Application process
I applied to the “ Dublin Business School ” (DBS for short) in April 2014 for the winter semester 14/15. Your website did a very good job : they are always at your side, no matter how many questions you have. The organization of my semester abroad was straightforward. Because the DBS is located in Ireland and is part of the European Union, the time required to fill out the forms was rather short. The application itself was also filled out quickly.
After I had completed the DAAD test at the University of Koblenz and sent the application portfolio to your website and the Dublin Business School, the application went through relatively quickly and I received a provisional acceptance from DBS, which converted into an acceptance when the tuition fees were paid has been.
Unfortunately, when I applied, the DBS numbers on your website were not up to date and so it happened that I had to pay EUR 2,700 (instead of EUR 2,500) in tuition fees.
Preparation for semester abroad
Aside from packing your suitcase, there is – thank God – not much else to do in Ireland . Since we are in the EU, you do not need a visa or similar.
Subsequently, the DBS asked me for a PPS number (Personal Public Service Number). You have to apply for it. The best thing to do is to ask DBS if you have to and how to do it. Having to do the whole thing in retrospect is a bit of a hassle.
The health insurance companies usually only take over certain services in an emergency and pay for these medical services according to the German code (i.e. for the assumption of costs). It is therefore advisable to take out additional health insurance abroadcomplete. I made use of this extra service at HUK and only had to pay from the 43rd day. I am covered by my health insurance company in Ireland for the first 42 days. You can see whether the same applies to you in the contract documents or simply call your health insurance company. This extra insurance I took out even covered my medicines I bought in Ireland (and a cold is easy to catch in Ireland). I don’t really want to advertise the insurance as much now, but another example would be if you are sick and have to see a doctor, the doctor only takes around 50 EUR for your hearing, i.e. what you have.
Back to the actual topic: Of course you also have to take care of accommodation , but that is a separate point. If you do not have that much money available, try the student dormitory, if you have a little more financial leeway, try it in a shared apartment or with your own apartment. I would only go to a host family to a limited extent.
Regarding the flights , I think it would be advisable to book the outward and return flights individually. So you can decide for yourself when you want to leave Ireland. You can get the cheapest flights on the Internet. Do not forget to indicate the number of your suitcases, as the flights with Ryan Air and the like are usually without suitcases. I would not book flights through the travel agency. That brings you no advantage z. B. that you can book a second suitcase directly to save time at check-in.
Pack suitcase
What do you put in your suitcase? I was in Ireland from August to December. Due to the switch from summer to winter, I definitely had to pack a little more. Would rather recommend universal standard clothes, so no things for midsummer now. For me it was around 20 ° C one day, but then it was colder again (maritime). Even if it sometimes seems warm, the wind blows cold and you catch a cold really quickly. For us students, the first wave of colds went around at the beginning of the semester). So that you can give a final presentation later during your studies, I would also pack clothes in the business casual area.
).JIn addition to a laptop, a tablet might also be recommended (to do research during the lecture or to prevent boredom As an alternative to the tablet, you can also use your mobile phone. But be sure to get a mobile charger / powerbar. If you go on a day trip one or the other time, travel for a weekend or similar, a wireless speaker box is highly recommended.
You absolutely need a USB stick for the presentations. I would buy a large USB stick (approx. 32 GB), as you will definitely want to exchange photos, films you have made yourself with your fellow students / friends).
The studies
The introductory weeks are rather uninteresting in terms of content. A lot is repeated there (e.g. what you still know from school or what you get to hear in the individual lectures). Even so, it can be very helpful to go there. Not only do you become more familiar with the English language, but you also get to know all the people very quickly. The first groups have formed for the “introducing week”. But even if you didn’t know the people / clique, you were always welcomed openly and were able to do something with your fellow students.
I did the semester abroad in Ireland as part of my bachelor’s degree. There are two different courses at DBS:
On the one hand the “normal program”, where you can choose the courses yourself. At the end of the semester, students have to write a term paper (approx. 4,000-5,000 words) per subject.
Then there are certificates (in International Business, Sales Management and Tourism Management) as part of the EBS program. So if you focus more on traveling, I would rather not advise you to go to the certificate programs, as you have to do something for the university here during the week.
I decided on the Certificate in International Business. The lecturers always looked after us students well and the English was also very easy to understand.
