Study Abroad - 2021 LIMERICK, IRELAND - UWEC Study Abroad + Immersions
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EAU CLAIRE
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Study Abroad
LIMERICK, IRELAND
2021
Program GuideTABLE OF CONTENTS Visas for Travel to Other Countries .............. 13
Packing Tips ........................................................ 13
Academics .............................................................. 5
Weather ............................................................ 13
Pre-departure Planning ..................................... 5
Clothing............................................................. 13
Registration at Limerick .................................... 5
Getting To Ireland ............................................... 13
Reporting Your Registration (semester only) 5
Travel Arrangements ...................................... 13
Class Attendance ............................................... 6
Buying a Changeable Ticket ......................... 13
Class Schedule .................................................. 6
Going Through Immigration & Customs
UL & UWEC Transcripts ................................... 6
(semester students) ........................................ 14
Irish Academic System ..................................... 6
Getting to Limerick the City & University ..... 14
Service Learning (semester only) ................... 9
Early, Late or Delayed Arrival ....................... 14
Money Matters........................................................ 9
Settling In ............................................................. 14
Cost Estimate ..................................................... 9
Orientation: Semester students .................... 15
Housing Costs .................................................... 9
Orientation: Summer students ...................... 15
Currency Exchange ......................................... 10
On-Site Support............................................... 15
Cost of Living .................................................... 10
Student Clubs & Organizations..................... 15
Credit Cards and ATMs .................................. 10
Activities/Events .............................................. 15
Health & Safety .................................................... 10
Volunteer (semester students) ...................... 15
Centers for Disease Control ........................... 10
Other Campus Services ................................. 16
STIs at UL ......................................................... 10
Housing................................................................. 16
Healthcare ......................................................... 10
Summer Students: Housing .......................... 16
Services for Students with Disabilities .......... 11
Semester Students: Housing ........................ 16
CISI Insurance in X.......................................... 11
What's Provided? ............................................ 18
Safety in Ireland ............................................... 11
Rainbow Housing ............................................ 18
LGBTQIA+ Traveler......................................... 11
Internet Access................................................ 18
Resources for Victims of Sexual Violence ... 11
Laundry ............................................................. 18
Emergency Contacts ....................................... 11
Meals: Semester Students ............................ 19
911 Equivalent in Ireland ................................ 11
Meals: Summer Students .............................. 19
Required Documents........................................... 12
Traditional Irish Foods to Try ........................ 19
Visa .................................................................... 12
Communication ................................................... 19
Semester Students: Irish Immigration/
Time Difference ............................................... 19
Registration ....................................................... 12
Email/Internet Access..................................... 20
Summer Students: Irish Immigration ............ 13
Landline Phone Information .......................... 20Cell Phone Information ................................... 20 Contact Information ............................................ 22 Calling from the U.S.: ...................................... 20 Web Information: Ireland ................................... 23 Snail Mail ........................................................... 20 City .................................................................... 23 Travel While Abroad ............................................ 20 Culture .............................................................. 23 Organized Travel ............................................. 20 Country ............................................................. 23 Bus, Train & Air Travel .................................... 20 Past Participant Tips: ..................................... 24
Congratulations on being accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC)
study abroad program with the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland. Living and studying in a new
culture is both an exciting and a challenging experience. Past participants of study abroad report that
the many advantages of international study include:
Gaining new perspectives on a chosen academic field
Increasing understanding of different cultures
Enhancing personal development
Developing different perspectives on U.S. culture
Gaining self-confidence and independence
Learning skills for the future international job market
It is up to you to determine how you can best benefit from these possible advantages. This is your
adventure!
Use this program-specific guide with the more general resources in your BlugoldsAbroad account.
While this guide contains the information available at the time of publication, it is impossible for any
single resource to answer all of your questions. Your peer advisor will email information throughout the
semester, and we encourage you to do your own research, also, using the web resources listed
towards the end of this guide, as well as others that you find. Contact the Center for International
Education (CIE) staff or your peer advisor with your specific questions.
Questions only you can answer include:
1) What are YOUR goals for this experience? Advancement in a future profession, desire to expand
personal and academic horizons, need for a change, and wish to challenge yourself in a new
environment?
2) How can you best prepare to meet your goals within the context of this program? For example, if one
of your goals is truly being immersed in Irish culture, yet you are going with a group of UWEC students,
how can you ensure that you do not spend too much time with other Americans?
The information in this guide was current at the time of publication, though changes may occur at any
time.
4ACADEMICS prerequisites for the individual subjects,
scheduling constraints, and ceilings on
The Academics section of the Study Abroad
Handbook has more information on: enrollments.
• registration at UW-Eau Claire and Summer: You will indicate the top five courses
abroad on your Limerick application form. Limerick will
• class attendance confirm your registration around April 1. Most
• credits & course-load
students usually get into their first choice, but it
• integrative learning
• transcripts can be good to have backups in mind.
