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What does a university student intern do exactly you might be thinking? Contrary to popular belief, an internship isn’t about organising a filing cabinet or making coffees all day for your boss. The responsibilities of an intern have evolved. You’ll find yourself working on different projects.
Here is more on internship and placement in Ireland. HomeHak has shared some insights into the role of an intern below.
What is a university student intern?
An intern is a trainee who has signed on with an organisation for a brief period. An intern’s goal is to gain work experience, occasionally some university credit, and always an overall feel for the industry they’re interning in. Internships may be paid, partially paid, or unpaid. The work experience period may range from a handful of weeks up to 2 years. It’s also not uncommon to receive a full-time offer upon completion of your internship with a company. Studies show that employers like to hire interns and use their internships as well to source new talent for their company.
You can intern pretty much anywhere you would like. In most cases, you have the option of doing an internship close to home or abroad. An international internship can help give you a competitive edge in today’s saturated job market. Even better, an international internship is a fantastic way to help you build a global career and network.
What does an intern do?
That depends on the industry in question and the kind of internship you’ve signed up for. A university student intern is primarily a support role – at least in the beginning. When you join up, your main job will be to assist, learn, and grow. After you’ve settled in, you’ll be expected to pull your own weight.
Assist and contribute to the team!
As an intern, don’t expect to spearhead a critical project right off the bat, at least not yet. In the beginning of your internship, you may spend your time simply trying to learn how the company works. You may shadow an employee to get an understanding of their role. After a day or a few days of learning the ins-and-outs of the company. You’ll start to assist and contribute more to the team. Some duties to be performed include clerical duties, managing social media and emails, event handling and research.
Learn and gain experience
This is an opportunity to learn as much as you possibly can while you work, regardless of the kind of internship you’ve signed up for. It can be broken down into two main areas: hard skills are the technical skills you need to carry out your intern responsibilities, and eventually job duties, and soft skills are all about your ability to relate to people and building mutually-beneficial relationships.
Job shadow
Job shadowing has become the norm recently. As the name suggests, the practice involves “shadowing” someone as they perform their daily duties, observing their activities, and learning what the role entails via indirect experience.
Take on an increasing amount of responsibility
As time goes by, expect to shoulder an increasing amount of responsibility. Initially, they’ll gauge your current skill set and reliability with your initial workload.
Networking
This involves building relationships with your bosses, colleagues, and customers and clients. You’ll need the backing and support of people in places to build a successful career. Also, building good relationships with customers is always good for the organisation. Hereare some tips on how to network while on placement.
Make a career call
Finally, usually at the tail-end of your internship, you have to make a career-defining decision. Do you continue in the field you interned in or try your hand at something else entirely. You got a taste of what working in your industry full-time would be like. Did you love the experience and can’t wait to dive back in again? Or do you feel you’d be happier doing something else? That’s the beauty of an internship, you can always go into another field you would like.
Reference
You should have the goal to secure a solid employer reference at the end of your internship. This will help you throughout the rest of your professional career. Check out this articleto see how to ask someone to be a reference
To summarise
It’s important you enter your internship with the right mindset. Also, carrying out your intern responsibilities successfully will assist you in building up a potent skill set that will shine in your next role.
For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:
Even if not required, completing a University Student internship while in college gives you exposure to the workforce. It helps develop your skills. Additionally, it begins to fill out your resume so that acquiring work is easier for you later.
College education in itself used to be enough to guarantee you a high-paying job after graduation. But with more and more choosing to attend college, a degree alone unfortunately doesn’t cut it anymore. Employers expect you to have internship experience. This is so that you come to your first job out of school ready to hit the ground running.
We know that getting one can be tough — which is why we’ve come up with a guide. Follow HomeHak’s top tips to get an internship and you’ll get an offer in no time!
University students need to consider their qualifications
What is one of the most common misconceptions that university students have about how to get an internship? That they must apply to every position that catches their eye to increase their odds. But this is a sure-fire recipe for radio silence from recruiters and hiring managers. Instead, think about the skills and experience you currently possess, and which positions you might be a good fit for based on that information.
A few ways to narrow down which internships are right for you:
Think about your degree: Look up common career fields and job titles for people with your major.
Consider your experience: Think about your previous work experience, and which roles it might prepare you for.
Identify transferable skills: Skills that help you succeed in school or in the student organisations you participate in — such as organisation, critical thinking and time management — will all be useful in the working world.
Explore your interests: With how much time you spend at work, you want to make sure you enjoy it! Write down a few career fields that interest you, and search internships in those areas.
Start small: Don’t feel pressured to get your dream internship right away, especially if you have no prior work experience.
Know Where to Look
Once you have a more concrete idea of which university student internships would be the right fit, it’s time to see what’s out there! Here’s how you can do that.
