept payment through direct bank transfer. You can
  course is not secured until this deposit has been received.                     contact international@lit.ie for further details on this.

  This €500 will be deducted from your overall tuition fee and your balance       Please ensure when making payment you quote your application
  should be paid in full before travelling to Ireland to begin your studies.      reference number and your full name as used in your application.

  SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:                                                           REJECTING AN OFFER, DEFERRING
                                                                                  YOUR OFFER OR WITHDRAWING:
  If you have received a conditional offer letter this means you
  have been offered a place based on certain conditions being                     If you wish to reject your offer you should send confirmation to
  met, once these are met you will obtain your full offer letter:                 international@lit.ie. If you wish to defer your place a request can
                                                                                  be sent to international@lit.ie – these requests will be approved
  • English Language Requirement: Evidence that you have met the                  on a case-by-case basis.
   required English Language level should be received by the LIT OIS no
   later than June 1st, 2021. LIT offers pre-sessional English courses to those   LIT offers a full refund up until May 1st each year. Following this date
   who require it.                                                                your €500 deposit is non-refundable.

  • Academic Transcripts: Evidence of your High School results, foundation        In the case of a visa refusal or a medical emergency LIT will refund
   programme results, degree results should be submitted                          students their full fee amount including deposit. In this case students
   as soon as received by you.                                                    must present their refusal letter or medical certificate.

                                                                                  Please note – Students withdrawing from their programme 6 weeks
                                                                                  after the programme start date will not be eligible for a refund.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
4. BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

  VISA:

  Many non-EU students need to apply for a visa to the Embassy of Ireland
  or the Consulate in their home country. This can take 6-12 weeks, so
  it is important to allow plenty of time for this when planning for your
  admission date and to make visa applications well in advance of the start
  of your course. It is the responsibility of students to arrange their own
  visas. Students may not be able to start at LIT if their visa is delayed.
  For complete details of visa requirements and processes, please visit the
  Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service website: » http://inis.gov.ie/

  INSURANCE:

  All students studying in Ireland must acquire medical insurance. Please
  visit »here for details of Medical Insurance Suppliers in Ireland.

  ESTIMATED COST OF LIVING:

  • Accommodation: €550 per month (including utilities)
  • Immigration Registration (GNIB): €300 (paid once per year)
  • Health Insurance for first year: €75 - €150
  • Health Insurance after first year: €190 - €686 (age dependant)
  • Food: €150 per month
  • Social Life: €80 per month
  • For a student studying for 12 months
   the average living cost is: €7,600.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
GETTING TO LIMERICK:                                                 ACCOMMODATION:

Ireland has 3 International airports – Shannon, Dublin & Cork.       LIT does not offer on-campus accommodation. However, we do
LIT offers a free pick-up service for students arriving to Shannon   have a number of recommended student accommodation providers
International Airport on any day and at any time. In order to        that we work closely with:
avail of this service students should complete the Arrival Form.
This should be completed as early as possible and students           Moylish Campus:
should give at least 14 days’ notice of their arrival to LIT OIS.    »Thomond Student Village
                                                                     Just a short walk from campus, buses run throughout
LIT will also offer free transfer from Dublin airport on dedicated   the day from the village to campus.
days. These Dublin Pick Up days will be communicated to you          »Cratloe Student Village
at the beginning of the Summer so you can plan your flights          Just a short walk from campus, buses run throughout
to coincide if you wish.                                             the day from the village to campus.

                                                                     LSAD Campus:
                                                                     »Grove Island
                                                                     Just a short walk from our LSAD campus.
                                                                     »Parkville
                                                                     Close by LSAD campus.

                                                                     Clonmel & Thurles:
                                                                     LIT work with a trusted network of landlords who provide high quality
                                                                     accommodation adjacent to our Tipperary campuses to our students
                                                                     each year. Please contact international@lit.ie for further information
                                                                     on available housing.