• service learning
Pre-departure Planning Reporting Your Registration
Please see the UL Academic Planning Guide (semester only)
on the UWEC Limerick Academics page for As soon as you confirm your final registration at
details on how to plan your courses at UL, UL, log in to your UW-Eau Claire online
including information on finding courses, credits study abroad account and complete the
and course-load, and grade conversion. Course Descriptions questionnaire. You will
find it at
https://studyabroad.apps.uwec.edu/index.cfm?F
Registration at Limerick
useAction=Abroad.Home. Choose LOGIN from
Semester: During the Limerick program
the top toolbar and login with your UWEC
application, you will indicate modules you are
username and password.
interested in taking. You will not finalize your
registration until after arrival at UL, and it is If a course you are taking is not already in the
possible that some of your first-choice modules UWEC Transfer Wizard, you will need to
will be full. It is important to identify alternate provide the following information:
courses. • course title
• course number
It is difficult to get into physical education
• course description
courses at UL, and that equestrian skills
• number of credits
(riding) classes are limited to those students
• name of the department you would like
in the equestrian science major.
credit in
Once equivalencies have been established by all
During orientation at UL, you will get a list of department chairs involved, the courses will be
classes that are available to study abroad posted to the Transfer Credit Wizard, and you
students. After looking over this list and will be able to see them there.
comparing it with your course equivalency
sheet, you will decide on 7-10 classes. For the Equivalency timeline: The process of
next two weeks, you have the opportunity to go determining an equivalency can take four to six
to that many classes and try them out to see weeks. In other words, you will most likely not
which ones you like and which ones you don’t. be able to ask to have equivalencies
At the end of those two weeks, you officially established for 6-8 courses so that you can
register with the University of Limerick. choose which one you wish to take.
Registration is subject to academic
5Class Attendance Irish Academic System
You are required to follow the UL attendance. In The Irish system encourages students to
general, you are expected to attend all regularly develop through independent learning. As
scheduled classes and field trips unless illness such, your learning is much less prescribed
or other unavoidable circumstances make this
than it is in the United States: the professor will
impossible. Absences must be approved in
not specifically tell you what to read/study and
advance by the instructor and may result in
when do it. As a student
lower grades.
• It is your job to pick the materials you
want to read from the class reading list
Class Schedule and pace your learning
Semester: Each class usually has lectures
• You will not have regular
twice a week for about an hour each time, and
assignments/quizzes to make sure that
then there is a tutorial/discussion section.
you are keeping up with your work.
However, the lectures and tutorials don’t meet
• You are expected to do your own
at the same time every day in the same place.
reading and will be assessed one or two
You need to pay careful attention to your
times in the semester.
schedule the first few weeks to be sure you
make it to all lectures and tutorials.
Most courses at UL are taught in the traditional
method of lecture and tutorial common in the
Summer: Being this program is so condensed U.K. and Ireland. Both the lecture and the
and you are only taking one course, you can
tutorial play an important yet different role in
expect to be in class a few hours each day. On
student learning.
top of that, there may be tutorials or tours that
you have to participate in. Each summer course
Lectures: Like in the U.S., the lecture allows
is different.
lecturers (professors) to pass important
information to many students. However, you will
UL & UWEC Transcripts be expected to take notes; handouts with
Please see the Academics section of the Study lecture notes will not be provided. Also, lectures
Abroad Handbook for important information if offer less opportunity to ask questions; you ask
you are graduating, transferring or applying questions and discuss the topic in the tutorial.
for a competitive major such as Nursing or
Education at the end of your term abroad. Lectures are not intended to tell you everything
you need to know for the test or assignment.
A UL transcript with Irish grades is sent to Instead, they provide an overview to allow you
UWEC, 2-3 months after the end of the UL to place your course material or readings in
semester or summer. Because UL grades will context or to focus on a difficult concept or
arrive later than the end of the UWEC semester theory. To best learn from lectures, keep up
or summer, your MyBlugold CampS account with course reading and come to lecture
will initially indicate “NR” (not reported). This will prepared. You will then be able to engage
be changed once the transcript arrives. and ask questions in the tutorials.
6Tutorials/discussion groups: Tutorials, or In some courses, you may not hand in any work
discussion groups as they are also called, are until the last few weeks of the term. At this
NOT mini-lectures. They are active learning point, you will probably be asked to hand in 5-
opportunities where the lecturer and students 15-page essays or papers. You often receive
discuss the material covered in lecture and in the essay questions with your syllabus at the
the reading you are doing outside of class. beginning of the semester. Start writing early!
They require active student participation. This
means you: Below, past students talk about the major
• must have read assigned and suggested differences they encountered between UW-Eau
work in advance Claire and UL.
• should be prepared to contribute to the
discussion Grading: "The grading is a lot different. The
• make note of any difficult concepts or points assessment for most classes is to
from lectures or your readings that you do attend/participate in tutorial sessions, write one
not understand essay, and have a final. The entire grade for my
• should raise issues for discussion. science class is the final exam."
Tutorials are not optional. Attendance is kept, Scheduling: "Irish students' schedules (or
and absences are noted. A benefit of tutorials is timetables) are a lot more rigid than ours. They
that they allow for closer professor/student get their timetable at the beginning of the
relationships than are typically found at the semester, and those are the classes they must
undergraduate level in the U.S. take. If they fail, they can re-take the final. It
would be really hard to re-take a class because
Advanced planning and independent they have another set schedule for the next
learning: semester."
At the beginning of a course, you will likely be
given a long reading list. This is not a required "The university schedules are not organized like
reading list: it is a list of suggested readings ours are. By this, I mean that they don’t have a
that will expand your knowledge of the subject class at the same time every day, in the same
area. What you actually read is mostly left up to place. For example, I had my science class on
you. If you are told that “You may wish to Monday at 10 in one building, on Wednesday at
look at these specific titles,” take that as a 11 in another, and on Thursday at 2 in another
strong hint to read those books. You should room. There are no 1:00 MWF classes.
also browse through several of the others and
choose two or three to read carefully. These Classes: "Each class usually meets with the
readings will form the basis of your professor/lecturer twice a week for about an
contributions to tutorial discussions, as well as hour each time. (In Ireland, not everyone is
for the essays that serve as the graded work for called "professor" – you have to earn that title,
the course. so most are referred to as lecturers.) Then,
each class also has a discussion section, or
Assessment: at UL, you will rarely find a tutorial. ATTEND THESE. They are where you
lecturer who gives short, weekly assignments.