Visit Job Sites: Websites like Glassdoorhave millions of job listings, so you’re bound to find something that’s right for you. You can search for the internship titles you’re interested in.
Use Your College’s Career Resources: Almost all colleges have a career site where employers interested in hiring their students can post positions. Career and internship fairs can also be invaluable, as they allow you to connect face-to-face with hiring decision-makers. Hereis an example of one.
Leverage Your Network: Getting a personal recommendation can make all the difference in your internship search, so make sure to reach out to friends, family, colleagues, classmates, professors and alumni to see if they know anyone hiring.
Contact Companies Directly: If you have a dream company in mind, but they don’t have any relevant internships, you can always try writing them a letter of interest in hopes that they will either contact you when one opens or even create a new one for you.
Prepare Your Application Materials
No matter what job you apply to, there are a few key materials you’re going to want to have on hand. Here are the most common ones, and how to perfect them before you apply.
Resumesare brief documents that showcase your skills, education and professional background. Typically, resumes will contain your name and contact info, education, professional summary, work experience, skills and additional experience.
Cover letters add additional colour and context to your application. They should persuade whoever is reading the letter that you are uniquely right for the job. They show that you are passionate about the opportunity, and provide a more well-rounded picture of who you are as a candidate.
Social Media Profiles – many recruiters use social media to research candidates. So if you haven’t already, you may want to create a professional social media profile, especially on a networking site like LinkedIn.
Interview Like an Expert as a university student
Before your interview, make sure to look up some basic information on the company — things like what products/services they offer, who’s on their leadership team, what milestones they’ve reached recently, who their competitors are, etc.
Make sure to come up with a few questions of your own. Ask your interviewer specific questions about the company. This will show that you are passionate, curious and well-informed. Hereare 7 good questions to ask at an interview.
We recommend that you send a thank-you note to anybody you spoke with. Thank-you notes show that you’re organised and thoughtful, which both matter a great deal to employers.
With any luck, you’ll get an internship offer from the company shortly afterwards. Most companies make it official by sending you an offer letter, which you will be expected to sign and return to them. Look out for important details like start dates, responsibilities, pay and location. You should also ask if there’s anything you can do between now and your start date in order to prepare for your role — you want to make sure to start off on the right foot.
To summarise
College is the ideal time to gain the knowledge and experience needed to prepare you for a new career. While it is a transition time into adulthood where critical thinking and a broader sense of learning is acquired, traditionally it is also where moves to start a career are made. For this reason, attending college and acquiring an internship often go hand in hand.
We hope you enjoyed HomeHak’s university student internship in Ireland – how to get one top tips guide!
For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:
Struggling to Get a Student Internship in Ireland? Here is What To Do.
Struggling to gain an internship somewhere? Losing confidence? Feeling anxious? So, you applied for every possible internship available. You did all your research, got your applications in on time, asked everyone you know if they can help you and yet you still have not managed to secure a coveted internship place this time round.
And you’re panicking. Naturally of course, because every graduate employer tells you just how important work experience is. It’s frustrating, we know, but setbacks like this can happen. Being an academically strong student, this might even be the first time you have been rejected from something.
The key thing however is not to despair. How you handle such obstacles is key to your own personal development. We promise with a bit of lateral thinking, you can get the experience you need to make your CV stand out. HomeHak has put together a few tips to help you develop professionally and stand out from the crowd.
Expand your search
Have you only applied to the big names? Consider that there may be plenty of other companies out there that could also offer you a valuable insight into the sector in which you’re interested. Gaining sound work experience at a suitable company, be it big, small or boutique, adds value to your CV at this stage, so do not dismiss this.
Try freelancing or build your own project
If you have a particular skill, like writing, programming, or design, put out a call to your network or create a profile on sites like Upworkto trade your skills for paid projects. Not only will you hone your skills, but you’ll gain valuable experience meeting real deadlines and delivering real results – all while bringing in some money.
Take up online classes
As another option, you could consider doing a short course or extra educational qualification. Learning a language, learning to code or learning to drive are all extra skills you can put down on your CV. One example is Bright Network Academy. There are plenty of websites offering courses that you can take up online. You can find a huge variety of subjects ranging from business and management to humanities. Explore online courses from websites like FutureLearn, edX, or Courserato build professional skills.
Depending on the field you’re going into, speaking another language can improve your employability and increase your overall job prospects. You can start by checking out free online language learning platforms like Duolingo and Memrise.
If you are struggling volunteer for organisations in your areas of interest
Volunteering looks great on your CV. Often you can find volunteering opportunities in something that is relevant or appropriate to you. From volunteering you will gain great transferrable skills and experience. It also demonstrates that your time is spent productively and that you have a humanitarian side to you.
Expand your professional network
To help your internship or job search in the future, take this time to reach out to people and expand your network. Even if you don’t attend networking events, it is possible to grow your network through LinkedIn.
