While class is the most obvious place to meet Irish students, they are many places to meet student and other locals. Joining clubs at UCD, is a great way to meet other students with similar interests. UCD has tons of clubs and many such as the Engineering Society have a mix of career themed events and fun, purely social activities. As for meeting people off campus, the Irish are famously friendly. One of the other American students went to a pub alone, and left with the phone number of an Irish couple. Two weeks later, they invited him for a weekend trip into the Irish countryside. These types of stories are not even uncommon, so don’t be afraid to make conversation with the locals.
Like most of the EU, Ireland uses the Euro as the official currency. Currently one Euro is worth approximately $1.10. Interestingly the Euro has coins up to 2 Euros, so a change purse is an essential item here. Unlike US dollars, the bills of different values are different colors and even get gradually larger. Since a euro and dollar are worth almost the same, I do not have to think much about the cost of items. However, I do like to budget, especially when I travel. I try to use mostly cash because when I use my credit card I tend to pay less attention to the cost. Additionally, to anyone who plans on studying abroad, I would recommend making sure your bank does not charge hefty international fees. I even opened a new account at Capital One because they charge no ATM or foreign transaction fees.
When I travel both around Ireland and other parts of Europe, I do usually buy a souvenir. Recently I picked up some tulip bulbs from Holland and dishcloths from Sweden. As someone who knits, I always stop in a yarn shop, it’s a great place to meet locals and purchase yarn I can’t get in the US. Additionally, Ireland has a different selection of Easter Candy, so my friends can expect some Cadbury eggs when I get home.
