AIFS Abroad in Limerick, Republic of Ireland: Semester

This was a great overall program.

AIFS was useful for their payment and the weekend trips. While I paid AIFS they handled everything from my application to UL to my housing and airfare. They also offered a weekend stop in London before orientation at UL started, providing a tour guide and itinerary along with free time. Other trips included an overnight to the Aran Islands, a day trip to Cork, a day trip to Killarney, and a two night overnight to Dublin. The AIFS group of about 30 students bonded quickly and we made friends and had a lot of fun, while some students were into partying come weren't and everyone was friendly and we made great traveling companions for one another. The Facebook page was also super useful for communicating. AIFS staff support was great, although their knowledge seemed a bit touchy.

However, a downside was that I sent a lot of emails to check on available classes, however when I arrived there was no space in the equine science classes, special education classes weren't offered and the booklet I had been linked to was the wrong one and there were much fewer classes available than I had originally thought. Additionally, once classes had started every professor seemed to read directly off of a powerpoint. I didn't feel challenged academically, but the lack of homework was great and allowed me to travel.

I loved UL, however no credit cards are accepted in restaurants on campus, but there were many available ATMS. The International Student division was incredible at UL and they provided a great orientation and integration program. There was also an international society that provided day and weekend trips as well as parties for international students. There were many clubs and societies, including equestrian, swim, rowing, archery, tea and many others, which was a great way to integrate into student life and meet new friends.

AIFS provided 10 euros a day for food, which came in handy. They also provided a 40 euro flight voucher. I was able to travel quite a lot out of Dublin on budget airlines, which was great, and I was able to adventure to Rome, Vienna, Paris and have plans for Prague, Salzburg, Edinburgh and Belfast.

While I wasn't at home much, the housing wasn't stellar, but not completely unlivable either. Housing was co-ed in groups of eight.

Overall I loved my experience abroad and would highly recommend AIFS, they made everything easy and memorable.

To say that I had a great time studying abroad through AIFS would be an understatement. I believe that every student should study abroad and that each student has different requirements for what they want to get out of their experience; however AIFS had everything that I think a student could want from a program. Not only did they provide incredible resident directors who were there to help with anything from illness to a recommendation for a fun night out, but they also provided the students with the most opportunities. AIFS took us on various excursions throughout Ireland from the bustling city of Dublin to the calm and serene beach town Lahinch. One of the most important aspects for me, was that they spent the time to take us around Ireland and since our RD was from Ireland, it was an excellent benefit to get inputs from a local. I would never have known about or visited some of the places, such as Lahinch, if it weren't for the excursions provided by AIFS. Of course I enjoyed traveling around Ireland with friends to the big cities and famous sites, but there is no doubt that without the planned trips I would have never been able to experience places such as Lahinch and the Aran Islands.

I had the best time during my study abroad! great people, the staff was awesome and Ireland was beautiful! The trips that we got to take as an AIFS group were really fun, and we all got to feel like a big family. Strongly recommend using AIFS to go study anywhere, but Ireland was great

Studying abroad at the University of Limerick was one of the highlights of my college career. I had so much fun learning about the Irish culture and traveling around the truly breathtaking Irish countryside. Limerick is a great location; you can easily get to Shannon Airport if you want to visit continental Europe, and weekend or sometimes even day trips to numerous Irish locations (Galway, Cork, Waterford, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry just to name a few) are easy thanks to the great bus system.

I really enjoyed my classes, and my professors were understanding of the fact that I was a foreign student who wasn't used to the school system of a large European university. I was allowed to take classes from various disciplines, something the Irish students couldn't do. I ended up taking science and English literature classes that I could count for my double minors (English and natural science) at my home college. If you have time in your schedule, try to take one of the Irish culture classes. I took Irish folklore, and I learned so much about how Irish mythology has shaped the mindset of the the Irish people and affected their history.

I could go on forever about the wonderful things I saw and did in Ireland. It was a challenging experience that definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I am a more independent and confident person because of it. Everyone should study abroad, and if you are thinking of Ireland, Limerick is a great place to go!

My study abroad experience at the University of Limerick through AIFS was a wonderful one that had a large impact on my life. While abroad I fell in love with Ireland and its culture which I learned about both in the classroom and out of it, met people from around the world, and travelled to many new places. I made lasting friendships with a number of people, especially those in the AIFS program with me. After coming home from my semester abroad I took up an Irish Studies minor at my home University and have now returned to the University of Limerick to do my Master's degree.

I would give almost anything to go back to the four months that I lived in Ireland. The University of Limerick is absolutely beautiful and there was always something new to explore or new people to meet each and every day. The AIFs staff members were very kind and helpful and always willing to answer questions. I met 3 of my very best friends (americans) on this trip and still keep in touch with many of my Irish housemates as well! I am completely in love with Ireland and the people that live there, and you will be too if you study at UL. I went back to visit exactly a year after my return to the states and 2 of my Irish housemates have been here to visit me! GO TO UL with AIFS!

The campus was absolutely beautiful and the rooms were great! I loved walking to class across the bridge with my new friends and learning about Irish folklore. I am actually now persuing a degree in folklore in a grad school in Ireland partly because of this trip I took in 2009.
My friends and I would play soccer on campus and have a blast each and everyday. We went to Bunratty Folk park and drove to the Cliffs of Moher with our new Irish friends. I am still in touch with them today :)Best trip of my life!

Ireland is a beautiful country with fun people. Limerick, as a city, does not have a lot to offer. But, there's fun things going on at campus and traveling outside of Limerick and to other countries is fairly easy.