AIFS Abroad in Limerick, Republic of Ireland: Semester

AIFS truly made my experience abroad amazing! This was largely due to my on-site program director, Elaine. Through our program-wide weekly meetings and our excursions around Ireland, she made my experience infinitely better. I was able to get to different areas of the country that I likely would not have made it to otherwise. She was also able to give me advice about the other countries I was traveling to. It was also amazing to be able to live with other members of my program. This situation made it possible for us to become very close. Thank you Elaine and AIFS!

I had an amazing experience studying abroad at the University of Limerick through AIFS. As a math major this was one of few programs that offered classes I needed for my degree. Taking classes alongside Irish students and other international students was a great way to make new friends. Also my classes gave me a view into similarities and difference between Irish and American culture in education and beyond.

Studying abroad in Limerick with AIFS was an incredible experience. Elaine Keane, who ran our excursions and made sure we were settled in, was absolutely amazing. The group of students who went with AIFS that semester was fairly small, and we had lots of opportunities to hang out and become good friends. We got to go on several excursions to various sites around Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and the Aran Islands, and for those excursions, AIFS provided the accommodations and some meals, as well as activities such as bus and carriage tours. Outside of the excursions, Elaine met with us weekly to check on how our classes were going, how our living situation was, whether we were finding everything we needed, and to answer any questions we might have. The University of Limerick has a gorgeous campus (lot of walking though!) with good faculty who were understanding of the fact that we were studying abroad. UL has a large base of global students, so their global office and accommodations for those students are well-developed. I learned a lot about Irish culture while studying here, thanks to the many fun classes UL offers. The university is located just outside of Limerick, with several bus routes from the school to the city, and there are several shopping centers near the university as well. It was definitely worth going in to Limerick every so often- one of my favorite parts was the weekly Milk Market that happens every Saturday. I was also able to get a card at the Limerick Library and borrow books instead of buying them, which was awesome. Limerick also has bus routes to Shannon Airport, which I recommend if you want to travel outside of Ireland; Dublin Airport is your other option, which is much busier but it is also fairly easy to get to (you can take the train from Limerick station and then get on the airport shuttle at the Dublin station). There were a lot of cheap flights that I was able to get, so I could travel to places like Edinburgh, London, and Amsterdam on the weekends and over breaks. The only not-so-great part of the experience was the accommodations at UL, due to a combination of the random roommate assignment (which was unfortunately just my bad luck and outside of AIFS's control) and the facilities at Plassey, the student village I lived in (the laundry, for one, and some of the design choices for flooring and furniture made the houses seem dirty no matter how clean they were). However, this one aspect was a small price to pay for the opportunities I got on this trip. I was able to travel around Ireland and parts of Europe on the weekends, while learning about Ireland's culture and history during the week on a beautiful campus. I also made friends that I am still in touch with, and that I hope will stay lifelong friends thanks to our experiences together. Overall, I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in studying in Ireland- Limerick may not seem as exciting as Dublin or Galway, but I promise this city has a lot to offer you. I'm really glad I chose to do this program.

Spending a semester in Limerick was one of the best decisions of my life! Limerick is a great location and is less expensive in terms of cost of living and less touristy. It is very easy to travel all across Ireland via the green bus and internationally through Shannon airport. There were no downsides other than the first week or so of adjusting to a new country and being far from everyone. But adjustment period is normal and expected with study abroad. The resident director Elaine is absolutely fabulous! She made sure everything went well and took us on a lot of amazing trips! Classes in Ireland focus more on exams than in the U.S. and they only meet for 2 hours a week. There were a nice balance of classes available for my stem major as well as fun cultural classes such as Irish music and folklore. The nature on campus and throughout Ireland is so beautiful. I miss going for walks along the Shannon, on campus. There are so many great things about Limerick and study abroad in general. I would recommend Limerick to anyone who is considering it!

Although moving to a college four hours away from home was a big step on my path to independence, I knew there was always more room to build my own autonomy. Something that would really test my ability to successfully be self-sufficient. Studying abroad felt like the most appropriate way to test this. I then decided to participate in the AIFS Semester abroad in Limerick Program. Although many insecurities and fears arose about not being able to achieve this newfound independence or not being able to successfully live in a new country I had never been to on my own, I took the leap of faith anyways. As my father drove me to the airport for the most influential trip of my life I recall saying, “I think is the craziest thing I have ever done.” All the unknowns and questions of making the right decision or not flooded my mind. I can now proudly say, when you take a leap of faith you are indefinitely rewarded for it, and this is what study abroad has shown me. Since studying abroad in Limerick I have walked away with an immersed experience of being a student at the University of Limerick, walked away with numerous friends from all over the world, and most importantly, a more enhanced and independent version of myself. If you ever have doubts or concerns about study abroad, I want to remind you. When you take a leap of faith you are indefinitely rewarded for it, so go for it and take that leap of faith. You will never know the opportunities and friends you will have for life until you do.

Studying abroad offers a transformative experience, providing a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, broaden your perspectives, and gain a global mindset. It enhances personal growth, fosters independence, and exposes you to the diversity in academics amongst other cities. Beyond academics, you'll develop valuable life skills, build an international network, and create lasting memories. Overall, studying abroad is a widely unique opportunity for self-discovery along with education and personal development. Moving to Ireland for the few months I was there was tough at first, as there were so many unknowns. AIFS did an amazing job making me feel welcome at the University of Limerick, immersing me in different cultures, and supporting me personally and academically. I would go back in a heartbeat if I could.

