Communications Study Abroad Programs in Ireland

I had a pretty great semester at UL. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and the professors, but also learned a lot about myself and the Irish people. I joined the Christian Union pretty early on and was welcomed into fellowship with that group. I accompanied some friends of that group into smaller towns I may not have otherwise visited and helped lead churches playing piano. I was welcomed into homes and I really felt loved. I also got to see much of the countryside and felt it easy to travel around to sight see. My time in Ireland is a time where I grew in knowing myself but also my understanding of the world. I loved learning Irish traditions, culture, and history, and I know that I could never know nearly as much by staying home.

In my time here, I learned so much about what I am capable of and what the world has to offer. This is largely due to the support of the study abroad team and resources like the writing, counseling, and health centers. I am so proud of all I have accomplished, be it in academics and the things I learned, and in stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring more about Ireland, Irish culture, and how I immerse myself in it. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this possible for me.

It was honestly the best experience it could have been - Great organization of the study abroad program, easy module selection, broad offer of modules, fun and regular campus activities, a bunch of reserved housing spaces for international students (be fast though) and a great study abroad team that helps with all your worries! I made so many good friends and enjoyed the spring semester immensely. 10/10 would recommend. the only negative part is that Ireland is a pretty expensive country as it is... UL offers a lot of cheaper food options though, that helped!

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!

My exprience of study abroad was great. I could make friends at University of Limerick and they were very kind to me. The class was also valuable. I took a music class and I could learn traditional Irish music, it was worth to compare with my culture’s one.

Overall, I would highly recommend Limerick, even though it is a place in Ireland that not many people have heard of. It is a huge site for Erasmus (European Study Abroad) students, so you will get to meet a lot of people from places you may have never even been to and get to share cultural experiences. My roommates were from all over, and it was so nice getting to know so many people during my time there. On the academic side, my experience was overall pretty good: my professors were nice, and their classes were engaging; however, the grading system at UL is different from what I'm used to in the States. At UL, specifically in the English and History departments, there were not many assignments that made up your grade; there were only 2-3. This wasn't too much of a problem for me since I just needed credits to take what I wanted, but if you have major-specific classes you need to take, this is something to keep in mind. The professors are happy to help, though, if you need extra assistance, but just keep in mind you will need to make sure you're keeping up with the assignments, as there are so few per class, the major ones can creep up on you if you are not careful. Other than that, though, I do not have any other complaints, and I honestly wish I were back there now with all of my new friends.

My preconceived ideas of what a semester abroad would entail and teach me were completely incorrect. I was pleasantly surprised in various ways by how much this experience changed my values and perspectives. Living with 5 other international students taught me about various cultures. Gaining both classroom and clinical experience for my degree broadened my understanding of healthcare systems. Developing strong relationships with my peers and the faculty improved both my education and understanding of Irish culture. Traveling often broadened my worldview and strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I am a smarter, stronger, and better person as a result of studying in Ireland. It is an experience I hope many others get the opportunity to do. I am confident saying that so far, these were genuinely the best four months of my life.

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.

My time at UL was unforgettable! Everyone was so welcoming, friendly, and supportive! My time abroad was truly a life changing experience and I will only talk highly of the University of Limerick! I got to engage with professors and my peers, learn about a ton of new topics, and travel the world! I am forever grateful I chose UL as I truly found a home within Ireland! I could never thank the people and places of Ireland that made it a forever home to me!

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Limerick was a beautiful, welcoming city where I never felt like I was truly on my own. The University of Limerick was the same way— and full of new experiences, challenges, and people who played a huge part in my study abroad experience. I met amazing friends, found ways to get involved, and had the opportunity to see some amazing sights around Ireland. I quickly found my footing in Ireland and used the experience as an opportunity to greatly increase my independence. I feel as if, thanks to this program, I changed so much for the better in such a short period of time. I would 100% recommend!