7really learn/discuss the material and can ask important thing is that you CITE YOUR
questions." SOURCES CORRECTLY. Here are some tips
for you:
Teachers: “You have a lecture (with a "lecturer"
not professor, professor is a very formal term in 1) You must use scholarly sources. If you are
Ireland and isn't used often) where you take familiar with JSTOR, that will give you
notes, and then a tutorial where you discuss the access to an endless amount of scholarly
module content in a smaller group setting. The journal articles.
tutorials are how professors take attendance
and are super helpful!!” 2) When using Microsoft Word, become
familiar with using footnotes at the bottom of
Assignments: "Typically you will not get any each page. This is something I learned how
daily/weekly assignments. The lecturer will to do while abroad. Most papers will require
recommend that you read certain things, but the use of footnotes.
there will be no quiz or assignment that is due
along with it. You still need to do the reading— 3) Get a copy, from the library at UL, of the
most lecturers teach using the Socratic Method, pamphlet that tells you how to correctly cite
meaning that they call on you in class and ask sources.
you to explain something from the reading to
everyone else. Also, it is expected that you will 4) Overall, if you use scholarly sources and
use ideas from it in your mid-terms and final cite them in the correct format, you are
exams. You will learn a lot about Irish culture halfway to earning an A.
from reading journals, books and other
literature." 5) Be careful of using the FIRST PERSON in
essays. Lecturers usually discourage the
Homework: "Since there isn’t homework use of the first person when assigning
throughout the semester, Irish students claim essays."
that they slack off a lot early in the semester,
but it seemed to me that they worked very hard Exams: "The exams are essay style, and you
throughout. Most classes don’t have a required will typically only have a midterm (semester)
attendance (they aren’t graded on it) so many and a final. They are different from exams here.
don’t go—or so they say. It seemed like they You will be given a list of questions or essay
went to the classes I was in." topics, and you will get to choose which ones
you want to write about. You will have two
"No homework sounds great, but if you don't hours to finish the exam and you need that
keep up with the reading it can come back to entire two hours to finish it. In fact, if you leave
bite you at the end of the semester.” early from these exams you will lose points.
Basically, you have two hours to tell the lecturer
Papers: "For almost any class you will take, everything you learned that semester in a clear
you will be asked to write a paper or two. The and organized way."
papers are generally three to five pages and
require you to use numerous sources. The most
8“Exams at UL are very strict. You know the • financial aid,
movies where you see students head into a • general scholarships
• budgeting
gym with individual desks and teachers walking
• ways to bring money abroad
around and ripping up people’s tests if they
cheat? Well... it is almost exactly like that is found on the following websites:
without the whole ripping up tests, they just take Fund Your Experience
it away from you. Final exams are taken very Study Abroad Handbook: Money Matters
seriously at UL, if you do not have your student
ID or you are like 2 minutes late you will not be Cost Estimate
The most current Cost Estimate for your
allowed to take the test…”
program, in easily printable format, on the CIE
Ireland webpage. Be sure you are looking at the
Lecturers: "Most of the lecturers are great.
correct term. The cost estimate includes what
They are available right after class to talk with you pay to UW-Eau Claire, what you pay to UL,
you and answer any questions that you may and what you pay directly to other vendors.
have; they also hold office hours. They are very
accustomed to American students and they
Housing Costs
know that their exam format is different from
Semester: You will apply to and pay for your
exams here, so they are more than willing to
housing directly through UL. A €50 deposit will
talk with you about this and give you tips on
be due when you apply, typically in April for
how to study. Other Irish students are also a
fall and September for spring. An additional
great resource for advice!"
€300 security deposit and the full semester’s
housing payment* will be due when you accept
"Introduce yourself to your lecturers at the
your placement, usually in July for fall and
beginning of the semester. They don’t bite!
November for spring.
Many will be much more accommodating with
special request or issues if they know you are a
*If you receive financial aid and need to access
study abroad student from the start."
the aid before you can pay your housing bill,
contact your UWEC Ireland coordinator. She
Service Learning (semester only)
will let UL know, and they will defer the rest of
See the Academics section of the Study Abroad
your payment to the first day of the UWEC
Handbook for information on having a project
semester, when financial aid is released. You
approved. This must be done in advance of
will still need to pay your security deposit at the
beginning the project but cannot be done before
time you accept your placement.
you go to Limerick, since you will not know the
necessary details of the project.
Summer: Housing costs are included in the
program fee you pay to UWEC. You will receive
MONEY MATTERS instructions on how to reserve housing in your
UWEC information about UL acceptance email, after you’ve submitted
• making payments your Limerick online summer application.
• when they are due
• withdrawal, cancellation and refund
deadlines
9Currency Exchange Due to increasing measles and mumps cases
The currency of Ireland is the Euro (€). One worldwide, we strongly encourage all students
Euro has 100 cents. There are 8 Euro coins, to check their vaccine history to see if they have
ranging in amount from 1 cent to 2 Euros. Coins had the MMR vaccine.
have different designs in the various countries
that use the Euro. Bills range from €5 to €500 STIs at UL
and have a standard design across countries. In December 2016, the Irish Times reported an
“outbreak” of STIs, specifically gonorrhea and
You can find current exchange rates at chlamydia, at UL. You can find the article here.
http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/. Please discuss any questions or concerns you
may have with your healthcare provider.
Cost of Living
For an idea of what everyday costs you may Healthcare
encounter, check out this website: Campus Medical Services:
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of- An acute care advisory service is provided to all
living/in/Limerick registered students. There is a fee to use this
service; you can claim for any medical
expenses through CISI.