                                                                     House Shares:
                                                                     There are house share available for students who are studying
                                                                     at any of our campuses. You will find an accommodation
                                                                     section on our website » www.lit.ie/accomodation

                                                                     Please note: Students should exercise caution when booking
                                                                     accommodation. Do not hand over/send any money to landlords
                                                                     until you are sure it is legitimate. You should also make sure to
                                                                     get a receipt for any deposit/rent paid.

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International Student Handbook 2020/21 - www.lit.ie/international
5. CHECKLIST & TIMELINES

  PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST:                                                     TIMELINES:

  → Plan your journey – book your flights and plan transport to              30 days after offer: You should have paid your €500 deposit
       Limerick if not arriving on allocated pick-up days.                   to secure your place on this course, please note that there is no
                                                                             guarantee that your place will be secure until this is received.
  → Make sure to inform LIT of your arrival details & accommodation
       14 days prior to travel!                                              May 1st: Last date for full refund.

  → Confirm arrival time and date with your accommodation provider.
                                                                             May 31st: Ensure all outstanding documents have been received
       (Note: Move in times are generally between 9am – 5pm Monday to
                                                                             by LIT OIS e.g. English Language Test, Transcripts etc.
       Friday. If arriving outside these times you may be required to book
       alternative accommodation.)                                           June 1st: If coming from a country where a visa is required to enter
                                                                             Ireland you should have your full fee paid by this date to ensure you
  → Don’t forget your Passport!
                                                                             have enough time for the visa process. You should also purchase
  → Personal Medical supplies & comfort foods from home                      your health insurance at this point.
       (some things may not be available in Ireland)
                                                                             June: Students from visa countries should begin their visa process
  → Unlocked Mobile Phone                                                    in June to ensure they have enough time for the full process

  → Printed Documentation:
                                                                             July: Source & finalise accommodation
       • LIT Offer Letter
       • Proof of medical insurance                                          August: Book flights & Complete your arrival form. At this time
                                                                             you should also ensure you have checked everything off on your
  → Research the Irish Currency – get to know the exchange rate
                                                                             pre-arrival checklist
       so you will be familiar when you arrive.
                                                                             Before August 29th: Travel to Ireland to ensure you are here in
  → And don’t forget to pack a rain jacket!
                                                                             time to begin classes in September and attend Orientation
                                                                             on August 30th!

                                                                             September: Begin your future at LIT!

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6. AFTER YOU ARRIVE

  GNIB:                                                                     PHONE:

  All non-Irish nationals, who are not citizens of the EU/EEA must          Be sure to unlock your phone before travelling to Ireland.
  register in person with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)      3 Mobile are the most popular Irish phone network for
  after arrival and after completion of registration at your third level    students. They offer a €20 per month plan, for which you will
  institution. The GNIB will issue you with a residence permit/ IRP card.   receive the ‘unlimited package’ - unlimited calls, texts and data.
  All International students will be given a GNIB letter and
  appointment from the OIS. You will be required to renew                   We advise students to get their phone ‘unblocked’
  your GNIB/IRP each year you are studying in Ireland                       ahead of traveling to Ireland.

  For your GNIB appointment you will be required to bring:                  The Office of International Services will advise you on
       • Valid Passport                                                     how to register with 3 Mobile during Orientation.
       • Letter of Confirmation from LIT OIS
       • €300 fee (must be paid with a Debit/Credit card)
       • Evidence of Private Health Insurance                               LEAPCARD:
       • Evidence of Accommodation
       • Evidence of Financial Support (Bank Statement etc.)
                                                                            The Student Leap Card is the national student travel and discount
                                                                            card. The card saves students money on public transport services
                                                                            as well as selected retail brand partners. Students can apply online
  BANK:                                                                     and collect their card from one of their nominated agents.

