Studying Abroad: The Perspective of an International College Student at UL

Photo by @universityoflimerick, Instagram

By Moving to Ireland, I have been given an amazing opportunity to study abroad for my full degree at the University of Limerick and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Studying in another country is something that nearly every college student can only dream of doing, and attending UL has helped turn my dreams into my reality.

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The Campus and Facilities

The UL campus is truly stunning - unlike any other campus I have had the pleasure of visiting back in the United States. UL is exceedingly large, that the campus actually runs over two counties in Ireland over the River Shannon - County Limerick and County Clare, which makes up the north part of the campus.

UL offers a wide variety of resources and facilities to both their staff and students. Being a BA performing arts major and studying at the Irish World Academy, I have access to world-class and state of the art studios music and dance studios, recording rooms, tech, and theatres. I can honestly say that the facilities are unreal, and unlike any I have ever had the chance to use before. Being at the academy has given me so many opportunities to continue doing all things that I love not having to choose between both of my music and dancing careers - I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some big names and faces who have been major inspirations to me since I was young.

Photo by @universityoflimerick, Instagram

The International Program at UL

When you walk into the university, you will see people from all different corners of the world, not just locally and from across Ireland. UL has a big international program where students from a wide variety of different countries and backgrounds come to study, earn their degree, and help build their future careers.

The global office at the University of Limerick has been such a tremendous help to me and to so many other international and erasmus students, not only helping us adjust to the Irish education system, but always providing us with helpful information and the proper resources for studying here.

- Shoutout to Niamh Kavanagh -

International Recruitment Officer of North and South America, UL Global

With the help of the gobal office, I was able to obtain my Irish residency permit to continue to live and study in Ireland. I am very thankful to have ha the international team at UL so involved and present during my times here - both on and off campus.

The Staff and Students

This is my BIG thank you to every one of my tutors, lecturers, and advisors at the academy and to all of the staff at the university.

Being an international student and coming into a completely unfamiliar country, environment and campus, and education system is very intimidating to say the least. But the staff with whom I've been able to interact with on campus have been undeniably welcoming, generous, and have helped to boost my transition into college life.

The other students have also been wildly helpful and kind and have been more than willing to offer any assistance or advice that I may have needed. I have met some pretty amazing people at my time at UL so far - it makes me so happy to know that there are people here that I know I can count on, both staff and students alike.

Photo by @universityoflimerick, Instagram

Study Abroad!

If there is one thing that I can shout from the rooftops for the rest of my life, it would be this:

"Study abroad, study abroad, study abroad!"

I remember submitting my college application to UL on a whim, thinking there was no way that I would actually get an acceptance back. When I received my offer letter a few months later, I had to rereading about a hundred times over just to convince myself that it was real.

If you get even the slightest chance to study abroad in another country, DO IT. I promise you that it will never be something that you regret.

All you have to do it submit your application.