Study in Ireland: A Guide for International Students

Located on the edge of Europe, Ireland is an island nation with a whole lot of character. Colorfully known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is known for its history, culture and vibrant nightlife, especially in Dublin and Cork. Ireland’s rugged coastline, rolling hills and valleys and reasonable cost of living make it a popular destination for tourists and international students alike. The fact that it is both an Anglophone country and an EU member state makes Ireland one of the more attractive study abroad destinations for many students. Most international students come from the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, the UK and North America. 

But languages and political unions aside, Ireland is also an attractive destination in its own right. Whilst not the size of Australia or Greenland, Ireland is not a small island. This is why most people choose to see the country by driving from Donegal in the very north to Cobh in the very south, taking in this beautiful country as they do so. From the beating pulse of Grafton Street in Central Dublin to the semi-rural calm of Waterford, Ireland truly does have something to offer everyone. Ireland is also an extremely safe country. It has no recent history of terror attacks and crime is relatively low, especially compared to its next-door neighbor the UK. 

Ireland - Quick Facts & Figures

The Irish are renowned for their great hospitality and their even greater zest for life. Aside from spending long Atlantic summer nights by the shore and cold winter nights cosied up with mulled wine, the Irish are also famous for their ceilidhs (pronounced kay-lees). At these parties, traditional music is played, often live, while couples and pairs charge up and down the floor to the instructions of a caller. The fun and atmosphere normally carry on well into the night. Of course, Irish culture has also given the world Riverdance, the legendary stage show that started as a Eurovision interval act.

Ireland’s rich, layered cultural heritage has also given the world its signature drink: stout. Guinness isn’t the only Irish stout, there are as many varieties and flavors as you can imagine. Guinness perhaps best summarizes Ireland: it's surprising, popular and oddly intriguing.