Credit Cards and ATMs
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout
Ireland. However, finding ATMs in some rural This service includes a full-time nursing service
counties, including Limerick, may be difficult. Be and daily attendance by doctors. A consultant
sure to pull out cash in Limerick City before psychiatrist and chartered physiotherapist are
heading to the country. available through internal referral. The Student
Health Centre is open Monday to Friday from
9.00am to 4.00pm. You will receive additional
HEALTH & SAFETY information during orientation at UL.
General information about:
• CISI Insurance Counseling Resources:
• Preparing to Go UL counsellors provide a comprehensive,
• Staying Healthy confidential counselling service, free of charge.
• Traveling Safety The service can help students deal with the
• Emergency Protocols wide range of problems common to any student
and links to additional health and safety population, e.g. personal problems, difficulties
resources are found on the following websites: in studying, vocational uncertainty, family
Health + Safety problems and examination anxiety. The service
Study Abroad Handbook: Health & Insurance also offers a range of modules for students,
and Safety Abroad sections. including Stress Management, Personal
Development and Study Skills.
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has Medical Supplies/Medications: You can find
basic medical supplies or medications in local
vaccination suggestions, how to stay healthy
pharmacies. They are plentiful and are
when abroad, and health information specific to
identified by a green cross (universal symbol in
Ireland. Review the CDC site for Ireland.
all of Europe). They even sell personal hygiene
10items that you might not expect, like ATM Use: Theft around ATMs has been
toothbrushes. reported. Thieves generally work in teams and
use distraction, such waiting until a person has
Services for Students with
entered their PIN, then asking a question or for
Disabilities
loose change. While the person is distracted by
UL’s Disability Services Office can provide
the first thief, the second quickly withdraws
assistance and accommodations to study
cash and leaves. If you are distracted in any
abroad students. All campus housing is
way around an ATM, cancel the transaction
accessible and there are adapted rooms for
immediately.
students with disabilities. It is vital that students
book early and outline their needs to the
Pickpocketing/Stolen Phones: these are two
accommodation office.
are the most reported occurrences for
As part of the inclusive measures provided by foreigners who visit Europe and many places
the university there is a Disability Services around the world. You are encouraged to
accessible bus available to bring students to securely store your personal belongings and
and from the villages. Early application is when possible, use your cell phone discretely.
important.
LGBTQIA+ Traveler
It is also important to look at the level of Country specific info if noted in Laws & Special
accessibility in Ireland. To find more information Circumstances section of State Dept Country
on this topic, please see the State Department info sheet.
Country Specific Information page. The US State Department LGBTI Travel
Information page and section 6 of their Human
If you have questions or concerns about this, Rights report for further details.
please contact your UWEC study abroad
coordinator. Resources for Victims of Sexual
Violence
CISI Insurance in Ireland General information and resources are on the
If you have an accident or become ill while Health & Safety section of the study abroad
studying in Ireland, you may have to pay the website.
price of the medical service up front. You will
then file a claim through CISI, the insurance
provided through the UW System for partial or
Emergency Contacts
General emergency procedures are described
full reimbursement in accordance with plan
in the Safety Abroad section of the Study
coverages.
Abroad Handbook, and UL has a Study Abroad
Manager who is available for consultation if
Safety in Ireland difficulties arise. The information is on the
Information on crime, specific safety issues, Contact Names & Addresses page of this
road safety, drug penalties, and terrorist activity guide.
in Ireland is included in the U.S. State
Department’s website. Specific safety in and 911 Equivalent in Ireland
around Limerick will be discussed during If you are in an emergency in the Republic of
orientation in Eau Claire and in Limerick. Ireland, you will need to know how to reach the
11local police, fire, or ambulance services. The Irish Immigration Regulations
local equivalent to the 911 emergency line in At the time of this writing, U.S. citizens are
Ireland is 999. However, you can also use deemed to be from a “non-visa” country, per
the European wide emergency number this document, meaning that you do not need a
which is 112. We suggest you save these visa to enter Ireland. However, because you will
numbers in your cell phone in case you need to be in Ireland for more than 90 days, you do
use them quickly. need to register with Irish immigration within a
month after arrival.
The U.S. State Department also provides a list
of 911 numbers abroad. Please note that in
Please note that these regulations may
some countries there are different numbers for
affect your airline ticket purchase. See the
fire, police, and ambulance. Plan ahead and
"Travel Arrangements" section of this guide
research numbers before you go.
for details.
Registering with immigration after arrival
REQUIRED (semester students only): Immigration
registration takes place at the Garda Síochána
DOCUMENTS (police) station at Henry Street in downtown
General passport and visa information is in the Limerick during normal office hours, excluding
Study Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources public holidays. Your appointment will be
section. organized through the Study Abroad Office at
UL, but it will be your responsibility to get to and
Visa from the appointment. Directions will be
A visa is official permission to temporarily provided by UL.
reside in another country and is granted by the
government of that country. As of this writing, To register with Immigration, you will be
U.S. citizens do not currently need a visa to required to produce all of the documents
enter Ireland. Should that change, however, it needed at immigration, plus:
is your responsibility to apply for and • A valid UL student ID card (provided by UL
receive a visa from an Irish consulate or Study Abroad Office during orientation)
embassy in a timely manner. • An immigration letter (provided by the UL
Study Abroad Office during orientation)
Semester Students: Irish • €300 fee (as of 2019-2020) payable by bank
Immigration/ Registration giro (similar to a money order) or credit card
You will eventually have an item in your in your name. You cannot use a parent's
BlugoldsAbroad called “Limerick Immigration credit card, nor can you pay cash.
