Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

When I first chose to study abroad at the University of Limerick, the idea that I’d end the semester having traveled to 15 countries felt almost impossible. Like a lot of American study abroad students, I had seen the TikToks, the vlogs, the aesthetic Instagram posts: every weekend, a new country. But when I learned that Limerick’s nearest airport, Shannon, didn’t have as many destinations as I wished, I worried I’d miss out on the classic “travel Europe every weekend” study abroad experience.

Spoiler alert: UL turned out to be the perfect base for travel.

Let’s start with logistics, because this is the holy grail of UL travel advice:
From the UL Stables bus stop, you can hop on the big green 300 bus straight to Red Cow Luas in Dublin. It’s about a two-hour journey, pretty comfy, and reliable. From Red Cow, you jump onto either the 726 or 750 (also big green buses) which get you to Dublin Airport in about 15 minutes. They drop you off at Zone 16, literally a 2–3 minute walk from Terminal 1, home of Ryanair, a.k.a. the budget student life savior. Book everything online through dublincoach.ie, and if you have a Student/Young Adult Leap Card, the round-trip fare is €19.50 instead of €37. That discount alone funded several of my airport coffees.

My biggest advice? Always schedule your bus to arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before your flight. Irish traffic has a mind of its own, and those extra 30 minutes can be the difference between catching your flight… or watching it take off without you.

Another fear I had before arriving was traveling solo all semester. UL hosts so many international and study abroad students, but I didn’t know if I’d actually meet anyone who wanted to hop on a plane every other week like I did. That worry disappeared fast. Within my first few weeks, I found people who were just as excited to explore Europe on a budget as I was.

But I didn’t start traveling right away and honestly, I’m so glad I didn’t. I dedicated September entirely to Ireland, and I think every UL student should do the same. UL offers amazing tours through Hynan, and I took full advantage: the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, absolute 10/10 experiences. You meet tons of other students, the vibes are great, and you get to experience the beauty of Ireland outside of your textbooks. And don’t forget Limerick itself. Explore the third-largest city in the country. Do it solo or with friends. Find your go-to coffee shop, your favorite grocery shop, your favorite study corner. Settling into Limerick helped me overcome homesickness more than anything else.

If you can, try to get a Friday or Monday free in your class schedule. Long weekends are a blessing. You can travel and still have time to breathe. Pay attention to when your modules have self-directed learning weeks too. As long as you stay on top of work, these weeks can be perfect opportunities for travel.

Once October hit, the adventures really began. In one long weekend, I visited Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Budapest (Hungary). We flew into Vienna and took trains between the countries. Europe makes border-hopping really easy. Later in October, I flew to Nice, France, then trained to Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Ventimiglia, Italy. Again, one long weekend, three
countries, and stunning scenery the whole way. In early November, I went to London, where I caught the fireworks show at Battersea Park, an unforgettable moment. Then came one of my favorite trips of the semester: sunny Morocco. It was warm, vibrant, and such a needed break from Ireland’s weather. As an American abroad, I’m enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which sends safety updates for the countries I visit, something I 100% recommend. Towards the end of November, I went to Copenhagen, Denmark, and took a quick train to Malmö, Sweden, where I saw my first snow of the season. As a Minnesota native, this genuinely felt like a little piece of home.

To celebrate the end of Week 12 (and to treat myself before reading week), I visited Lisbon, Portugal, and Sevilla, Spain. This trip was unique because I flew into Lisbon, took a flight to Sevilla, and then, because budget life never stops, I flew back to Cork Airport instead of Dublin. That saved me tons of money, gave me a few unexpected hours in Cork, and let me enjoy a comfortable train ride back to Limerick for only €9.

For December, I have decided to slow down and savor my final month at UL. I planned just two final destinations: Edinburgh, Scotland, and Zurich, Switzerland. After that, it’s all about soaking in the last moments, my favorite cafés, my friends, the riverwalks, the campus sunsets. By the time I leave the University of Limerick at the end of this semester, I’ll have traveled to 15
countries, something I never imagined possible.

What I learned is this: UL isn’t a limitation. It’s actually one of the best study abroad bases you could choose. With the right planning, the right people, and the willingness to explore, you can see so much of the world while still feeling grounded in a community. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade this semester for anything. One of the best decisions I have ever made