As a parent of a student who is considering studying abroad for a year, a semester, or summer in the University of Limerick, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about this overall study abroad experience. We have compiled the information on this page specifically to address questions that you, as a parent, may have. We also welcome you to browse our website to see the information available for your son or daughter.
Why Should Students Study Abroad at UL?
- Studying abroad helps students gain in-depth exposure to another culture in a way that cannot be accomplished on a vacation.
- Studying abroad exposes students to new ways of thinking about the world and their own countries.
- Studying abroad promotes greater confidence, independence, and self-sufficiency.
- Studying abroad gives students an opportunity to see parts of the world and meet people that they might otherwise not ever meet.
How Much is it going to Cost?
Tuition fees for Study Abroad in UL are Euro 5620.50 per semester (Euro 11,241.00 for a year) based on 2009 figures.
A copy of the Study Abroad Budget Planner is available here.
Information on US Financial aid will be available here shortly.
What Should I Know About Health and Safety?
Personal safety and security begins with the multitude of decisions each student makes on a daily basis; which includes the choice of transportation methods, whom they associate with, when and where they go out, etc. Please note that the legal age for the consumption of alcohol in Ireland (as in the rest of the European Union) is 18. During orientation, we advise students on the best ways of staying safe and we provide them with lots of useful information including contact details in the unlikely event of an emergency and of the various support services available to them. Also, we advise students on the importance of responsible behaviour especially with regard to alcohol consumption.
Students are asked to check-in regularly with their family, by phone or e-mail. Students are given an emergency cell phone (mobile phone) number which they can dial in the event of an emergency. It is answered by a member of International Education Division staff during office hours, and is diverted to campus security in the evenings and at weekends.
Students can be reached by phone in all the on campus accomodations-there is a phone in each apartment. In addition, cell phones (mobile phones) are quite inexpensive in Ireland. For many parents, simply knowing that they can reach their son or daughter at anytime day or night, reduces anxiety considerably. In the event that you cannot reach your son or daughter, please contact the International Education Division.
+353-61-202338 email study.abroad@ul.ie
How Can I Be Most Supportive?
Parents play a very important role in helping students to prepare for studying abroad and in supporting them both while they are away and after they return from abroad. We provide students with a pre arrival pack outlining all the things they need to be aware of and/or bring with them for their study abroad semester/year in Ireland. This pre arrival pack contains very important and useful information which you may wish to go through with your son or daughter prior to their departure.
Please note that we send this information to the student, the International Program Office or to the Agent, depending on the agreement we have with the School/College/Agency. If your son or daughter does not receive a pre arrival pack, please contact this office at study.abroad@ul.ie.
Prior to Departure:
- Take a look at the pre arrival pack with your son or daughter so that you understand both what has been provided and what is expected of him or her prior to his or her departure.
- Encourage your son or daughter to be proactive in his or her pre-departure preparations. Students sometime have a tendency to leave preparations to the last minute, which often ends up causing them a lot of stress and hassle. Be supportive of your son or daughter's feelings and reactions to his or her new environment, but try to keep an open mind when he or she reports on living conditions or the city, especially in the first few days when he or she is likely overtired and suffering from jet lag.
- Keep in touch with him or her on a regular basis, for your own peace of mind. We recommend a phone call once a week, or a couple of e-mail messages per week.
- Encourage your son or daughter to make the most of their study abroad experience by getting involved in Campus Life at the University, for example, to join clubs or societies.
- Be aware that just as a student goes through a period of adjustment at the start of a study abroad program, many go through a similar, difficult period of "re-adjustment" when returning home. For this reason UL provides an Orientation Programme upon arrival and a Re-entry/Pre departure orientation prior to their departure from UL. Both of these sessions are compulsory for your son or daughter.
- Understand that if your son or daughter has had a full experience living and learning overseas, he or she will have changed a bit and may have some difficulty returning to old routines.
How Will I Stay Informed/Get in touch?
The staff of the International Education Division are available via telephone or email if you wish to get in touch with your son/daughter or have any questions about the program. We encourage students to stay in regular contact with their parents by phone and email. Please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.
Tel: +353-61-202414
Fax:+353-61-213062
Email: study.abroad@ul.ie