Build your personal brand
Keep building your personal brand through a personal website. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily set it up over the summer. Check out hosts that allow you to build one for free, like WordPressor Wix. A personal website is a great advantage for college students and professionals alike because it allows future employers to view your background and see how well you apply what you know.
To summarise
Internships aren’t the only way to set yourself up for rewarding full-time opportunities. From building your own projects to learning new skills to networking virtually, you can take charge and be proactive in your professional and personal growth. We hope you enjoyed HomeHak’s top recommendations if you are struggling to get a student internship in Ireland.
For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:
The Wrong Things – What NOT To Do on Your Irish Student Internship
We are always told what we should do in placements. But what about the things we SHOULD NOT do? The wrong things? Some may think that it is common sense. But it’s just as important to point out what you should NOT do as it is to point out what students SHOULD do.
Here are HomeHak’s top tips of what NOT to do on your placement.
Even if you are comfortable at the company and see other employees wearing jeans or flip flops. A major wrong things to do is dressing down. Unless you are specifically instructed to do so by your internship coordinator/director.
Do NOT park in any spot but where you were assigned to park
The last thing you want is for a security official to have to track you down and have you move your car. You don’t want to block an executive in and be a burden to anyone. Common sense goes hand in hand with doing the wrong things.
Do NOT keep your phone ringer on
Vibrate is not acceptable. Turn your phone completely off. Don’t even get caught pressing the IGNORE button. It should sit in your pocket or purse the entire day and not be touched unless you are on a break or lunch.
Stay away from scrolling social media
Be as focused as you can on your placement. Make sure you are not checking Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc… It is VERY awkward to get caught on there from your boss.
Make sure you volunteer yourself when you aren’t doing anything. Many placement coordinators don’t realise that you have completed tasks. Take the initiative to approach them and see if they need help.
Don’t interrupt
Being eager is a wonderful quality as an intern, but don’t interrupt people when they are speaking – even if to ask for help. Wait your turn.
Know your place
Let’s face it, as a placement student, you are starting from the bottom. If important work related conversations are happening, take a step back. At least pretend like you are listening and show the executives/boss your full respect. Don’t give your boss any “great” ideas unless he/she asks for them. Some people might take your ideas and brainstorming as you feeling “more entitled” than others.
Ask before you eat
Make sure you ask if it is ok to eat at your desk before just taking out your lunch and eating. Some companies are very sensitive about food around their computers.
Don’t give a half-effort
Make sure you complete every task to the fullest extent possible. You want to go above and beyond in order to stand out and for people to remember your name and your work.
Don’t use only your first name
When introducing yourself to people, state your first and last name. You want everyone to remember you. This distinguishes you from other people with the same first name.
Always Ask
Make sure to ask questions. Even if you feel stupid, it is so much better to ask questions than to just do the wrong things. Make sure you know what you are asking and that you are coming across clearly.
Finally to finish on a few last reminders – make clear copies, don’t jam the printer, don’t spill the coffee, don’t mess up the coffee, don’t print on paper with holes unless you are instructed to, don’t use colored pens, don’t speak too loudly, don’t draw too much attention to yourself with your personality or appearance. Try not to chew gum, use curse words, show up late, or anything that you would have been in trouble for in secondary school.
Too often interns will think they have to do everything by themselves — you don’t! Your managers and teammates are there to help you overcome roadblocks and manage tough questions and issues. Interns should always be open to learning new things and not be afraid to go out of their comfort zones.
Make sure you’ve told your supervisor that you are interested in a job at the company. It’s also imperative that you ask that person for advice on how to get jobs at their specific company. Take the time to follow the directions your supervisor provides on how to turn the internship into the job. We hoped you learned from our guide on the wrong things to do on your Irish student internship!
For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:
Irish Student University Internship are a great way to test the waters of the working world, get credits for university or even launch a career. Even though you’re only hired for a few months, it’s your time to shine and make sure you become the intern of all interns.
Placement experience can help you make long-lasting career connections, get great recommendations for future positions and teach you a lot about an industry.
Play your cards right, and a work experience placement can be a stepping-stone to being offered your dream job. Government statisticsshow that 42% of those who undertake work experience placements are offered a job at the end. But what’s the best way to make it into a golden opportunity? From researching the company thoroughly before starting to showing initiative and being prepared to get your hands dirty. HomeHak is going to share with you a few tips that can help ensure that you’re successful in your role at an Irish student university internship.
Make a great impression at an Irish student university internship
Start strong by showing your manager that you’re excited, engaged, and serious. Besides dressing well, you should show up early and stay eager. Ask your boss what he or she would like to see from you.
