Ireland Programs 2018/19 - UCEAP Arrival and Orientation Information Fall 2018 - UC Education Abroad Program
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Ireland Programs 2018/19
UCEAP Arrival and Orientation Information
Fall 2018TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contact details for UCEAP Study Centre
Social Media – Keeping Connected
UCEAP orientation in Ireland
(a) Dates & Venue
(b) Orientation Accommodation
(c) How to get to UCEAP orientation
(d) Orientation Program
Host Institution Orientation
Arriving early and Host Institution Accommodation
Luggage, cell phones, money and jet lag – useful tips from previous participants
2Contact details for UCEAP Study Centre
There is no UCEAP office in Ireland. Your closest office is in Edinburgh, Scotland. You will meet
UCEAP staff during your orientation. Staff will be available to assist you throughout your time
here with any academic or health-related matters.
UCEAP Edinburgh Study Centre
25 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh, EH8 9LN
Tel : +44 (0)131 662 8988
Email: abell@sc.eap.ucop.edu
Emergency Cell number: (only available if dialling from inside Ireland) 1 800 812 672
Social Media – Keeping Connected
Be sure to connect with UCEAP Ireland via our website and our Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram social media accounts! There you’ll find great articles, student testimonials, tips
and photos relating to studying abroad in Ireland and the variety of events held for UCEAP
Ireland students throughout the year! Simply click on the links to find out more information.
Check out our great Blogsite with stories and experiences from past UCEAP students
UCEAP Ireland Facebook UCEAP UK & Ireland Instagram
3UCEAP orientation in Ireland
All students attending universities in Ireland must attend a UCEAP orientation in Dublin.
Full participation in the UCEAP orientation is required for all students as it is an integral part of the student
contract.
Failure to attend the whole UCEAP orientation could result in dismissal from the program.
All students must read the UCEAP Program Guide and Pre-Departure Checklist (PDC) as well as this
document. These contain essential information relating to your time abroad.
(a) UCEAP Orientation Dates & Venue
UCEAP orientation will take place in Dublin. Please find below the date, location and start time.
UCEAP Arrive in Dublin UCEAP Orientation
Your Irish Host UCEAP Orientation UCEAP Orientation
Orientation for Orientation accommodation
University starts: ends:
Location by:
(In hotel reception)
NUI Galway, Clayton Hotels
Trinity College Cardiff Lane, Sir John Wednesday 29 August Friday 31 August
Dublin Wednesday 29
Dublin, Rogersons Quay, @ 3pm @ 9am
August @ 3pm
UC Dublin, Dublin, D02 YT21,
& UC Cork Ireland
4Orientation Accommodation:
UCEAP has pre-paid 2 nights at the Clayton Hotel on Cardiff Lane so you are not responsible for arranging or
paying for UCEAP orientation accommodation. If you require any additional nights, please arrange and pay
for this directly with the hotel. There are several branches of the Jurys Inn in Dublin so please ensure you
travel to the Cardiff Lane location.
Clayton Hotel,
Cardiff Lane,
Sir John Rogersons Quay,
Dublin, D02 YT21, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 643 9500
Email: info.cardifflane@claytonhotels.com
Please search “Clayton Cardiff Lane” for online map: Location
Check-in is from 2pm onwards but if your room is available, the hotel will let you check in early. Alternatively,
please ask to store your luggage in the locked storeroom and meet the group in Reception at 3pm.
Check-out is by 12 noon.
5(b) How to get to UCEAP Orientation:
Getting to Ireland:
Airline information:
You can fly to Ireland directly from the States or via one of the larger UK airports depending on the airline. We
recommend that you fly into Dublin International Airport. If you are flying into Shannon airport and want to
know how to get to Dublin please contact abell@sc.eap.ucop.edu.
For flight information, you may wish to check the following airlines, although this is just an initial list:
Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air
Or alternatively, you can use the flight checker websites Skyscanner and Kayak.
Getting from the Airport to the orientation hotel:
To get to the hotel from Dublin International airport, take the Airlink Bus to Dublin Convention Centre.
Please see the attached bus stop brochure: Airlink Bus Information. This will cost you around €7 euros for a
single fare.
The bus will drop you off at the Dublin Convention Centre on N Wall Quay. From here, it is a short walk to the
hotel across the water as indicated on the map below:
You could also take a taxi directly from the airport. This costs around €30 euros but it may be worth it if you
have a lot of luggage or there are a few of you to share the cost! If you are arriving later in the evening we
strongly recommend getting a taxi directly to the hotel.
Please note that if you get a taxi you do not need to tip the driver too much, generally 1 or 2 euros will be
enough.
6(c) UCEAP Orientation Program
Your UCEAP Orientation will start at 3pm prompt in the hotel reception. After a few quick welcomes from
UCEAP staff and the opportunity to meet other UC students on your program we will have a short Health and
Safety presentation. We will then go for an early group dinner as you will all be tired and jet-lagged!