My certificate included the subjects:
- Accounting
- Multinational Business Theory & Practice
- Multinational Business Project
- Marketing Communications
- Business English Communication
- Irish Society
In Multinational Business Theory & Practice we wrote a term paper (40%), created a presentation (10%) and wrote an exam at the end (50%). Irish Society was similar: housework (50%) and an exam at the end (50%). In Accounting, we wrote an exam in the middle of the semester (50%) and another one (50%) at the end. The grade in Business English was made up of smaller presentations and small tests (25% in total), the presentation from the Multinational Business Project (25%) and 50% of the final exam. In Marketing Communications, the application of the expertise was required in a kind of project. 50% made up the project and 50% the final exam. The Multinational Business Project was structured in a similar way: 40% made up the presentation,
The DBS
The DBS is distributed throughout the city center. Of course, it often happened that we had to change rooms between lectures and move to another building. We always had an hour break between lessons, but you really don’t go to another building for more than 10 minutes.
In the DBS, which belongs to the Kaplan Education organization (or similar – maybe one or the other knows this from a language trip), there are a lot of international students, but Irish people are also represented. Still, most of my course consisted of Germans and French. Occasionally Belgians and Spaniards were there too.
In general, you have to tag yourself for every lecture. You put your student ID on a device that records your presence. Depending on the situation, there are also teachers who make a list in which you confirm your presence with a signature.
The DBS buildings themselves are still ok and mostly more pragmatic than beautiful.
What I can definitely advise against is the use of the vending machines for sweets and drinks. I have often paid double the price for a chocolate bar because the price quoted did not match the price to be paid or because the coffee machine was not refilled, so there was only hot water instead of coffee. Tap water is free in almost every building.
You will usually receive the latest information from the DBS staff by email. There is also one or the other event (e.g. to plan leisure activities). The notes that hang on the pin boards in the DBS are sometimes very out of date and do not need to be taken into account.
In addition to various parties that the DBS organized, there was also an event relatively early on in which various activities were presented, e.g. B. Business Club, Photography, Psychology, Radio DBS, Dancing Club and also other sporting activities like basketball, rugby, soccer, etc. I was in rugby and I had a lot of fun. For those who are also interested: if you have shoes with studs, bring them with you, I would buy the rest on site.
The accommodation
First I chose accommodation with a host family, with whom I also stayed for the first 8 weeks. 3x meals a day, electricity, gas, water included and the laundry was also washed and ironed free of charge. That costs 680 EUR per 4 weeks. The disadvantage is that you live further away.
Unfortunately, like many other students, I wasn’t so lucky with my host family. After eight weeks with the host family, I decided to move into a shared apartment. Generally speaking, the housing market in Dublin is very modest. Many landlords want to rent out their accommodations to working people on a long-term basis. Therefore, there are some restrictions on short-term rentals (but many landlords compensate the effort with a higher price). As a student you currently don’t have any good cards because the landlords associate bad with students. So if the parents rented the apartment, you would definitely have a better chance.
Please note: in general, the students I got to know here paid between 450 and 1600 EUR per 4 weeks in rent (i.e. for host families, student dormitories and normal apartments). And even with the 1600 EUR expensive apartments you still have limitations in the quality of living.
Therefore, I would recommend you: Find accommodation before starting your studies, because once the mass of students is in Dublin, you only have a small chance of finding an apartment. I also have to say that the housing market in Dublin is very spontaneous. In Dublin you can find an apartment on the relevant pages (rent.ie etc.), call the landlord, if you are lucky you can arrange a viewing appointment with him and you have the apartment. I. d. Usually the landlords do not conclude a rental agreement with you 3-6 months in advance, e.g. B. in Germany. Please note: don’t just sign a rental agreement without having seen the apartment beforehand! It’s too risky.
Dublin is divided into different postcode areas. Ideally, you live in Dublin 2, of course. Everything is within walking distance. Dublin 1 and 4 are more expensive, but walking is better if you like to run regardless of the weather. In some cases, Dublin 7 or 8 are still recommended, because you live halfway near the city center and the bus route is not too far away.
If you want to go to a student residence and do not have high demands on accommodation, then try the Student Home at 98 Upper Dorset St. Friends of mine lived there, and the price-performance ratio was absolutely right. The area around the dormitory is not very inviting, but it is relatively safe. Relatively because something can always happen, but as long as you are not adorned with gold chains and a Rolex, nothing can happen to you.
Supermarkets
Recommended for shopping are: Aldi, Lidl, Dunnes, Tesco (limited), Spar (rather not). But be careful – limited product selection.
If you don’t have lunch or if you need an alternative to eating with your host parents, go to Dunnes. There are sandwiches with different toppings, e.g. B. in the morning the breakfast roll (with potato hash browns and sausages), the chicken fillet sandwich with salad or the main ingredient (meat, tuna cream, etc.) with two different salads (e.g. tomato and iceberg lettuce) for less than three euros.
I cannot recommend the Gold Spar on the corner between DBS Castle House and Dame St. Everything that is offered here is much cheaper at Dunnes.
Basic foods such as potatoes, onions and milk are relatively cheap, but not everything that is offered permanently in German supermarkets is also available in Ireland.
