Field of study in Wageningen: Food Technology
Study period exchange: 16/01/2023 – 21/05/2023
Country (exchange): Ireland
City (exchange): Dublin
University (exchange): Technological University Dublin
Faculty (exchange): Food Science and Environmental Health
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I choose to go on study exchange because I wanted to experience what studying and living is like in a different country. I wanted to see how I would handle being away from home for a couple of months in a completely new environment. It seemed like a very great experience to have.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
I choose for Ireland because Ireland always occurred to me as a very beautiful and nice country. I had been to Ireland a few times before and I always felt very at home. I wanted to experience what it was like to live there. TU Dublin was actually my second choice, but it was nevertheless very great, and I would not want to have had it any other way.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
The most straightforward way to go to Dublin is by plane, since Ireland is a big island. Once you are in Dublin, there are many ways to travel from the airport to your accommodation, like buses and taxis.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses? 
How is the study formalized?
All courses were on a sufficient academic level for bachelor students. The examination of each course could be different. Some courses had only an exam as examination, while other courses had an exam as well as a report and/or a presentation, while some other courses used only a report and/or a presentation. The workload of the courses was well spread among the semester.
What is the culture of the university?
All lecturers were easily approachable, especially since all courses were given to relatively small groups of students (maximum approximately 30) it was always possible to ask questions to your lecturer either during the lesson or after or to send them an email. Some lecturers engaged a lot during their lessons with the students by asking many question and creating classroom discussions on the teaching material. Other lecturers were less interactive and recited their lessons. Both methods of teaching were nice and appropriate for the specific courses. The main difference compared to the WUR were the smaller groups of students that followed the courses. This ranged from 5 students to around 30 students for the courses that I followed.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
The university offers several other facilities that students can use. There are catering facilities where students can sit, eat, and drink during their breaks or free time. There is a sports facility (a gym) on the campus that is open throughout the week. Finally, there are many sports or other clubs that students can become a member to meet other students while participating in their hobby. For Erasmus students the university organised several activities that we could attend, like a large hike though nature and going to a Gaelic football game.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
There is availability to sign up for student housing (comparable to Idealis in Wageningen), but this does not go through the university itself. You would have to contact the housing organisations yourself. These houses are filled quite quickly, so you should be fast or otherwise email them if they have any other possibilities for you. You can also rent privately by searching for a room on, for example, Facebook. This is where I found my room in a student house with 8 other Erasmus students. The university offers to help with finding rooms in host families. You therefore have to email the international students housing contact person. The rent rates in Dublin are significantly higher than in Wageningen. I paid €800 a month for my room, which was relatively cheap. The Idealis-like rooms could easily cost €1000 or €1100 a month.
What is the culture of the country like?
The culture in Dublin is not very different from the culture in the Netherlands.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
As mentioned above: the rent rates in Dublin are significantly higher than in Wageningen. I paid €800 a month for my room, which was relatively cheap. The Idealis-like rooms could easily cost €1000 or €1100 a month.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Public transport is much cheaper in Ireland compared to the Netherlands. You can order a student bus card with which a bus journey costs you €1 for 90 minutes of travelling. This card can also be used for the tram lines in Dublin, which are even cheaper than the bus. Taxi prices are also cheaper than in the Netherlands. A taxi ride from the airport to the city centre (around 20 minutes) costs around €15 to €20 euros. I lived quite close to the university, so I walked every day. But the university was also well accessible with the bus and the tram, or even by bike. This also counts for other locations in Dublin such as museums etc.
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Ireland is full of beautiful nature. Howth and Gray are two villages surrounded by beautiful nature very close to Dublin that are easily accessible by train (using your public transport card for €2). Also, all large cities in Dublin are easily accessible by intercity trains that can be booked online in advance for very nice weekend or day trips.
What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?
14 Henrietta Street is a very nice museum. Powerscourt gardens is a very nice estate and parc that you can visit in the Wicklow mountains by taking a bus from Dublin.
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
ESN organises weekend trips for Erasmus students to many different places in Ireland. These are very nice and relatively cheap. Definitely a must do if you want to see different places in Ireland. Going out is possible in the well-known Temple Bar area. Here there are many nice pubs but also many tourists. However the atmosphere is always very nice. If you want to go to an area where there are a little bit less tourists, you should go to Harcourt street (Coppers or Diceys).
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
There were not many challenges that I have experienced during my exchange.
What was your best memory abroad?
I have many amazing memories, but my favourite moments were the weekend trips that I have done to many different places in Ireland, like Cork, Galway, Killarney, Belfast, Donegal, etc.