  To open a bank account with in Ireland, students will
  need to have proof of ID and proof of address.                            PPS NUMBER:
  A bank letter with a proof of address will be given to
                                                                            While in Ireland you can work part time during your studies & full time
  students in their registration pack during Orientation.
                                                                            during summer and Christmas Holidays. The PPS office will require a Job
                                                                            offer letter in order to issue you with a PPS number. LIT OIS can issue you
  The Office of International Services will then advise you
                                                                            with a support letter for your job search but please note that you will need
  on how to go about setting up a bank account.
                                                                            a letter from your prospective employer to apply for your PPS number.

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7. PRACTICAL INFO                                                             LIT Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
                                                                              LIT has a Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator based in LIT Limerick and a
                                                                              Chaplain based in LIT Tipperary, whose services are available to
                                                                              students of all religious denominations and of none. This service is
  LIT Students’ Union                                                         available to help any member of LIT and has four main areas of support:
  The Students’ Union acts as an additional support mechanism for             Pastoral Care, Community, Spirituality and other general duties.
  students offering a wide variety of services and information such as
  accommodation, travel, and finance. The SU is a platform to allow
  you to have fun, develop as a student, have your voice heard and help       Careers & Employability
  keep you safe by building awareness and support around welfare.             The Careers and Employability Services Centre provides
                                                                              students and recent graduates of LIT with support and advice
                                                                              on Careers, Employability Skills and Work Placement
  LIT Learning Support Unit
  Our Learning Support Unit (LSU) is acknowledged nationally as a
  distinctive and valuable feature of LIT’s Teaching and Learning Strategy.   Sports & Societies
  The LSU provides learning support on request from the student. The          Alongside a vibrant academic environment, LIT boasts a lively

  LSU provides tuition in course subjects, Study Skills, Exam Techniques,     sports, clubs and societies scene, ensuring that many interests are

  Academic Writing, Maths, Computing and English as a Second Language.        catered for and all students are encouraged to get involved in the
                                                                              numerous extra-curricular activities across the campuses. Clubs and
                                                                              societies play an important role in college life, and we recognise the
  Student Health Unit                                                         positive impact that sport and activity has on physical and mental
  A free, confidential nursing service is available to all                    wellbeing. Included in these societies is LITs International Society.
  full-time registered students at LIT. Institute Doctors
  are available to students at specific times.

  Student Counselling Services
  LIT offers a free, confidential and professional counselling
  service to all registered students. The student counselling
  service is staffed by highly qualified and experienced
  psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors.

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LIT International Society
President Note:

My name is Ian and I’m from Malaysia.
I believe that comfort kills all kinds of creativity, therefore I think we
should always try to seek discomfort and say yes to new adventures.
I have always been the type of person to challenge the norm and
be extraordinary. If I was a penguin, I would want to be that one
penguin that could fly. I came to Ireland 4 years ago all on my own
and I’ve learnt a lot and now I’m still striving to learn more.

All international students coming to Ireland, you are already making
an epic decision to seek discomfort and move to a different country
to study. The International Society will act as a medium where all
students from different countries of various cultures can connect
and learn about one another. In my opinion, learning what makes
us different and finding common ground among cultures that are
located half-way across the world is such a gift. The International
Society will be a bridge that unites us all.

                                                After all, what
                                                is a stranger?
                                                A stranger is
                                                merely a f riend
                                                we haven’t
                                                met yet!

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8. IRELAND
  Ireland is widely known as one of the friendliest,
  and welcoming countries in the world! In fact, the
  Irish for Welcome is Cead Mile Failté (pronounced
  Kay-Ed Meela Fall-cha) which literally translates
  to ‘a hundred thousand welcomes’.

  We are a country seeped in history & tradition – a small island nation,      WILD ATLANTIC WAY

  with a population of under 5 million people located on the western-
  most tip of Europe – and yet our culture is celebrated all over the world.

  Some of the world’s biggest Tech & Pharma companies have based
  their European Headquarters in Ireland - and one of the main reasons
  that they are attracted to Ireland is because they have access to a highly
  educated workforce due to Ireland’s world class education system! This                                      IRELAND
                                                                                                                                   DUBLIN
  is fantastic news for our students because it means there are amazing                                                            AIRPORT
  graduate job opportunities available to them right on their doorstep.