Due to leaking pipes, the water is mixed with chlorine, but the more rural the area or the further west you go, the more natural and better it will be. Nevertheless, you can drink the tap water without hesitation. But if you don’t like tap water, you can buy water in the supermarket. There are students who buy a bottle of water and fill it up again and again in the DBS at the dispenser. But if that is not in your interest either, I would buy water from the own brands of the supermarkets, which cost around EUR 0.50 per 2 liter bottle, regardless of whether it is carbonated or not.
Leisure / other
Even if Dublin has very little to offer on the surface, if you take a closer look you will find everything you want, need, regardless. Should you have found something nice or something else, just always ask for a student discount, which is available almost always and everywhere.
Now a few more tips
SIM card
It may be advisable to add a prepaid card for your mobile phone for the duration of your stay. O2 or Three have very good deals. So generally the SIM card is free, but you have to top it up with 20 EUR (which is common for SIM cards everywhere). For this you get at O2 z. B. 7.5 GB Internet and with Three 15 GB Internet. O2 has more options that can be booked, but they usually incur additional costs. Just compare what suits you better.
Alternatively, there is also a dongle at O2 (similar to a surf stick, creates a WLAN for PC, mobile phone or tablet, possibly with additional payment) with 15 GB internet volume for only 10 EUR / month (for students, can be canceled monthly)
Gym
Like some of my fellow students, I signed up at Iveaghs Gym, near St Patricks Cathedral. Costs around 50 EUR per month with prepayment and no registration fee. Prices are similar almost everywhere. Use of courses, pool, sauna, whirlpool included.
In general, the offer looks like this almost everywhere (i.e. Fitti, with sauna and pool). Ben Dunnes is a bit out of the way (at least one in Dublin 6W, you have to take a look at the others). When I wanted to register there, this gym was not very cooperative and I wasn’t allowed to do a trial training session. If you like it minimalist and just want to limit yourself to pumping (think without sauna and pool), go to the YMCA (Aungier St). I think it only costs 30 EUR. You can find more details on the internet.
Public transport
If you want to take the bus and it arrives accordingly, always wave the bus nicely, otherwise it won’t stop. You should always have the right change with you on the bus, bills are actually not accepted. If you pay too much, you get a credit that can be withdrawn from the bus company on Upper O’Connell St.
The buses, but also LUAS, unfortunately only run until 11-11.30 p.m., which of course limits a bit when partying, especially since the parties only start then.
On my smartphone, I could also have the timetables displayed on Google Maps. Because the buses leave later, but then really race, they never arrive quite on time. To be on the safe side, always be there 5 minutes in advance!
By the way, don’t forget to say “Thank you” when you get out.
The Studentleap Card, a bus ticket for students, costs EUR 100 for 30 days, but is valid throughout the Dublin area. In my opinion, the student leap applies to either the LUAS or the Dublin Bus. If your ticket, e.g. B. was issued for the Dublin Bus, unfortunately you cannot use it to drive LUAS for free. But you also have to pay extra to use the night bus (the N buses). But you can top up the Studentleap with credit, then you get a discount for the use of the other public transport (I think in my example that would be around 10% for LUAS and the night bus only costs 5 EUR instead of 6 EUR). For exact details, ask the bus company (located at Upper O’Connell St). The form for the Studentleap must be filled out at the DBS in Aungier St, but you will get the ID at Trinity College.
In the case of taxis, this page could help you a lot with the calculation. The calculation only roughly corresponds to the price, but the deviations are rather small. You access the website at your own risk and I am not responsible for the content of the site:
http://www.worldtaximeter.com/dublin
Basically, there is a day and a night rate as a tariff. Each additional person pays one euro more.
From the airport to Dublin you pay 6 EUR with the speedbus (takes about 30-45 minutes), but you can also take the 16 in the direction of Ballinteer (costs 3.15 EUR and takes about 50 minutes) or a taxi. The taxi either takes you via the M50 (if the city center is full, it is faster here, but it is more expensive for you due to the toll) or if you don’t want to get into Dublin at peak times (around: between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the morning and like this in the evening between 5-7.30 p.m.) you can also drive through the city, which is cheaper.
Security
Dublin is just a big city too. As in every big city, things are also stolen here. As long as you take good care of your things, always keep an eye on everything, you do not carry the monetary wealth outwards and show people with a healthy dose of skepticism but also respect nothing should happen to you. This also applies to the north, i.e. for the area O’Connell St, Parnell St, Dorset St, Henry St (up to the Church). For the safety of passers-by, there are CCTV cameras everywhere.