Studying abroad is so important, you come back with a new perspective, new goals and friends. AIFS made all of this possible we got to go on awesome trips already planned by AIFS and meet amazing people. The on site staff was amazing and they were to most affordable program I found! Studying abroad changed the way I see the world for the better!

Looking back on my time abroad, in Limerick, Ireland, I can say that I am so thankful to have gone through a company like AIFS. Compared to many other international students there, we were taken care of above and beyond expected. This also meant that my parents here in America were confident any of their worries and concerns would be addressed before they could become an issue. Going for an entire semester to a new country, even if they natively speak english, is always going to be scary. AIFS picking me up from the airport and providing an on-site director were two things I valued so much from them. Not to mention the amazing excursions they planned for us, so we wouldn't have to find a way to get around on our own. We had ample time to be on our own and find out a lot about ourselves while also having the comfort of someone we could go to for any questions. I am so grateful for AIFS and my experience in Ireland.

Studying abroad with AIFS in Limerick was the best decision I could have made. AIFS took care of my housing, fights, meal plans, and helped with anything administrative items. Between the cultural excursions and the AIFS staff on site that went above and beyond to make sure we were safe and having the best time possible. The cultural excursions to places like the Aran Islands, Cork, and the Killarney National Park allowed us to learn and experience deep history of the country. All of the AIFS students lived in the same village and made it easy to head to a similar face with any questions or to make your way into the city. The campus is along the River Shannon with wonderful walking/running paths that will take you to the city. The University itself is big and provides over 70 clubs or societies to get involved in and a wide variety of classes offered. The international office on campus provided support to me before, during, and after my time abroad. Limerick has less of a touristy feel to it and provides everything from the shops you will need to museums and castles to visit. I would highly suggest studying abroad in Limerick with AIFS as they truly know the country and provide support every step along the way.

Studying abroad with AIFS at the University of Limerick was an absolutely incredible experience. On the logistics side, AIFS took care of my housing, meal plan, flight, and all of the other administrative details that had the potential to overwhelm me before I even left the country. They also offered a huge amount of support before, during, and after my semester abroad. The University of Limerick is a really amazing campus - it's located about a 15 minute bus ride outside of the city and right along the River Shannon, so it's a convenient and beautiful location. They offer a wide range of academic options, so I was able to take classes within my major and general education classes like Irish Folklore and Irish Music that let me learn more about Irish culture. Ireland is a beautiful country with so much culture, and AIFS really made it possible to explore that. They provided excursions to Dublin, the Aran Islands, and day trips to the Hunt Museum, Blarney Castle, and Killarney. It was easy to explore the country and really feel integrated with the Irish culture. I highly recommend any program in Ireland, but I especially loved the less tourist-y feel of Limerick. I really felt like I was part of the city life, not just a visiting tourist. It was the best experience of my life and I'm already looking to go back!

Limerick was a beautiful city, just small enough to not scare a suburban girl like me away but big enough to get me out of my comfort zone. There were castle ruins everywhere, and everywhere includes behind my apartment. I was lucky enough to be placed next to my friends in a spacious apartment looking out over the River Shannon. My favorite part of the trip were the CIS planned excursions. Without the stress of booking anything, I could thoroughly enjoy not only arriving at the destination but the journey to get there. John, our onsite coordinator, was so knowledgeable of all of the history, cultures, and fun folklore that Ireland provided. Unfortunately, I got very sick at the end of the semester and ended up in the hospital. Thankfully, I had John, who made sure I was ok, contacted my parents, and visited me at my apartment frequently, bearing gifts and groceries. I always felt like I had someone looking out for me with CIS there. I would recommend CIS for anyone who wants to travel smart, inexpensive (scholarships!!!), and explore the ins and outs of a new area. I would recommend the semester in Limerick program for anyone who wants an American feel to a university, the benefits of a city without the intensity, and great classes. I was lucky enough to take two literature courses while studying there that counted towards my major credits at my home university. I also took a journalism class, something that is not offered at my college, allowing me to get a different perspective of communications. The structure of classes makes so much sense, with large lectures and small tutorials. The campus has a great social life and it extends out into the city, which is a short 10 minute bus ride away.

My semester at Limerick has been one of the most transformational experiences of my life. I went with an incredible program (AIFS) which helped me make the most of my time in Ireland. It was great that I spent a full semester because it allowed me to get involved with the school's rowing club and equestrian club which meant that I could become further connected to my Irish peers. A semester also gave me more time to travel around the country and see some other European countries. Limerick was an excellent choice for me-there is a strong international presence (they have hundreds of exchange students each semester from all over the world), a large selection of classes (ranging from equine studies to Irish), and a multitude of ways to become involved. I absolutely recommend this program (or any other one offered by AIFS) for anyone considering going abroad. AIFS was instrumental in setting up excursions to the Aran Islands and Dublin as well as cultural activities such as seeing the Flying Boat Museum and experiences a proper Irish breakfast. This program is an amazing one and I cannot say enough great things about my time abroad.