Entry Requirements” and read the “Visa”
section of your Study Abroad Handbook for More information on Irish immigration
more information about what documents you requirements for students can be found at the
should bring with you for immigration and what Irish Council for International Students site:
to do to keep up-to-date on visa requirements. https://www.internationalstudents.ie/info-and-
advice/immigration/visas-and-immigration
1240’s -50’s. Average temp of winter (December –
Summer Students: Irish February) is in the upper 30’s-40’s. The rain will
Immigration definitely make it feel colder. It can also get
pretty gloomy and the sun may hide for a bit.
U.S. citizens staying in Ireland for 90 days or
Snow is rare in the winter.
less do not need a visa, nor do they need to
register with the Immigration Office upon arrival.
If you are NOT a U.S. citizen, please contact Clothing
UL students dress casually, with jeans and
your home country’s Irish consulate to see what
sweaters being the most common clothing.
processes you need to take. More information
Student residences are often cold by U.S.
can be found here:
standards, so be sure to have some warm
https://www.internationalstudents.ie/info-and- clothes. Having some cold weather gear can
advice/immigration/visas-and-immigration also come in handy during many parts of the
semester. Bringing appropriate rain gear is
Visas for Travel to Other Countries going to be important no matter when you study
If you plan to travel while abroad, you should in Ireland! Whether you bring it or buy it when
verify visa requirements for each country you there, having a sturdy umbrella, warm raincoat
will visit by contacting the nearest consulate for and maybe water-resistant shoes is key to
that country, or your travel agency. Most staying dry. Summer students should be
Western European nations do not require U.S. prepared with a variety of clothing to dress in
citizens to have a visa for tourist travel of less layers to add/remove throughout the ever-
than three months but that is subject to change. changing forecasts.
PACKING TIPS GETTING TO IRELAND
General packing information is in the Study There is information on booking flights in the
Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources section. Study Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources
A country-specific packing list will be released section.
through your BlugoldsAbroad account a few
months prior to departure. Travel Arrangements
It is your responsibility to make travel
arrangements to Limerick. You will fly into
Weather Shannon International Airport, which is located
Limerick has a temperate climate due to the
16 miles from the city and is directly accessible
Gulf Stream. Spring is from March – May with
April starting to be more pleasant. Summer is from many destinations, including daily flights to
June – August and is Irelands driest season and from the United States. Note that a
(but you can still expect short rain showers). roundtrip ticket is required for immigration.
Past participants have noted, however, that at
times the weather can be very cold, rainy, and Buying a Changeable Ticket
windy, and that it can change several times We encourage all students to purchase a low
throughout the day. Temperatures in May and change fee ticket, especially semester students.
June average between 65-75ºF. Autumn is from As noted earlier, exam dates are only set 4-6
September – November and starts to see more weeks before the end of the semester. If your
rainfall. The temps will drop off to the upper exams are early in the exam period, you may
13want to change your ticket to come home Education and we will try to contact UL staff to
earlier. Therefore, we strongly recommend notify them of your delay.
that you buy a roundtrip ticket with a low You should wait in the “Arrivals” terminal, and
change fee. Note that trip insurance does not you will be paged if you are not met
cover flight changes if you buy a non- immediately.
changeable, non-refundable ticket.
Independent Arrival
Going Through Immigration & If you did not return your Airport Collection
Customs (semester students) Form to UL by the requested date, UL will not
At Irish customs, make sure you say that you arrange for you to be picked up from the airport.
are coming to Ireland as a student so that you However, there is regular bus or taxi service
receive the correct immigration permission from the airport to UL.
stamp in your passport. (It is not possible to
change to student status if you receive a tourist You are not required to fly into Shannon Airport;
immigration stamp on arrival.) you can also fly into Dublin. However, when
comparing ticket costs, be sure to factor in the
time and cost of getting from Dublin to the UL
The Irish immigration authorities will review the
campus with all of your luggage!
documents and computer-swipe and date-
stamp your passport. You have one month from
the date stamped in your passport to register Early, Late or Delayed Arrival
Since UL cannot accommodate students prior
with the Immigration Office.
to the start of orientation, you will need to find
alternative housing arrangements if you arrive
Getting to Limerick the City & early. If you decide to remain in the city of
University Limerick, you may want to stay in a bed-and-
Pick-Up by UL
breakfast (B&B) for one or more nights. There
Your acceptance email from UL will include
is a Limerick Tourist Office located at 20
information about airport pick-up. As long as
O’Connell Street in Limerick City Center. They
you return the information before the due-date,
offer housing suggestions on their site or you
and you are arriving on one of UL's designated
can email at limericktio@failteireland.ie.
"arrival dates," you will be picked up at
Shannon International Airport and transported
to your accommodation. Typically, you must At orientation, you will discuss a back-up
submit the form at least 3 weeks in advance of arrival plan in case your flight is delayed,
the arrival day. and you will be arriving outside of check-in
hours.
If you have turned in arrival information but your
flight is delayed, please phone the UL Study
Abroad Coordinator (see Contact Names and
SETTLING IN
Student life is centered on the campus with
Addresses) as soon as possible so they know
restaurants, pubs, a modern dance company,
when to expect you. You may need to take a
chamber orchestra, and a national art
taxi to UL. You can also try to call/email the
collection.