Party
Before the preliminary week of the course, “I love Dublin” will introduce you to a wristband for Erasmus parties in the DBS. With this bracelet, for which you have to pay 20 EUR, I should be able to go to all DBS theme parties (I think there were 7). In addition, you do not have to pay an entrance fee in selected clubs. For me, the bracelet wasn’t quite worth it. The selected clubs were not very appealing to me and I only went to such a theme party every second time. But maybe it was also because I enjoyed the pubs more. It was much easier to party elsewhere as well. Diceys Garden is highly recommended. On Sunday there is food for 5 EUR and bottles and pints for 2 EUR. Admission free until 7 p.m. Same game on Tuesdays, only here you pay 5 EUR for entry and drinks cost 2.50 EUR.
I can recommend dtwo less. Here the bartender did not put very little or no alcohol into the cocktail according to the recipe, but rather according to his mood. Dtwo should also be treated with caution when it comes to offers. The flyer (for the party I attended there) suggested that the beer had a fixed offer price. Afterwards there was only a not good tasting and warm bottled beer. The rest of the beers cost more.
The theme parties were always pretty good (about every two weeks, such as the Venetian Carnival, Pillow Fight, Mexican, Halloween Party). There was always finger food and a limited number of free drinks.
As for the pubs, I can recommend the Temple Bar Area , although they can be a bit touristy depending on the situation. Above all, good evenings can be spent at The Quays and The Norseman. The Porterhouse is a pub that offers its own brewed beer.
As you may have read elsewhere, the pints all cost around 5-6 EUR. JSounds like a lot at first, but doesn’t hurt so much afterwards
Eating
During the lectures, Dunnes (opposite) DBS Castle House can cater to you very well and cheaply. For tea time you could go to Bewleys, opposite. Castle House, corner of Dame Ln, go. Not only does it offer different types of coffee, but also delicious cakes. Queen of Tartes and Le Petit Parisien are also highly recommended. If you want something to eat in the evening, go to Milano (Temple Bar Area), Pitt Bros (next to Castle House), Pablo Picante, Bodo, the Church or Leo Burdocks near Christchurch. Just try everything. Should you have any food intolerance problems, the Irish handle it very well and everyone is taken care of!
Hair stylist
I went to some hairdressers upstairs in the Jervis Shopping Mall or Butchers Barber, and everything was relatively inadequate. In Temple Ln I found a barber who also cuts my hair properly. Unfortunately, I forgot the name, but if you go in the direction of the Temple Bar area with the DBS behind you, it is on the right-hand side.
Sightseeing
I didn’t really want to write about what you can all see in Dublin and Ireland.
In Dublin I would see all the popular sights. There are different places on the beach around Dublin that are easy to visit, but depending on the situation, you have to make do with long walks.
During my “long-distance trips” I concentrated more on the north and west and a little on the south. In the North Giant Causeway is a must! Belfast is beautiful, but nothing compared to Dublin. On the west coast, Donegal is said to have very beautiful beaches. Westport is very nice (if you should be there, eat at The Helm). Connemara very beautiful. Galway is ok, but you have to see the cliffs. Ring of Kerry, Killarney recommended. From Portmagee to Skellig Michael, a steep, “dangerous” island where the new Star Wars film was filmed. 45 min crossing by boat (one way) and costs 50EUR. The boats do not operate in winter and in bad weather. But definitely worth it! Mizen Head one experiences the most beautiful sunsets. Cork is quite nice,
In general, it is advisable to get together in smaller groups, book accommodation with Airbnb (check that you already have an account and, if necessary, already have corresponding reviews) and explore the island with a rental car. Ideally, you should bring your own GPS with you, because Irish car rental costs around 10 EUR / day. I always rented the cars from Europcar. The minimum age to drive is 25. For very large vehicles (e.g. people carrier for 9 people) you must be 30 and have a driving license for 12 years. There are one or two websites that let you rent a car when you are 21, but a deposit and deductible are required. So, especially with left-hand traffic and through the narrow streets, scratches come into the car very quickly, so always have full insurance without self-service, because otherwise the money is gone very, very quickly! At Europcar it always went well and they are located behind Trinity College on Tara St. If you want to go to Northern Ireland, a Northern Ireland flat rate is charged (think for insurance reasons). At Europcar it was around 140 EUR)
The bus tours, which mostly make the day trip, are not worthwhile because they only stop at the photo spots, you can take a photo and then you go on again.
Electricity
The electricity in Ireland is a little different than in Germany. In general, the battery of the devices to be charged is used up much faster. It can happen that due to the voltage fluctuations (overvoltage), the electronic devices are irreparably destroyed. It is therefore recommended that when the electronic devices are not in use, e.g. B. to pull the battery cable of the laptop out of the socket.
Conclusion:
Before starting the semester abroad, I was a bit skeptical about the location. In retrospect, however, I have to say that these thoughts were not justified because I was able to gain so much experience there. If I had the opportunity to go there again, I would do it again right away!