Ask questions, and carry a notebook
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and be sure to jot down notes. You’ll not only remember important things, you’ll also signal an important message to your boss. Whenever you’re in a meeting or shadowing someone, always take notes. That way your boss will see that you’re paying attention and are engaged from day one.
Set up coffee meetings with your co-workers
Use coffee breaks as an opportunity to get to know your boss and your co-workers better. Ask them about their experience,. Also, about their vision for the company over the next few months then bring the conversation back to actionable ways that you can make an impact in your position. By reaching out to your team, you’ll be perceived as more likeable and friendly, and that will make you more likely to get hired and promoted. This is also a great way to build up your professional network.
Once you know your responsibilities and can complete them well, go the extra mile. Aim to complete a few “nice-to-have” items – terms for projects your boss has mentioned in passing but hasn’t had the time to do. If your boss has said, “Eventually we’ll want to do this…” follow up on it and ask how you can help. This will impress your supervisor. It sends a clear message that you’re serious about your internship.
Don’t leave at night without stopping by your boss’ desk
At 5 p.m. it may be tempting to pack up and go, but stop by your manager’s desk first. Don’t just disappear at the end of the day. Ask your manager if there is anything else they need right now. If you’re asked to complete some small task, do it without rushing through it. Your boss will appreciate that you’re not simply at the internship to get your hours in.
Keep a record of what you accomplish
Write down everything you accomplish at the end of your first week, and every week after that. The simple trick won’t just boost your self-confidence. Having a track record of the ways that you’re contributing to the company as an Irish student university internship will come in handy when you’re ready to ask for a recommendation letter, or if you are thinking about joining the company full-time. With this list of skills you learned and projects you accomplished, you’ll be better prepared to help your manager write a great reference letter for you. You can also vouch for yourself if there’s an opportunity for a full-time role.
At the end of your placement
Send a thank-you note after you finish your placement; it’s usually best to do this via email or post, rather than on social media. This shows courtesy, and will help to ensure that you’re remembered.
Providing your school and workplace allow it, you might want to consider keeping in touch with your employer. Your manager or colleagues may have useful advice or even contacts and opportunities to pass along to you in the future. Before you leave, ask for their preferred method of keeping in touch.
To summarise
If you don’t enjoy your Irish student university internship, you may decide against keeping in contact or pursuing that career. However, this doesn’t make the experience a waste of time. Every experience in a work environment looks great on a CV, so take some time to reflect. Identify any transferable skills you’ve picked up, and make sure you can illustrate them with specific examples – perhaps you showed that you’re a quick learner by familiarising yourself with a new software package. Be sure to make a note of any acquired skills during or soon after the placement so you don’t forget the details.
For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:
You have decided on a course, packed your bags and said your goodbyes to your family. It is now time to forge your identity and find your community in third level education. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your university experience in Ireland.
Choosing where to go to college is important, but so are the everyday decisions about how you go to college. These are the building blocks to a great college experience where you can find your people, purpose, and career path. Here are HomeHak’s top tips to help you create a college experience that works for you.
Lead a student organisation
Whether a club, sports team, or something else, you’ll benefit greatly from leading something in college. It will build your confidence, skills, and a network. It will also help you identify and work toward your life and career goals. Have an interest in art and craft but there is presently no club for it? Create one and meet like minded people! Here is an example of setting up a society in Trinity.
Make use of the library
In addition to using your library as a place to study, libraries can help you on a research project, write more effectively, analyse and visualise data, record and edit videos, and make better presentations. Students who use libraries do better academically and are 1.44 times more likely to graduate. Hereis how to make the most of the library in university.
Your dorm room or apartment might not be the best environment in which to do your homework and studying. Those are the places where you sleep, relax and hang out with friends, so it makes sense that you might feel less-than-productive if you try to do work there, too.
Scope out the library or the nooks and crannies of your student union building to find your ideal working space. Most campuses have a variety of student lounges, designated quiet areas and department-specific study rooms.
Find a study space that is ideal for your noise preferences and creative inspiration and make it a habit to do chunks of your homework there. It’ll be easier for you to concentrate and you’ll retain information better.
Meet with a lecturer
It’s normal to not feel like you belong, to question your major, to doubt your abilities, and to be confused as you make your way through the complexities of college. Meeting with a lecturer can give the guidance and encouragement you need. Students who meet regularly with their lecturers are more likely to stay in third level education. Here are some tips on how to ask your lecturer for help.
Attend extracurricular lectures and seminars
Nearly every university brings guest speakers and lecturers to campus for its students. Take advantage of these unique opportunities to learn something new and maybe even meet some really cool people to enhance your university experience. Even the most famous of guest speakers who talk on college campuses are willing to shake hands and answer questions after their talk. Check out your school’s calendar of upcoming events.
Join a sports team for university experience
If you want to make new friends while also getting some exercise, join a sports team. Most colleges and universities offer many different kinds of men’s, women’s and co-ed teams for a variety of sports.