Day 2 will start with breakfast in the hotel before continuing with Academic and Cultural presentations. In the
afternoon there will be an activity in Dublin and in the evening we will go for another group dinner which will
incorporate an Irish music and dancing show!
Day 3 is when you make your way to your host city/accommodation. UCEAP will either give you a bus ticket to
your host city or €10 for a taxi to your accommodation. You will still have breakfast in the hotel and must be
checked out by 12 noon.
You are advised to wear comfortable shoes as we will be doing a lot of walking and to bring a bottle of water.
You will also need a small amount of money (around 15 euros) for lunches. Ireland is prone to a lot of rain as
you will become no stranger too, make sure you bring waterproof clothing! It will be very busy in Dublin so
please do not wonder off when we are out as a group!
Please note that UCEAP orientation is for UCEAP students only. Friends and family will not be able to
participate in UCEAP orientation meetings or activities but there are plenty of attractions in Dublin for
them to see whilst you are busy. Check the Dublin tourist website for an idea of what is available.
7Host Institution Orientation
(a) Travel to host institution
Students going to Galway and Cork:
UCEAP will pre-purchase a Citylink or Aircoach coach ticket for you from Dublin to Galway or Cork
respectively. You do not need to arrange this travel yourself. Your bus will leave Dublin in the morning of
your UCEAP orientation end date and the journey will last around 2.5 hours. You will be given instructions at
orientation on how to get to the correct bus stop in Dublin.
UCEAP students will be housed at various residences around Galway and Cork. Our advice is that upon arrival
in your host city, you take a taxi to your accommodation. As both cities are fairly small, a taxi should cost you
no more than 15 euro. You will be with other UC students so if you are heading in the same direction it will be
cheaper to share a taxi.
Students going to UC Dublin & Trinity College Dublin
If you are staying in campus accommodation or in a private residence in Dublin city centre, UCEAP will give
€10 towards a taxi fare to take you to your accommodation. Further information will be given at UCEAP
orientation.
Host University Orientation
You must attend the mandatory orientation sessions at your host university. These will range from meeting
with advisors, registering for classes, campus tours and society fairs. These are a great way to familiarise
yourself with your new university and what will be offered to you throughout your stay! You can find out all
the information about your orientation at the following links (Please note - these will be updated closer to
arrival):
UNIVERSITY DATES
UC DUBLIN September 4-7, 2018
NUI GALWAY September 6-7, 2018
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN September 3-7, 2018
UC CORK September 5-7, 2018
8Arriving Early and Host Institution Accommodation:
Arriving a couple of days early to allow you to acclimatise and get over the worst of your jetlag is an option
but not required. However please note: if you do arrive early, you are responsible for your accommodation
arrangements. If you wish to add extra nights in advance of the orientation, please contact your orientation
hotel directly.
Please refer to the 2018/19 Program Guide tab for detailed information on host university
housing. If you are arriving in Dublin before the start of the orientation you can also find
suggested temporary accommodation here. There are also links to each host universities
accommodation website below.
You can find a QR Code which links to the Programme guide at the start of this document.
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN STUDENTS:
Please note that campus accommodation is not guaranteed, especially for students coming for one
semester only. Trinity gives priority to first year students and international students who are staying for the
full year as long as applications are submitted before the deadline. Detailed information on finding private
accommodation in Dublin is given in your Program Guide, as above.
We recommend that you join the EAPIreland Facebook page to connect with other UC students coming to
Dublin. It may be easier, and cheaper, to look for accommodation as a group rather than for single rooms. If
you wish to contact current Trinity students and ask for their first-hand experience of searching for housing
in Dublin please get in touch with the Edinburgh Study Centre (abell@sc.eap.ucop.edu) who will be able to
put you in touch.
When looking through the Program Guide please pay close attention to the recommended areas to rent
accommodation in Dublin. We strongly advise that you do not make any payments for accommodation
before you have had a chance to view it in person.
YOU CAN FIND FURTHER INFORMATION ON FINDING HOUSING AT TRINITY ON THEIR WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE
It may also be possible to check in to your campus accommodation early or find alternative temporary
accommodation on campus. The Accommodation Office at your host institution will be able to provide you
with exact details of rooms available and costs.
If you have family travelling over with you or you prefer to stay in private bed & breakfast / hotel
accommodation for your first few days, then you may also find hotel recommendations on your host campus
Accommodation website and the local Tourist Board websites, as listed below.
9Host University Accommodation Office Contact Details:
UC CORK
College Road, Cork
Tel: +353 21 490 2353
Email: asa@ucc.ie; studentpad@ucc.ie
NUI GALWAY
Aras Ui Chathail Building, Galway
Tel: +353 91 492 760
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
Accommodation Office
West Chapel
Trinity College, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 896 1177
Email: residences@tcd.ie
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
UC Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 1034
Email: internationalaccommodation@ucd.ie.