UW-Eau Claire Center for International
14Orientation: Semester students Language Exchange. Find more information at
UL offers an orientation for incoming https://www.ul.ie/international/clubs-societes.
international students at the start of the
semester in Ireland. All new students attend the Summer students will see less activity as most
program. The program gives a student's view of UL students will be on break or finishing up
the university: its physical layout, courses, exams. However, the summer staff will present
administrative procedures, counseling services, a lot of opportunities to get exposed to the local
library, student services office, and sports and culture.
recreation facilities. You will register for your
classes at this time, too. Regular sessions are Activities/Events
also held with visiting students during the first This mostly pertains to semester students:
weeks of each semester to assist the There are also workout classes offered at the
integration process and to resolve outstanding UL athletic center, and you have a free gym
issues. membership for use of athletic center facilities.
(Specific classes may have a small additional
Orientation: Summer students fee.)
Orientation begins when you are picked up at
the airport. You’ll receive a welcome pack and Communication about university/community
your university ID. That evening there is a events is very decentralized, it takes some
welcome meal for all Summer School students. effort to find out what is going on. Good sources
The next morning, you will have a campus tour of information are bulletin boards, particularly
and a variety of orientation sessions to the board in the Students' Union.
introduce you to UL. Classes begin after lunch
that day! Volunteer (semester students)
UL strongly encourages semester study abroad
On-Site Support students to volunteer in the community (there
The UL International Office staff will be your just isn’t enough time in the summer). There are
main advising office while at UL. Their contact many opportunities to get involved that enrich
information is on the Contact Names & your study abroad experience, and can enrich
Addresses page of this guide. your resume, including getting involved in
research projects and tutoring in local schools.
Student Clubs & Organizations This is a great way to experience more about
All registered students are members of the the Irish culture and way of life by interacting
Students' Union at UL, and the Union's aim is to with Irish people from all ages!
promote student well-being and welfare. It has
developed an extensive range of services and Students interested in volunteering or who wish
other facilities in support of this aim. The Union to undertake a practicum module are advised to
supports more than 70 clubs and societies secure Local Police Clearance before
which cover almost every interest, mainstream arriving in Ireland. To do this, submit a record
sport, and specialist activity. Past students check request through the Wisconsin
recommend the International Society, the Department of Justice.
Outdoor Pursuits Club, the Kayak Club, and
15https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/background you want it to count for UWEC service-learning!
-check-criminal-history-information#request (https://www.uwec.edu/service-learning/)
There is a small fee, and it will take 7-10
business days for you to receive the report, so
plan ahead.
Other Campus Services
Aside from the services mentioned within the
residential villages, the campus center at UL
Once you receive your letter, put it in a safe offers:
place and bring it with you. You will ultimately • Book shop
share it with the volunteer site coordinator. • Full banking service (including ATM)
• Food store
While this is not necessary for all volunteering • Pharmacy
opportunities, it is increasingly required for any • Laundromat
placements working with children, the elderly or • Full bar and restaurant facilities
other vulnerable groups, all of which are • Student function rooms
popular options with Study Abroad students. • Students Union offices
You must apply for and receive your • Athletic center w/ pub
background check before you depart for the
UK.
HOUSING
The next step is to apply for Garda Vetting; UL
Summer Students: Housing
will provide further information on this during Summer School students are housed on
Orientation. campus in private rooms with bathrooms, and
shared living and kitchen areas. All houses
You can register on the Volunteering website: include male and female housemates.
Volunteering opportunities in UL and Limerick
City as soon as you have a working UL email Past participants report that living with five to
address, however most students will register seven other people can be challenging at times.
during orientation week, once they arrive in UL. Each living group is responsible for keeping
their apartment clean, taking out garbage, etc.
Volunteering is not for academic credit; If everyone agrees at the beginning to a specific
however, it is listed on your UL academic approach to keeping the apartment livable, it
transcript. (UL is the only university in Ireland to will be easier to hold people to it later on. Don't
include this!) be afraid to be the one to organize the initial
discussion!
Those who wish to do so can also apply for the
(UL) Presidents Volunteer Award, to quality Semester Students: Housing
students must volunteer for a minimum number You will apply for housing through the UL online
of hours and are required to submit a reflective application system. Your UL acceptance letter
portfolio. will include instructions. Please see the “Money
Matters” section of this guide for details on
Remember to submit your service-learning dates and payments.
forms online before you begin your project if
16The University offers five residential villages be afraid to be the one to organize the initial
specifically designed for Irish and international discussion!
students. Individual two-story terraced houses
of six to eight bedrooms are arranged in Residence Hall Descriptions
landscaped courtyards in an attractive village
The following descriptions of the five villages
style.
were provided by a past participant. For a look
at the residences, go to
Unlike the dorms at UW-Eau Claire, there are
http://www.studentliving.ul.ie/.
no RAs, but there is a village manager. One
time during the semester, the village manager
1) Kilmurry (KIL-mur-ee): This village consists
will inspect the house or apartment to make
of two-story houses that generally have six to
sure it is up to par. If you fail an inspection, you
eight people living in them. There is a bathroom
will get another try. If you fail a second time, all
upstairs and downstairs. All the occupants
roommates will pay a fee to a cleaning crew.
share a kitchen and living room. The village has
its own shop and launderette. In terms of
Semester student housing is booked for the full
location, Kilmurry is just a short walk from the
semester, so fall and spring students can stay
workout center and about a 5-15-minute walk
in their room during any breaks at no additional
from where classes will take place.
charge. Year-long students are booked in
accommodation from September to the end of
2) Plassey (PLAH-see): Plassey is much like
exams in May and can stay in their room during
Kilmurry, although they are located on
all breaks at no additional charge.
completely opposite sides of the UL campus.
Generally, these two-story houses are designed
One or two U.S. students live with six or seven
for eight people, and roommates will share
Irish or other international students to enable
kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms. A bus
integration into the social life of the full-time
stops and other shops are nearby, and a
Irish students. All villages are mixed gender, so
launderette is located in the village center.
you will have both male and female
Plassey village is the least expensive of the five
housemates.
accommodations.