  You will never be short of places to visit in Ireland from the
  extraordinary Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare right across the                                  SHANNON
                                                                                               AIRPORT
  country to Temple Bar in Ireland’s Capital City Dublin, there
  is a long list of places to tick off your bucket list. Whether you                                               Thurles
  are looking for tourist spots, good food, nightlife, festivals,                                  Limerick
  sporting events or Museums – Ireland will not disappoint.                                                       Clonmel

  Ireland is known as the gateway to Europe, studying in
  Ireland means you will have easy access to all the major cities
  in Europe – what better way to spend a long weekend than
  hopping on a flight and exploring Madrid or Berlin?

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You can even earn some extra money to explore by working part
time – International Students studying in Ireland can work 20 hours                             St. Patrick’s day is
per week during term time and 40 hours during holidays!
                                                                                                celebrated in over 50
                                                                                                countries every year - It
Still not convinced? These Instagram accounts are guaranteed
                                                                                                is celebrated in more
to make you fall in love with the Emerald Isle:
                                                                                                countries than any
»Limerick.ie                                                                                    other national festival.
»Wild Atlantic Way

»Tourism Ireland

»Discover Ireland
                                                                                                The longest place name in
                                                                                                the English Language is
                                                                                                Muckanaghederdauhaulia
                                                                                                – a small village in
                                                                                                Connemara, Co Galway.

                                                                      The Cliffs of Moher can
                                                                      be seen in the movie
                                                                      Harry Potter and the
                                                                      Half Blood Prince and
                                                                      the Princess Bride

                                                                                                Halloween
                                                                                                originated in
                                                                                                Ireland.

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9. LIMERICK
                                                                                                  Limerick city
  Limerick is located in the Mid West of Ireland. It is a young,                                  was founded
  warm, welcoming and vibrant city – and with 3 major colleges                                    in 812 by the
  located here almost 50% of our population is under 30, with
  1 in 5 of every person in Limerick being a student in Higher
                                                                                                  Vikings, making
  Education. It is a very student orientated city – and has even been                             it one of Ireland’s
  recognised by UNESCO as a centre for learning excellence.
                                                                                                  oldest cities.
  In 2017 Limerick was voted European City of the Future. We are
  the commercial capital of the mid-west region and are in the top
  10 cities in ALL OF EUROPE for attracting investment, growth
  and opportunity! Think of all the cities across Europe – Paris,
                                                                               Limerick
  Rome, Berlin, London, Madrid – Limerick is among the top 10!
                                                                               city is the
  One of the most attractive points about Limerick city is our living
                                                                               birthplace of
  costs. We are 50% more affordable to live in than Dublin and 20% more
  affordable than Cork & Galway. It means students who choose Limerick         The Cranberries.
  as their study destination do not need to give up anything – they
  will get a great city life, with part time job opportunities and all at an
  affordable price – and that’s not something that every city can offer!

  Limerick is perfectly located – we are very central and are just a short
  journey from Ireland’s other major cities (just an hour from Galway,
  over an hour from Cork and 2 hours from Dublin). We are all connected
  by bus and train services so students coming to study in Limerick
  have the opportunity to travel all across Ireland during their studies.

  Just an hours drive from our Moylish campus you will find the
  »Cliffs of Moher – one of Ireland’s most famous tourist destinations.
  In fact Limerick City is a the gateway city to the » Wild Atlantic Way,
  which was named as one of the worlds best roadtrips by Lonely Planet.

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10. CLONMEL & THURLES

  Clonmel

  Clonmel is situated in the south of the county in the heart of the Golden
  Vale. With a population of almost 20,000, Clonmel town has numerous
  cafés, restaurants and lively pubs, and offers plenty of amenities for
  students living locally. It has excellent road and rail links with the cities
  of Limerick, Cork and Dublin and is home to a thriving industrial hub
  serving the beverage, food and pharmaceutical industries. If you enjoy
  the great outdoors, Clonmel is perfectly located in a valley surrounded
  by mountains and hills including the Comeraghs and Slievenamon.