Check out your local community and see if you can volunteer on any community projects. For example working with a group of students to create a social media plan for a local business, help with the local tidy towns committee or volunteer at local sports clubs. These projects not only give you a chance to make an impact but will make your curriculum vitae stand out among your peers. Hereis more on how to get involved in your local community.
Get an internship
In most third level institutes, you will have the option to go on placement. Please take this opportunity and do not shy away from it. It is an invaluable experience which will help kick start your career. Applying lessons from the classroom to the real-world is critical. Placements are a great way to do this. Students who have internships are more hireable when they go to get a job after education. Here is a guide to finding an internship during college.
Exercise and eat well
You need to take responsibility for your physical health and wellness by eating foods from every food group and exercising regularly. Studies have found that most college students weren’t eating even one full serving of fruits and vegetables a day. Not only is that terrible for your body, but it also promotes poor eating habits that could continue to affect you throughout your life.
When you eat well and exercise, you feel better about yourself, get sick less often and have more energy. All of these things can help you be a more productive student, but can also help you go for your dream job after graduation and live a longer, healthier life as an adult.
To summarise
Keep an open mind about new things to make the most of your university experience. Throughout your college years, you’ll be exposed to many new kinds of people, music, ideas and hobbies. If you remain open to trying new things, you are very likely to find new lifelong passions and interests.
For more reading on university life in Ireland, check out our article:
Want to get a broad perspective into the college life in our Emerald Isle third-level campuses? Ireland’s seven public universities are all ranked within the world’s top 700 in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, as is one of the 14 institutes of technology. HomeHak has put together an insight for you. We have covered some of the main universities North, South, East and West of the Emerald Isle.
There is no doubt about the strong presence of students in this vibrant city. To better serve their college life, there is an array of pubs and restaurants around nearly every corner. UCC boasts a central city location. On the other hand, CIT lies in the suburbs residing in Bishopstown. Cork is the perfect base to explore the beautiful countryside.
This well presented university is full of top class facilities on site and is a ‘stone throw away’ from exploring all the city has to offer also. Here is a link to UCC Student Union. UCC is designed so that students do not have to leave. Why should you when you have the student centre, the mardyke, the amphitheatre, the new bar and old bar all on campus?
Looking to get off campus and explore more into the city? Students usually head to Fitzgeralds park which is located close by. Feeling thirty? You will find students in Suas, Annie Macs, The Rock, Cissie Youngs or The Washington Inn. Want to find a hot spot for a sporting match and pizza? Head to Sober Lane where you can get a pitcher of beer for €14 or, if they also order a pizza, the pitcher is just €10. Feeling hungry? On campus you can head to Elements or Cafe Oasis. Food here is generally fairly priced and offers good deals for students. Off campus you can get good deals in Koto, Ramen, The Old Oak, BBQ joint The White Rabbit, Wabisabi or KC’s in Douglas.
Please find some useful links for studying at UCC:
You will find the main campus in Bishopstown. CIT’s Cork School of Music and the Crawford College of Art and Design are both in Cork city campuses. Students of CIT’s National Maritime College of Ireland are based in Cobh. There is an active student life here with many clubs and societies to get involved in. Here is a link to MTU Student Union.
At the Bishopstown campus, students flock to the courtyard on sunny days. They also gather at Nexus student centre and the common room, or at the sports stadium, pitch or one of the two gyms. There’s no on-campus bar but the Bishopstown Bar is a popular spot with CIT students. Most students eat in the canteen, the Bishopstown Bar or Model Farm. Alternatively, they cycle (approx 20 minutes) or get a bus (about 30 minutes) to the city centre.
Please find some useful links for studying at MTU:
The capital of Ireland, it has more third-levels than any other county. These include TU Dublin, UCD, Trinity, DCU, NCAD, Marino Institute of Education, IADT Dún Laoghaire, DBS, Griffith College and more. Yes prices can seem extortionate for college life but it does offer a great selection of cheap eats than any other city. Dublin is a cultural city and has a great array of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Trinity College or TU students will have the best pick being closest to the centre. This is in comparison to UCD students out on the Belfield campus or DCU students on the Glasnevin site, where it’s a bus ride into the city. For this reason, we focused more on the hot spots in the city centre but we do have a little bit of something for everyone.
Let’s start with the most dominant and central feature in the city – Trinity College. A beautiful and historic campus that tourists flock to see. Because of this, Trinity is a lovely place to while away a few hours, with plenty of benches, pitches and little nooks. Trinity also boasts what is easily the best university library in the country. Here is a link to Trinity College Dublin Students Union.
