IES Dublin, Ireland

After acceptance to study abroad as an Illinois student in one of the IES Dublin programs, you will need to submit an IES Abroad application as well. Please view the resources available above for the program you are interested in. Pay special attention to the application requirements and deadlines in order to ensure a smoother process.

1. Complete the online portion of your study abroad application—it's free and only takes a few minutes to complete! You'll need to login or create a MyIESabroad account to apply.

2. Submit the rest of your application documents once they become available in your MyIESabroad account, 1-2 business days after you've applied online. Application requirements vary by program, and will include things like a home school (UIUC) authorization and transcript.

3. Complete steps 1 and 2 before the application deadline of your program! Pro tip: start the online application as soon as possible to get connected with your advisor who will remind you of deadlines, missing items, and can answer your questions about the program.

Application Guidelines

Prepare all required materials and submit your application. Scholarship applications must be submitted and complete by midnight Central Time of the deadline date, but we recommend you apply as soon as you're considering one of the IES study abroad or internship programs. (Yes — you can apply for scholarships and aid before you apply to a program!) Funds are limited.

Scholarship Deadlines

• • Summer Internship Programs - March 15

  • Summer Standard Programs — April 1

  • Fall/Academic Year — April 1

IRISH STUDIES PROGRAM

• • Spring 2022: January 5-April 17, 2022

  • Summer 2022: June 2 - July 17, 2022

  • Fall 2021: September 1 - December 13, 2021

INTENSIVE ACTING PROGRAM

• • Summer 2022: June 2 - July 17, 2022

Arrival

• • Arrival information, including where to go for your airport pick-up on the scheduled days will come from IES. Therefore, do not book your airline tickets until first verifying the expected arrival and departure dates with them.

  • You may visit personal advising to help you with predeparture questions

  • If you encounter any issues while traveling to Ireland or campus, please contact this 24-hour emergency line.

Orientation

The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Dublin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Dublin. A Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered. You also take guided tours around the Center and areas of interest in Dublin as part of your orientation. The schedule will be emailed to you pre-arrival.

Passport & Visa Requirements

• • A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end date of the program, with at least two blank pages is required. Visit travel.state.gov to locate U.S. passport agencies in your area.

  • Ireland does not require U.S. citizens to obtain a student visa before studying abroad for a semester or longer.

  • Visa application assistance for all visa-required programs and ACCeSS visa processing services for programs in select locations for students who are not U.S. citizens.

  • Once you arrive in Ireland (whether U.S. citizen or not), you will need to obtain an Irish Residence Permit. Learn more about registering with Irish immigration.

IES tries to locate and assign housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. The goal is that when you leave Dublin, it will feel like home, so all students are usually placed in a residence hall with private student residences.

Private Student Residence Highlights

• • You live in a private student residence with your own bedroom and bathroom within a four or five-bedroom apartment.

  • You will live with other IES Abroad students and share a fully-equipped kitchen and living area. Mixed-gender and single-gender apartments are available.

  • The private student residence is completely furnished and has WiFi along with other amenities. No meals are included.

Student Voices on Housing

• • They provided me with an apartment that I shared with two other girls. It was perfect. It was in a great location. It was safe, and fairly central. I had to cook my own food. It was definitely a very nice, modern apartment, which was nicer than local standards. At least, it seems like a pretty expensive in comparison to the average apartment in Dublin due to the housing crisis in that city.

  • IES abroad set up the housing completely. I was provided with sheets, towels, and the kitchen was filled with supplies. I had to buy toiletries and food, but that was easy to get in the immediate area surrounding the Student Housing. The student housing was incredibly secure and I had to scan my fob several times just to get in my building. Housing in Dublin is very expensive and hard to find so I definitely recommend allowing IES to set up housing for students.

  • My housing was an apartment style student living arrangement where only students live. It was located near Thomas St which is by Guinness storehouse. That area is not the nicest area but our safety was never being put at risk. (the area wasn't dangerous and the other 2 housing options were in better areas). We filled out a questionnaire before going abroad which allowed our housing to arrange roommates. You could choose co-ed or not and I ended up living with 4 other girls. We had our own rooms and bathrooms and the units themselves were nice. The common areas and laundry facility was nice and no meals were provided as we had our own kitchen.

  • We were not given a choice for housing but rather could have been placed in 1 of 3 locations. With that said, just be as honest as possible in the questionnaire so that you can be arranged with optimal roommates. Also, do not worry about shopping for the apartment until in Dublin because there is a general store down the street where everything is a dollar and you can find anything there.

Irish Studies Summer Expectations

IES offers unique courses that explore Irish cultural studies and Irish history through an in-depth and hands-on approach. The Irish professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You will take two courses for a total of 6 semester credits. Disciplines include:

• • Anthropology

  • Cultural Studies

  • Economics

  • History

  • Literature

  • Sociology

  • Academic culture

For a more detailed course catalog, view this page.