  After a hard day’s work in college, clear the head and take in the
  beautiful Suir Blueway Tipperary, with 21km of the 53km route accessible
  by bike or foot. You can follow the towpath from Clonmel to Carrick
  on Suir and take in the superb scenery along the route. In addition,
  there are watersport activities at various points along the river.

  For more information on things to see and do in Clonmel,
  please visit the following website: » www.clonmel.ie

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Thurles

Located at the heart of Ireland’s famed Suir Valley,
Thurles is a bustling and lively town surrounded by the
mountains of the Silvermines and Slieveardagh.

It enjoys transport links with Limerick City approximately 40 minutes
to one hour away. The population of the town itself is around 10,000
but it serves a populous rural hinterland and is a key centre within
the network of towns that make up Ireland’s Mid-West Region.

The thriving centre of the town of Thurles has all of the retail
and commercial facilities that a modern student requires.
As the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
Thurles is at the very heart of the history of Irish sport.
It’s GAA ground, Semple Stadium, is Ireland’s second
largest sports arena with a capacity for 60,000 people,
second only to Croke Park Stadium, Dublin.

Thurles boasts many excellent cultural and recreational facilities
including The Source Arts Centre, Tipperary’s most exciting cultural
& entertainment venue presenting music, dance, comedy, film,
children’s events, visual art & more. Horse racing, soccer, rugby,
cycling, golf, angling, hockey and swimming are all catered for.

Thurles’s place at the heart of Irelands’ sporting heritage is one of
the key reasons that LIT located its dedicated Sports Campus here
– along with its state-of-the-art sports and fitness facilities.

For more information on things to see and do in Thurles,
please visit the following website: » www.thurles.ie

34   |   LIT International Student Handbook                             LIT International Student Handbook   |   35
11. USEFUL LINKS

  LIMERICK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:                                            USEFUL APPS IN IRELAND:
                                                                               (search for these in your IOS or App Store)
  • LIT Official Website: » ww.lit.ie
  • LIT Health Unit: »www.lit.ie/student-health
                                                                               • UberEats – for all your takeaway needs
  • LIT Careers & Employability: » www.lit.ie/careers-employability
                                                                               • JustEat – another app to help with those pizza cravings

                                                                               • Met Eireann – Irelands weather app – always helpful to know if you
  LEARN MORE ABOUT LIMERICK & IRELAND:
                                                                                need to bring an umbrella or not
  • Limerick.ie: » www.limerick.ie
  • Discover Ireland: » www.discoverireland.ie                                 • Free Now – Uber isn’t available in Ireland but FreeNow can be used
                                                                                for all your taxi needs

                                                                               • Ireland Travel Guide – Plan your adventures around Ireland
  INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONS STUDENTS:
                                                                               • Entertainment.ie – keep up to date with cinema listings, concerts
  • Irish Council for International Students: » www.internationalstudents.ie
                                                                                & events happening in your area
  • Education in Ireland: » www.educationinireland.com/en
                                                                               • Ryanair.ie – have a long weekend coming up? Why not book
                                                                                a last minute flight to Paris?
  TRAVEL:
  • Irish Rail: »www.irishrail.ie
  • Leapcard: »www.studentleapcard.ie
  • Bus Eireann: »www.buseireann.ie

  VISA & OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
  • INIS (Visa & Immigration): » www.inis.gov.ie
  • Embassies in Ireland: » www.dfa.ie/embassies/embassies-in-ireland
  • PPS: »www.gov.ie/en/service/12e6de-get-a-
       personal-public-service-pps-number/#apply

  36   |   LIT International Student Handbook                                                                                    LIT International Student Handbook   |   37
Moylish, Limerick
T: +353 61 293000
E: international@lit.ie
W: www.lit.ie/international-study

 LITInternational         @LIT_IntOffice  LimerickIT    LITInternational
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