The Pav is a popular drinking spot for students and, on sunny days, the hordes of Dubliners like to spread out onto the surrounding pitches. Students also hang around the JCR (Junior Common Room), arts block and surrounding bars. Nearby pubs Doyle’s (College Street), Grogans (William Street South) and The Gingerman (Fenian Street) are among the most popular watering holes. Captain America’s (Grafton Street) does good deals on drinks.
Trinity students are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a place for lunch or a night out. On campus, there’s decent-ish but reliable food at reasonable prices in The Buttery, and students can also eat in the Dining Hall. Nearby cheap eats include Yum Thai (Duke Street), any of the burrito places including Tolteca and Pablo Picante. The best-value lunches are a short hop away with plenty of cheap Indian, Chinese and Korean places just over O’Connell Bridge around Parnell Street, Capel Street and Moore Street. On Dame Street, a short hop from Trinity, Umi Falafel’s all-day plate for two offers arguably the best value vegetarian and vegan food in the city.
Please find some useful links for studying at Trinity College:
TU Dublin is gradually moving into the Grangegorman campus near Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. For the other campuses, there is certainly no lack of places to eat or drink on their doorsteps. Students of one campus can use the facilities at the others, including gyms. Here is a link to TU Dublin Students Union.
There are many pubs around Stoneybatter/Smithfield, as well as The Lighthouse Cinema for food, drink and films. The Bolton Street campus has a good selection of pubs around the area, as do the Kevin and Aungier Street campuses. Around Grangegorman? Head to Cowtown Cafe.
For students still on or near the Kevin Street, Store Street, and Aungier Street sites – or, indeed, for other college students in the city – Camden Street is a mecca for cheap eats, try The Green Bench cafe. There’s Govinda’s on Aungier Street and Neon17’s. Just around the corner, there is a Vietnamese take-out Pang. For Bolton Street students, just step off campus and wander across to any of the many Asian restaurants and cafes around Capel Street and Parnell Street. Give M&L and Hilan a try.
Please find some useful links for studying at TU Dublin Campuses:
UCD students centre has really helped to transform the campus. It has nearly everything you need such as a 3D cinema, theatre, debating chamber, gym and Olympic-sized swimming pool. Because of its location away from Dublin city, UCD can, despite its scale, feel like a community. UCD students are likely to head into town to drink. On campus, the student centre and the Global Lounge – an indoor entertainment hub for game-playing, TV watching, seminars and films – is a popular spot. All the best on-campus food is to be found at Pulse in the Health Sciences building. Centra can be one of the cheaper on-campus food options. The best nearby off-campus option is the Olive Tree restaurant at the Clonskeagh mosque. Here is a link to UCD’s Student Union.
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As the main Glasnevin campus is a bus journey from the city, the students’ unions and societies are particularly active. DCU is also the world’s first autism-friendly campus as well as having the most diverse student population. On campus, most students hang out around the NuBar, the Mezz, the students’ union or the canteen. Across the road, students can be found in The Slipper bar DCU is fairly well-served by a few restaurants such as NuBar and cafes around campus, with the main canteen offering a good selection. 2km away, The Gravediggers pub is known for its quality food.
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Students love their popular hotspot and college canteen, Luncheonette. Nearby you must also try Arthur’s and Manning’s Bakery. Vicar Street is a live music venue right on the college’s doorstep. Here is a link to the Student’s Union.
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An artistic and cultural hub for the nation of Ireland’s college life. There’s always music, film, literature and general arts festivals humming alongside a range of gigs in vibrant bars. Galway is also probably the cheapest university town in Ireland. Salthill will be a popular hang out spot. The Crane Bar and the Róisín Dubh are the city’s main live music venues. For food, try Smokie’s cafe or the student bar. McDonaghs on Quay Street is a Galway institution. Here is a link to NUI Galways Student Union.
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Home to the University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College (teacher training) and the Limerick Institute of Technology, there’s always a buzz to be found for college life here. UL isn’t in the city centre, but students don’t suffer too much as the campus is probably Ireland’s most beautiful and well-planned.
A beautiful campus that students can happily find plenty of nice corners. There are plenty of clubs and societies to keep everyone busy outside class time. The UL arena boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a top-class gym. The courtyard hosts a weekly farmers’ market. The campus bar, The Stables, has a cracking atmosphere. Off campus, Dolan’s Warehouse is one of Ireland’s best live music venues. Angel Lane is a popular nightclub for the city’s students. Most people eat at one of more than a dozen restaurants or cafes on the campus such as La Cucina, The Chicken Hut on O’Connell Street and Turkuaz Kebab House. Here is a link to UL’s Student Union.
This university – relatively small by global standards has certainly grown providing an improved college life. The new library is particularly impressive. On campus, there’s a students’ union bar. The Brewery Coffee, The Roost, The Duke and Coachman are some late-night bars. The Phoenix restaurant, Chill Restaurant and Starbucks are on the main on-campus eatery. Beetroot, Yeah Burgr and Picaderos are popular spots for a meal out: Here is a link to Maynooths Student Union.