Past participants report that living with five to
3) Dromroe (drum-ROW): This village is made
seven other people can be challenging at times.
up of apartments in connected housing
Each living group is responsible for keeping
complexes. Six people share an apartment with
their apartment clean, taking out garbage, etc.
a living room and kitchen. At Dromroe,
Address these issues directly and early on, in
everyone gets their own double bed and their
an organized manner: a cleaning chart agreed
own private bathroom. The village has its own
upon by all household members and hung on
shop, restaurant, and launderette. While the
the refrigerator door is one suggestion. If
walk to the bus stop is longer when compared
everyone agrees at the beginning to a specific
to Plassey and Kilmurry, Dromroe is the closest
approach to keeping the apartment livable, it
building to the campus where you will be
will be easier to hold people to it later on. Don't
attending classes.
174) Thomond (TOE-mund): Thomond is similar Rainbow Housing
to Dromroe in the apartment style layout with UL announced in fall 2019 that they are the first
six occupants. All six share the kitchen and university in Ireland to offer LGBTQI+ specific
living room and there is a launderette in the housing. UL announced: “Rainbow housing is
village. UL is located on the River Shannon, for students who wish to live together in a
and you must cross the river to get to Thomond, house/apartment that supports the LGBTQI+
which is about a 10-15-minute walk from and allied community at UL. When applying for
campus. The bridge is a little bigger version of on campus accommodation residents will be
asked if they would like to live in Rainbow
the UW-Eau Claire footbridge.
housing. Students can either tick yes or no
depending on their preferences, rooms will be
5) Cappavilla (CAH-pa-VIL-ah): This village is
allocated accordingly.”
the newest addition to UL and the village is
newer and larger. It is laid out in a way similar
to Dromroe and Thomond, but Cappavilla offers
Internet Access
Computer hook-up from individual study-
six and four ensuite units to undergraduates
bedrooms to the University network can be
and it also has a launderette. It is located
provided, and there is a good Wi-Fi connection
behind Thomond next to the health service
throughout the house. UL provides an Ethernet
building. Living in Cappavilla means it is quite a
cable for your use if you wish. The Internet
walk to campus, but a shuttle bus frequently charge is included in your rental fee.
runs from this unit to campus.
Free Internet access is available in the library
What's Provided? and computer labs throughout the university. If
Each house offers: you have questions about computer services or
• single study-bedrooms* support at UL, please visit the Student
• a large kitchen/living room Computing website:
• two-bathroom facilities https://ulsites.ul.ie/itd/student-computing-
• a telephone services-information
• cable TV.
Laundry
Each room contains:
Each village has communal laundry facilities
• a bed, (usually a single bed, except in
with washers and dryers where you can wash
Dromroe)
and dry your clothes. Buy laundry tokens can at
• desk
the village reception to operate the machines.
• closet
Past students report that doing laundry is
• sink
expensive and machines are much smaller.
• Bedspreads are provided, but you have
You should expect to pay $6-7 per load. To
to bring your own sheets and
save money, you can purchase a laundry
pillowcases.
package for one load of laundry/week ahead of
time, which will be cheaper in the long run.
*In rare cases, you may be asked to share a
room, usually with another U.S. student.
18Traditional Irish Foods to Try
Meals: Semester Students Bangers and mash: Sausages with mashed
Meal plan: UL offers optional meal plans. You potatoes and gravy
can sign up through the UL housing application.
If you select a meal plan, you will get a voucher Beef and Guinness stew: A beef stew made
book that good at designated food outlets on with a Guinness beef broth, served with
campus. The UL Meal Plan is available from mashed potatoes
8.30am to 8.00pm Monday through Thursday
and 8.30am to 3.00pm on Fridays. Weekends Irish stew: A lamb and mutton stew
are not included. For students who don’t like to
Corned beef and cabbage: Beef cured in salt
cook at home, the meal plan may be less
and pickling spice, with cooked cabbage and
expensive than buying single meals at the
root vegetables
University cafes. Depending on the plan option
selected, you can save between 10-20% at
Shepard's pie/Cottage pie: Minced lamb/beef
campus dining.
and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes
Self-catering: Historically, students have been
Irish soda bread: a yeast free bread, delicious
expected to cook for themselves in their kitchen
with soups or for breakfast!
or purchase food/meals at the University cafes
or cafeterias. Each kitchen is equipped with Traditional Full Irish breakfast: Fried eggs,
dishes, cups, utensils and cutlery for each rashers (bacon), sausage, potatoes, baked
resident. Kitchens are fully equipped with oven beans, fried mushrooms and tomatoes, brown
and stove top, refrigerator and freezer. UL also bread, and black and white pudding (blood
offers a Farmers Market every Tuesday in the sausage). It is served with your choice of tea or
Student Center Courtyard where students can coffee, and sometimes orange juice.
by fresh produce from local vendors.
Irish breakfast tea: Black tea served with milk
Meals: Summer Students and/or sugar. The Irish milk is so good, and it
Breakfast is provided in your kitchen area: a makes Irish tea very addicting! The two famous
breakfast basket is delivered each afternoon for and rival tea brands are Barrys and Lyons, you
the following morning, including breads, will find that Irish people could argue for
cereals, fruit, yogurt, tea, coffee and milk. days about which one is better.
You will receive meal vouchers for the
university cafeteria for lunch and dinner,
COMMUNICATION
See the Study Abroad Handbook: Travel
Monday-Friday.