Alternatively, you can also find hotel accommodation via the local tourist board.
Cork Tourist Board: http://www.corktourist.com/
Dublin Tourist Board: http://www.dublintourist.com/
Galway Tourist Board: http://www.galwaytourist.com/
Ireland Tourist Board: http://www.discoverireland.ie/Where-To-Stay/Accommodation-Guide
10Luggage, Cell Phones, Money and Jet Lag
Useful Tips from Previous Participants
LUGGAGE
Travel light!
Students routinely say how they wish they had brought HALF of what they actually did for their time abroad …
Every year many students seem surprised at how far and how many times they have to move and carry their
suitcases.
In Ireland, you will notice a lot of stairs, uneven pavements and no elevators. You should also expect to have
to lift and carry your bags quite a bit on the journey from the airport to orientation accommodation, and, in
all likelihood, at your host university as well (very few host university residences have elevators). So it is
worth trying to travel as lightly as possible!
One solution for students who do have a lot of things they wish to bring for the year is to arrange to have the
heavier items shipped directly to their host university after arrival. Please check with your host university
directly if this is permitted. Students who decide to do this will have to ensure they have the correct delivery
address (and in particular the postcode) for any shipment. Items like bed linen, duvets or blankets take up a
lot of room in your suitcase, so it is much better to purchase them here. Many Halls will have a scheme where
you can buy these items so check the host university website in advance of arrival.
It is also worth noting that many students do tell us that they buy more clothes than they expected to while
on their year abroad (bargains are available here, contrary to expectation!). So please take note and bring as
little with you as you can.
MOBILE PHONES
We encourage you to get an Irish SIM card while you are abroad. Most students will buy a cheap handset (no
more than €30) with an Irish SIM card as it is cheaper and also if an emergency occurs we will be able to
contact you easily.
The other option is to unlock your US phone. Some newer models (for example the iPhone 6) are now
automatically unlocked. This means you can purchase an Irish SIM card (normally €10) and use your current
phone. You will need to call your US cell company before arrival to unlock it and whether this can be
approved. Sometimes unlocking your phone can void the warranty.
We will cover mobile phones and how to buy them in more detail during your orientation.
11MONEY
Please make sure your US bank knows that you will be abroad! You don’t want to try your card while here
only to have the purchase rejected because your bank thinks someone outside the country has stolen your
account details!
Our host institutions have banks on, or very close to campus. You can only open a bank account in Ireland
once you have arrived. In order to open a bank account here, you will need a letter from your host university,
proof of your new address and your passport. It can take some time to organise and have access to your new
bank account so you are advised to bring enough money in traveller’s cheques or have this available via a US
account to get you going.
Tipping: We do not tip here in Ireland as much as you may be used to doing in California. Generally speaking,
if you were to go to a formal restaurant then it is customary to leave 10% as a tip. If you are in a café and
receive table service, leaving small change is acceptable but not necessary. Bar staff do not receive tips at all.
In taxis, we would round up the fare to the nearest 1 euro or perhaps give 1.50 euro if for longer journeys.
Registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB):
PLEASE REFER TO THE UCEAP PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON REGISTERTING
WITH IRISH IMMIGRATION
It is ESSENTIAL that you attend the information sessions on registering with the GNIB at your host university.
These will be scheduled during your host orientation and you may even be sent more information prior to
arriving. Please read all information relating to this as it is imperative that you comply with immigration
requirements.
12JET LAG
Before the flight:
1) Try to get plenty of rest and hydrate.
2) It can sometimes help to start adjusting to your new time zone a few days before travelling. Setting
your watch ahead and shifting your meals can train your brain into the new time zone.
While on the flight:
1) Stay away from coffee and alcohol!
2) It’s best, while flying internationally, to drink water, as hydration is key to fighting jet lag.
3) Make yourself comfortable, even if that means you bring a pair of pyjamas to wear for the flight.
4) Depending on the time of your flight, you might want to forgo the dinner they serve, as it will
probably be in the middle of night in Ireland. It’s okay to snack, but try to wait until breakfast is
served.
5) Try to sleep on the plane! Even if you only get a few hours, this will help you upon your arrival in
Ireland. It is a long journey and upon arrival you will be expected to stay alert and focus to participate
in the UCEAP orientation.
After the flight:
1) Try to stay awake until evening (always aim for 8-9pm) the first day. Not only will orientation be
occurring, so you will need to stay alert and focused, but this will help your body adjust to the new
time more quickly.
2) Continue to drink lots of water.
3) Get sunlight. Yes, Ireland may be known for clouds, but sunlight will help those circadian rhythms get
into their new time zone!
Combating a jet lag can take up to a few days. With these steps, you should be able to tackle it well.
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