I loved every second of going to the University of Limerick, from the traditional Irish music, great events on campus, meeting all the other student abroad students, I made forever friends, tons of great memories, I highly suggest going on as many trips as you can via the UL student life website, and the other tour bus agencies

The Studying abroad experience at the University of Limerick in Ireland through Iowa State University offered a unique opportunity to immerse myself in Irish culture while continuing my academic journey. The University was located along the scenic River Shannon which allowed me to talk beautiful daily walks beside it, and the University of Limerick is known for its innovative programs, vibrant campus life, and strong focus on international collaboration which really allowed me to excel in academics while there. During my semester abroad, I engaged with a diverse student body, explored Ireland’s rich history and landscapes, and gained a global perspective that enhanced both my personal and professional growth. This experience fostered independence, adaptability, and lifelong memories.

The program with CIEE in Dublin, Ireland is straightforward and the resources are helpful. The day trips were a lot of fun, the class was engaging, and the price is reasonable, especially for out of state students.

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

My experience in Limerick, Ireland with CIS was amazing! The housing that CIS put us in was amazing and they took care of us every step of the way. Our onsite director, Karina, did such a good job making herself available to us. Karina planned excursions for us to help us live the local life and become familiar to Ireland. The experience I had at the University of Limerick was made exponentially better by the dedication given by CIS. I recommend Limerick to anyone. It truly is a beautiful place with overwhelming amounts of culture.

Studying abroad was one of the scariest and most fulfilling things I could have done during my undergraduate experience. I was a commuter student in my undergraduate program, and was not used to the independence offered to me during this program. I had the time of my life. As a Trinity student, we were given a co-living apartment about a 20 minutes walk from Trinity, right in the center of the Dublin. My apartment also offered a beautiful view of the Wicklow mountains. Trinity was an amazing school to attend, and the academics were challenging, and the classmates were interesting. I took a couple of courses that would not be offered at my home university, and I had a lot of fun. It was so cool being able to attend such a historical school, and attend its events, such as Trinity Ball. In addition to attending a school with a beautiful campus, our resident directors planned spectacular trips around Ireland as well! I felt that I saw most of the country in my four months there. We did a variety of activities and it was fun to experience with other Americans. I learned a lot about the Irish culture and history. Dublin is also a central location in Europe, and my roommates and I were able to take a couple of trips around the continent. Flights within in Europe are so cheap and you are not necessarily restricted to the country you are studying in. I saw so many sights and met a lot of different people through my travels. I will forever be thankful that I decided to study abroad. I still talk to my study abroad roommates and have visited them around the United States after our program has ended. I've also ended up back in Ireland in a graduate program at UCD because I loved it here so much. My program with API was definitely part of my journey to end up here, and I would recommend studying abroad to anyone who is thinking about it (I definitely recommend Ireland, but I'm not biased).

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

Going abroad was a spontaneous, circumstantial decision for me rather than a well-thought out plan. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I stumbled upon this program after consulting with an advisor at the International Programs Office at my school in late October. I knew I wanted to go to Ireland or Italy, and this was the only program left available due to the timing of my decision to go abroad. Little did I know that Maynooth, Ireland would hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life! Maynooth is a gorgeous college town situated on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. Dublin Center is easily accessible by bus or train. It is Ireland's only college town, with an active student body and a wide array of things to do. Many of the students I met and became close with were other students studying abroad (Erasmus students), from various states in the U.S. and even from countries across Europe! The Erasmus student population is what made the experience for me personally, although there were many friendly locals I met as well. Grab a pint of Guinness at the Roost, go for a hike with alpacas in the Irish countryside, or explore all that Dublin Center has to offer. Ireland has no shortage of beautiful landscapes and interesting people, and I highly recommend spending your semester abroad in this truly wonderful country. API offers excursions to all of the must-see places in Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, the Blarney Stone, and more. They were extremely accommodating and highly proactive in ensuring that all of my needs were met before I studied abroad. I highly recommend spending your semester abroad with API.

I never felt unsafe while alone in a different country because of CIEE staff. If anything were ever unsafe, like a violent protest a few weeks ago, we were immediately notified and kept updated as needed.