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With Tramore’s beaches and the Comeragh Mountains on the doorstep, there’s plenty of opportunity to really enjoy the weather. Public transport to and from the college is fairly frequent and reliable. WIT is a relatively intimate place to go to college. On the WIT campus, the Dome Sports & Social Club is the main bar. Off campus, The Foundry and Henry Downes are the go to night spots. Students also congregate on the campus’s many green spaces.The Hot House Bistro, Brown’s Road, Oscars Cafe and The Gallery all serve food on campus. Here is a link to WIT’s Student Union.
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Higher education in Ireland consists of universities, specialist colleges (offering courses in a single subject area), and institutes of technology. The latter don’t just offer courses in technology subjects, but also cover a wide range of vocational programs, in subjects including hospitality, healthcare, pharmacy, media, textiles, marketing and many more. We hope you enjoyed reading out college life in Ireland for students guide!
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International Students in Cork City – Where to Do Your Shopping?
Wondering how to make Cork city your home away from home? HomeHak has put together a list of some places that proved you can get anything at an affordable price. International students pay a close look, we are sharing the best places to do your shopping in the rebel city!
This place is heaven for South, Middle-East or East Asians because you can get anything and everything your heart desires. From spices, lentils, cereals, to frozen ready to eat meals and fresh vegetables, you can indulge if you miss home! Also, if you’re looking for a butcher, they have one too.
The store caters primarily to East Asian Cuisines and you can pretty much find every type of noodles/ramen there is! The owners do same-day home deliveries. And the most important thing, you get a student discount!
For Asians, it can be challenging to search for necessities at different places and then compare prices. With homestar, you don’t need to do this. There is nothing you won’t find in your mother’s kitchen that you couldn’t get in there at an affordable price. If you’re out shopping, check this place out!
Mr Price Branded Bargains is a rapidly expanding discounted variety retailer in Ireland. They are 100% Irish and deliver rock-bottom prices everyday! It’s all in the name! You can shop, shop and shop! They have stationery, home essentials, health, beauty products, containers and storage boxes.
You cannot go to Penney’s and come out empty-handed. Their collection and prices will lure you into buying everything you lay your eyes on. The store has clothes, accessories, bags, essentials, make-up, homeware and more. Their winter jackets and coats can be a saving grace for light-packers who didn’t have much from back home for the cold Irish weather.
Moving to another country takes a toll on your health, needless to say, you need your vitamins and minerals in order because you don’t see changes immediately. Consult your doctor, nutritionist, dietician, coach and get your body and mental health in order here. They have a wide range of skin and hair care products and are a one-stop shop for health and beauty retail.
For all things pretty and up to date at 2-3 euros! I’ve bought most of my mugs and plates from here and they have a dedicated section for spices! This small store located on St. Patrick’s street brings so much joy!
International students – Have you heard of UCC International Office Swap Shop?
Every year when thousands of UCC international students move out of on-campus accommodation they are told to leave their apartments completely clear.
Often, students don’t have anywhere to put the stuff they’ve acquired, resulting in perfectly good utensils like pots, pans, cutlery, plates, and mugs being thrown in the skip and going straight to landfill.
In 2018 UCC International Office Swap Shop came up with the idea of the Swap Shop. Each September and May they open The Swap Shop and they provide a space for students to donate their preloved items to them instead of throwing it out. Then they open up in August/September and January for the new intake of international students to come and browse.
International Students coming to Cork often find it challenging to settle down and find stores that they can rely on for groceries and essentials. More importantly, if you’re taking a trip to the City Center, you can do your shopping in bulk and some of the stores mentioned below deliver your goods to your home!
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Whether it’s your first, only or last child, whether they are moving away or staying near to you, HomeHak has put together a guide to help you with your children heading to university. Read more to find your tips for parents guide of students starting university in Ireland.
Help them to prepare
Set your student up for university. It can feel like there is so much to consider even before your child’s departure to university. It may be their first time living independently so it is important that they grasp the basics of living away from home. Tips for parents include start by giving them a few cooking demonstrations in the kitchen. Make sure to stick to easy recipes. Show them how a washing machine works and the differences between detergent, fabric softener etc. Try and implement these learning lessons sooner rather than later so they can learn as they go.
Just because your child isn’t going away to study doesn’t mean you can’t teach them to live independently. It is easy to forget that they are a university student now so they will be itching for freedom so make sure to give them their space. To avoid worry when your child is going out, communicate that they send a text letting you know if they will be home or not. Remember, it’s still ok to set boundaries and clear rules for them letting you know their whereabouts.
