IES Abroad - Study Abroad in Ireland

I studied abroad in Dublin with IES in the Spring of 2022 and had an incredible experience! Ireland itself is a great place to study as it is full of rich history and beautiful sights with plenty of things to do. With this, going abroad with IES really enriched my experience. From pre-departure on, I felt incredibly supported by the staff at all points. Any issue I had was able to be addressed quickly and effectively leading to a great experience overall. The professors were all extremely knowledgable and I thoroughly enjoyed all of my courses and came away with great knowledge from each one. At no point did I feel unsafe or unsupported; in fact, everyone in the program was more than willing to help in any way, whether that was an academic issue I was having or if I needed recommendations on where to take a day trip to. I truly cannot recommend this program highly enough as I had the most incredible experience through them.

Ireland is a beautiful country; I enjoyed Dublin immensely, so much so, I’m planning on making my way back as soon as possible. The people, the community, the travel- all of it made me feel right at home, counteracting any homesickness I might’ve felt over the term. The program I participated in continues to be heavily missed, it was something I didn’t know I needed in terms of pursuing my passion after my college experience. The small consideration came into my head to remain right in the county, continuing the program full-time. I adored the theatre scene in Dublin. The arts and culture milieu is so appreciated within the community and the city feel heightened that excitement. I was still able to travel outside of the city, seeing certain country sites that I never would’ve gotten elsewhere, they were beyond description. Every bit of time spent during my stay in Dublin was well worth it. I can’t wait to return one day!

The title about sums it up! I studied abroad for a summer in Dublin with IES Abroad and couldn't have loved it any more than I did. The IES staff, from the U.S. offices in Chicago to the Dublin site, was helpful from the second I was interested in the program. IES got me over to the Emerald Isle and then made sure I had the time of my life. I learned so much in a short period of time through my classes, trips and events planned by IES (Gaelic Games, Northern Ireland weekend, and Irish music and dance nights), and exploring with the friends I made in my program. Dublin is a fantastic place to live and study and IES made sure we had all the support needed to accomplish everything we wanted to while abroad. I knew I could count on the staff while I was abroad and even to this day. I highly recommend exploring the wide variety of IES programs, specifically the Dublin programs. I can't wait to go back to Ireland and I hope to reconnect with some of the awesome IES staff members when I do!

I loved everything about my study abroad experience in Dublin. Having the opportunity to live, work, and experience life in the country my family comes from was truly an unparalleled experience for me. The classes I took through IES were interesting and culturally relevant allowing me to obtain a great understanding of the country I was living in as well as fostering a global mindset to learning. In addition to the coursework, I truly benefitted from being able to intern and experience the work culture of a foreign country first hand. The outside of the classroom trips and excursions that IES planned were really wonderful ways to experience different historical sites around Ireland without having to plan my own tours. The way IES schedules their classes I was able to travel throughout Europe on the weekends with ease. Through the IES Abroad Dublin program and specifically their Entrepreneurship and Technology track I was able to forge strong life-long friendships, learn more about Irish culture and experience it through my internship, and most importantly discover a new version of myself that is more confident and self-assured.

I would definitely recommend Dublin as a city to study in abroad. I was able to walk around very easily and meet so many locals. The food is amazing since it is such an international city and there are so many options. There are many places to see in Dublin but day trips are also manageable to do as well. I went for my cultural heritage but I would easily recommend it to anyone that wants an amazing international city to study in.

Studying abroad was one of the greatest experiences I have had so far in my life. Although going to college away from home gave me good insight into living on my own and away from family, studying abroad and travelling by myself to a new country really taught me about responsibility and independence. I learned a lot about myself, became more comfortable with myself, and gained a lot more confidence, especially as I solo traveled to other countries during my study abroad experience. The classes I took as a part of the IES Dublin Writer's Program were also incredible. I loved getting more insight into Irish history and culture through classes, whether it be through literature or discussions about the Irish professional culture. Many of my classmates and friends, as well, during my stay in Ireland are still some of my closest friends to this day and we continue to stay in touch despite attending different colleges around the US.

IES Abroad in Dublin was the perfect experience for my first study abroad. The staff were not only warm, but also went out of their way to make everyone feel at home. The center was located in a really nice and safe area and the apartment could not have been nicer. IES also offered lots of fun field trips and additional activities. My courses were really interesting and I felt like I learned a lot about the Irish culture in my time in Dublin. Overall, I would highly recommend this program.

Put bluntly, the IES direct enrollment program to the Gaiety School of Acting is the single best theatre program for an acting student who is also looking for foreign culture immersion. Gaiety puts you directly into their class of first years, creating an ensemble-focused curriculum that allows you to make lifelong friends with native Irish students. This gave me the opportunity to see Dublin through their eyes and experiences, giving me a whole new appreciation and love for my temporary home. And it did feel like home. I loved everything about it--from passing the statue of Oscar Wilde every day on my walk to and from school, to the farm fresh cheese and milk in the supermarkets, to having the prettiest Irish seacoast only a ten minute train ride away. Additionally, Dublin is the best city for theatre-lovers I've ever visited. You can see shows at the historic Abbey Theatre, learn about the rich tradition of Irish theatre while at Gaiety, and see and read the work of some of the best playwrights like Sean O'Casey, Marina Carr, and Conor McPherson. The best part is that you can see the vast majority of the best theatre in town for about 15 euro a seat (a far cry from the billion dollars you need to pay to see Hamilton this summer). My experience in Dublin was so wonderful that I'm already looking forward to going back. And when I do, I will have great friends in my classmates, tutors, and even IES employees who I can't wait to see again. There's no other program like Gaiety out there. If you're gonna go abroad, go here.

This program was better than I could have ever hoped it would be. As a person with quite a bit of Irish heritage I had always wanted to travel around Ireland more, especially since my mother had graduated from a college in Dublin. Looking back I got used to being in a completely different country quite easily and I believe that was all due to the amazing program directors and teachers, not to mention the wonderful roommates and friends I made in Dublin. I felt at home very quickly, which I think made my experience so much better. The trips that we were all taken on but also the freedom we had to take our own trips and find our own adventures was a huge part of what I loved about this program. I think especially the direct enrollment aspect of the program helped because it allowed me to meet Irish students and immerse myself in the culture rather than just being a tourist, surrounded by fellow Americans. However, I truly think the main reason that this program is so successful is the dedication and true kindness of all the people who work at the Dublin Center. They really are some of the loveliest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. My abroad adventures were a huge success and I hope to return someday soon.

I've always had a love for travel, and I knew that I wanted to study abroad as a part of my college experience. I was back and forth between a couple of different programs, and I am so glad that I chose IES Abroad in Dublin. From the moment I walked out of immigration and into the Dublin airport to see the smiling faces of Megan and Regina next to the giant IES sign, I knew that my adventure was going to be absolutely wonderful. The staff at IES was beyond helpful when it came to coursework, weekend travel around Ireland and other countries, and things to do in Dublin. My apartment was comfortable and within a 15-minute walk from anywhere I wanted to go. IES went above and beyond to make sure that we all had what we needed. My classes and professors were wonderful and very involved. One of my professors, Stephen, took us to the theatre, walked us through museum exhibits, and took us to some of the best restaurants in Dublin. Every Monday he would start class with, "Where did everyone travel this weekend, and where are you going next weekend?" Midway through class every day, we took a break for tea and pastries-the real Irish experience. If you're looking for an organization for study abroad, IES is most definitely the way to go. I left a piece of my heart in that beautiful city, and I am so thankful for all that IES did to make my journey phenomenal.