Intensive Acting- Summer Expectations

Watch a short clip of IES Abroad Dublin students sharing what they love about attending NTSI-GSA.

This program immerses you in a conservatory-style acting program. All courses are required and are taught at The National Theatre School of Ireland (Gaiety School of Acting) and IES Abroad. A core value espoused by The National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting is ensemble. This program is physically and emotionally demanding and all students participate in the whole training process. You earn 6 credits total. First you complete a 2-week theatre workshop. Then you begin the 4-week summer NTSI-GSA program.

For a more detailed course catalog, view here

Irish Studies- Academic Year Expectations

IES offers unique courses that explore Irish cultural studies and Irish history through an in-depth and hands-on approach. The Irish professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You will take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth three credits unless otherwise specified.

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components:

• • IES Abroad area studies courses (required, 3 credits each)

  • Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)

  • Service learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)

For a more detailed course catalog, view this page.

Transcripts

All programs' transcripts will be sent to Illinois automatically after the end of the program. However, the time for receipt and processing can take a few months. Be patient, and you can track to see when your transcript is received by the Office of the Registrar by when the digital copy is uploaded into your My Study Abroad documents.

Student Voices on Academics

• • All of my courses were interesting and meaningful. I took Service Learning, Celtic Myth and Legend, Northern Irish Troubles, Irish Communal Identity, and Digital Marketing and Communication. One of the most valuable things I have done in my college career was volunteering in Ireland through Service Learning, I learned so much about Irish Culture, Dublin, and I built incredibly meaningful relationships I will remember forever.

  • We took all classes at the IES center. Teachers were wonderful and I truly learned a great deal in all of my classes.

  • My class schedule was light as I only had two courses. On Mondays I only had one class at 11, Tuesdays I had class at 11 and 3, no class Wednesdays, class at 3 on Thursdays and no class on Fridays.

According to previous IES students, some of the top things to do in Dublin include taking day trips, watching live music and theater performances, tasting local foods such as shepherd's pie, and exploring neighborhoods along the River Liffey. Dublin offers many beautiful scenic landscapes to enjoy while hiking or cycling as well as a vibrant nightlife in the city. Dublin is also a train ride away from the towns of Howth, Dun Laoghaire and more.

IES Abroad Dublin organizes a number of field trips as an integral part of its opportunities for cultural immersion and they are partially subsidized by IES Abroad.

Course-Related Trips: IES Abroad Dublin organizes course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Irish culture and society. These trips include walking tours of Dublin's significant architectural, literary, and political markers.

Summer Excursions:

• The West of Ireland (3 days): Take a guided tour of the 2020 European Capital of Culture to explore the 800 year-old city of Galway and discover the stunning landscapes and castles of Connemara.

• Causey Farm (1 day): Visit an open farm where you will have the chance to try Irish dancing, bake traditional Irish bread, learn to play an Irish drum called the bodhrán, and jump in a bog.

• Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Academic Year Excursions:

• • Gaelic Games

  • Traditional Irish Cultural Activities

  • Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Volunteering: IES Abroad Dublin organizes volunteer opportunities that complement the courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Irish culture and society. Volunteer experiences include:

• • Work with a local afterschool club where you’ll assist children with their homework and lead fun activities

  • Assist in administrative duties at creative writing workshops and camps. Volunteering is done on ad hoc basis

For more information, view these resources:

• • The Center is the connection point for all IES Abroad matters in Dublin.

  • Student Advice Vlog where students share advice to future potential applicants.

  • IES Abroad Blogs where current students share about their study abroad experiences

  • Diversity-related support and resources

  • Social media channels sharing what study abroad looks like at all IES locations

  • Health and Safety Services Information

Upon the end of your stay in Dublin:

• • Opportunity to support future students as an IES Abroad Ambassador

  • Submit to contests for recent students: Study Abroad Film Festival & Global Citizen of the Year Award

• • Access to the IES Abroad alumni network including

• • • Subscription to The Exchange alumni newsletter

    • Online career resources

  • Alumni events such as reunions, meet ups, and our global speaker series

Student Voices on Engagement

• • I really liked the amount of activities the program had for students to bond with each other. From day one, I felt really close to the people on my program. However, I did not like how because I was in the program's center for classes, I was not given a student ID card so I missed out on a lot of deals for attractions.

  • My classes were with all American students, which made making Irish friends hard. However, IES hosted several field trips that allowed me to learn more about Irish Culture and experience different Irish Lifestyles. There was a Gaelic games field trip, a trip to a farm, a trip to Northern Ireland, and a trip to Newgrange.