Budgeting
This is super important, even for live at home students. In some cases, students may be eligible for student grants or bursary (check out this article for more information on eligibility). A student living at home should be aiming to work on average 10 hours of work a week and should avoid excessive term-job work hours. Remember, the child is at university to study, make memories and meet new friends.
After they have gone tips for parents
You may be feeling an abundance of emotions and this is completely normal. For them, the nerves will quickly fade as they are caught up in freshers/welcome week activities and their course gets underway. You might find that you find the transition harder than they do. A new student is embarking on the beginning of an adventure where as for you, it’s an ending. Be prepared for the time it might take for you to adjust.
Support your child through their exams
University is filled with new and enjoyable experiences, but exams and deadlines can make it a challenging time too. Exams can be a stressful time for any young person, especially when they are having to balance this with the pressures of living independently too.
Here are a few ways to help your child gain some extra headspace during this time
Encourage them to take regular revision breaks and find a balance between studying and doing things they find enjoyable and relaxing.
Check in with them regularly and encourage them to eat and drink at regular intervals.
Reassure them and let them know that you are proud of them whatever the outcome.
It’s not forever
Whether your child is home at the weekend or you don’t see them again until Christmas, know that it is only temporary. Your child will be back in the same bedroom and abandoning clothes in the same place, but they’ll have moved on and grown up in subtle ways. Try to enjoy watching these changes, as you did when they were small. You too are the same person but will have moved on as well, so embrace it.
Keep in touch
Try to keep contact. Figure out what works best for you. A simple daily text message, a weekly phone call or whatever it may be. This helps to maintain your relationship and keeps you updated on their exciting adventures through university.
To Summarise
It can be a mixture of emotions, a time of celebration and anticipation. How will they manage without you? How will you manage without them, more to the point? We hope with these tips that you will find excitement in your child’s move and be there to support them every step of the way! We hope you enjoyed reading our tips for parents guide of Students starting University in Ireland!
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Studying abroad poses many questions for students, but quite a few for parents as well. The type of questions that can cause serious stress and anxiety. Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it may seem. And to help you, here are HomeHaks top tips to help get you through this exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, time.
Educate Yourself
Research the destination country, including its history, culture, customs, laws, social/moral codes, dress and language. Along with your student, learn a few of the local words and phrases. Never hesitate to ask questions of your student, the advisor or even a program administrator.
Letting go
Allow your student to make the most of the study abroad decisions – be a guide, not a supervisor. Give your student the information and resources he or she needs to make informed decisions. Don’t expect to hear from your student every day while he or she is abroad, and don’t make your student feel bad for that. Talk with parents whose children have previously studied abroad and try to prepare for the emotions they say they experienced.
If your student wears glasses, get him or her an extra pair or two to take with, particularly if they are prescription lenses. If your student is taking any prescription medications, be sure to send him or her overseas with an extra supply and a copy of the prescription. Check out this article for must know tips for packing to study abroad.
Communication
Establish a plan of communication with your student prior to departure. Encourage your child to start an instagram travel blog page while away so that you (and any other family members or friends) can follow along with the adventures. Students and parents should both have a set of emergency contacts with them at all times, including contacts from the school and program.
Finances
Have your child manage some money on his or her own before departing. Devise a financial plan with your child for the time he or she will be abroad. To limit spending and avoid lost money, teach your child to take money out of the ATM a little at a time. Don’t begin exchanging currency before your child departs-have him or her wait until he or she reached the destination.
Student responsibility
Discuss financial, social and academic responsibility with your child. Encourage your student to resolve his or her own issues while abroad and step in only when necessary. Have your student do the bulk of the study abroad research. Let your student know that you trust him or her to make the right decisions while studying abroad.
Food
Tell your student to stick to the busy restaurants, as eating at these is likely safer than at less popular restaurants. Freshly cooked foods are the best bet because they are less likely to contain contaminants. Although they may be legally permitted to drink abroad, students should be advised to drink with great care while studying abroad.
Safety
Students must be encouraged to cultivate and utilize their “street smarts” while studying abroad. Tell them to avoid political demonstrations, to only take official taxis and to protect their passport at all times. Establish emergency procedures with your student prior to departure. Use the State Department’s website to stay current on safety issues in specific countries. Tell your student to avoid bringing locals back to his or her living quarters.
Visitation
If you visit, choose to do so at a time that is convenient for your student. Remember that while it may be a vacation for you, your student still has responsibilities. You will miss your student, and he or she will miss you, but for ultimate growth, the student needs to spend quality time immersed in the culture and with fellow study abroad students.
To summarise
Allow your child a period of adjustment when first getting home. Students are used to being more independent, so take that into consideration. Encourage your student to keep in touch with the people he or she traveled with and met while studying abroad. Lend an attentive ear to your child when he or she gets home. These are HomeHaks top tips, we hope you have enjoyed them.
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