Resources section for information on:
• Communication with UWEC
Lunch and dinner on the weekends are up to
• Calling, Texting & Other Communication
you. You can cook in or eat out.
Time Difference
Ireland is normally six hours ahead of Eau
Claire. For example, when it is 1:00 PM on
19Thursday in Eau Claire, it is 7:00 PM on rest of the number to reach a specific city and
Thursday in Limerick. However, daylight location. Note that if there is a "0" listed before
the main number, drop it when dialing
savings time does not happen in both places
internationally.
simultaneously, so for a few weeks, there is a
seven-hour difference!
Snail Mail
International airmail takes 7-10 days in either
To see the current time in Limerick visit:
direction. Until you have an exact address, your
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/irelan
family and friends can send mail to:
d/limerick
Your Name
Email/Internet Access Study Abroad Student
With computers all over campus, internet is free University of Limerick
and easy. However, if you have a laptop, you Limerick
may want to bring it so that you can do Ireland
homework in your residence.
Landline Phone Information TRAVEL WHILE
UL does not offer phones in the room, but there
is a phone in each residence. You are charged ABROAD
to use the phone. General information on guidebooks, maps,
hostels and more is in the Study Abroad
Cell Phone Information Handbook: Travel Resources section.
It is not necessary to get a local number for
your cell phone, but you can choose to do so. Organized Travel
Options: Summer students will have some planned
• Some students buy a new SIM card that travel in the program. Additional or longer trips
allows you to get an Irish phone should be saved for after the program.
number. You can then call any Irish
Semester students:
number as well.
The International Society at UL plans some
• Others decide to get a burner phone for
trips for international students. In past
emergency purposes. They keep their
semesters, the Society has offered trips around
US phone & number (check with your
Ireland, to Scotland, and to London. Past
provider about an international plan), students recommend them: “They are
and they also have an Irish burner reasonably priced, a great way to meet
phone with an Irish number. students from around the world, and someone
else does the planning for you!”
There are many places to get a phone or SIM
card in downtown Limerick. Bus, Train & Air Travel
Taking a bus is probably your least expensive
Calling from the U.S.: travel option in Ireland. To travel by bus around
You must first dial 011, which is the Ireland, check out Bus Eireann at
international dialing code. Next, you must dial https://www.buseireann.ie/. Show your student
353, the country code for Ireland, and then the ID for a student discount!
20Ireland. Usually, you will not pay over 20 Euro
To travel by train, you leave from the same for a round trip bus ticket, which is fairly
location as the buses Check out this website to inexpensive for a weekend trip. Another option
book a train http://www.irishrail.ie/home/. The for travel is by train."
nice thing is that you can buy tickets at the
bus/train station. There are buses that leave If you plan to travel outside of Ireland, you may
from campus that go near the bus/train station want to consider a Eurail pass. Ryanair and
too, or you can pay a bit more and take a cab. Easyjet also fly out of Shannon Airport. Just be
careful of hidden fees for baggage, seats, etc.
In the words of a past participant, "The bus was See Travel Resources section of your Study
my main source of transportation all over Abroad Handbook for details.
21CONTACT INFORMATION
University of Limerick Irish Consulate in the U.S. UW-Eau Claire
Semester Students: Consulate General of Ireland Center for International
Katherine Martin 1 East Wacker Drive, Suite Education
Study Abroad Manager 1820 Jenna Krosch
International Education Division Chicago, IL 60601 Study Abroad Coordinator
Main Building Room EO-030 Phone: (312) 337-2700 kroschjm@uwec.edu
University of Limerick Fax: (312) 836-1267 3 Schofield Hall
Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland Web: https://www.dfa.ie/irish- University of Wisconsin-Eau
Phone: + 353 61 234653 or 353 consulate/chicago/ or Claire
61 213034 https://www.dfa.ie/irish- Eau Claire, WI 54702
Fax: + 353-61-213062 embassy/USA/ Phone: (715) 836-4411
Email: HOURS: Fax: (715) 836-4948
katherine.martin@ul.ie. Or (Monday -Friday)
study.abroad@ul.ie Public Office Hours - 10.00 am - After Hours Emergency
Web: 12.00 pm University Police:
http://www.ul.ie/international/en/ (715)577-9045
home/study-at-ul/study-abroad/. U.S. Consulate in Ireland
American Embassy Remember that in most cases,
Carol Moloney 42 Elgin Road local contacts are best in local
International Room Bookings Ballsbridge emergency situations.
Accommodation Dublin 4, IRELAND
Campus Life Services Phone: +353 1 668 8777 If you have an after-hours
University of Limerick (During Business Hours) emergency that can be helped
Limerick, Ireland Fax: +353 1 668-9946 on the U.S. side, please call
Phone: +353-61-202433 After Hours Emergency Tel. University Police at the number
Fax: +353 61 202188 +353 1 630 6200, follow above. Calls can be made to
Email: prompts to reach operator this number 24 hours a day.
accommodation@ul.ie You may get an answering
Email: acs_dublin@state.gov machine; however, an officer is
Summer Students: http://ie.usembassy.gov alerted as soon as you have left
Summer.schools@ul.ie your message. Be sure to give
the officer the phone number
https://www.ul.ie/international/s you can be reached at, as well
ummer-schools as what type of assistance you
require.
22WEB INFORMATION: IRELAND
City
University of Limerick Homepage: http://www.ul.ie
City of Limerick Homepage: http://www.limerick.ie/
Limerick Life: http://limerickslife.com/
Culture
Irish Culture: https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Ireland.html
Irish Weather: http://www.met.ie/
Country
Ireland Travel Ideas: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/ireland/
Everything You Wanted to Know about Ireland: http://www.ireland.com
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/
Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland
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