Ireland Study Abroad 2017
Program Information and Travel Tips
The following suggestions will make your trip easier, safer, and more fun.
Passports and Identification:
You will need a passport to enter Ireland. If you have not ordered a passport, you need to do so as soon as possible. If you already have a passport, please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of your return to the U.S. If it expires within 6 months of your return, you should get it renewed right away. Make sure your passport is signed.
The Study Abroad Office will have photocopies of your passport. One copy will be held by the instructors and the other will remain in Geneseo. We’ll need these if your passport gets lost or stolen. It is also a good idea to leave a copy of your passport with someone at home just in case.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will NOT need a visa to participate in this program. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should contact the Irish consulate with jurisdiction over your state of residence to see what entry requirements may be. If you need to obtain a visa, make sure you apply for a tourist visa.
You should also bring a separate form of identification, ideally your driver’s license. The law requires that you carry some form of identification on your person at all times. While traveling from place to place within Ireland, that form of identification should be your passport. While we are on-site (e.g. on walking tours or day trips), it is better to leave your passport in a secure location in your room and carry a secondary form of identification.
Money
In Ireland prices will be in Euros (€), and you will need Euros for all cash payments. Keep exchange rates in mind when using Euros. As of this week, one Euro is equivalent to $1.13, which means that when you spend 1 Euro you’re actually spending 1 dollar and 11 cents.
When you arrive in Ireland, you should have €100 – 150 in cash. You can arrange this at your bank before you leave, at a currency exchange kiosk at the airport, or use an ATM at the airport upon your arrival.
Generally, use of ATMs and credit cards will result in a much better exchange rate than you will receive if you plan to use currency exchange services. Before you leave the US you should make sure of the following things regarding your credit and/or debit ATM card:
- Check the expiration date on your cards. Make sure that they are good for your entire visit.
- If the magnetic strip is starting to wear, get a new card. Don’t wait for it to be rejected abroad. Many places in Europe are now also taking cards that have computer chips in them, rather than magnetic strips. If you will be renewing or getting a new card before your departure, see if your credit card company or bank offers this as an option and tell them you’re traveling to Europe.
- If you’re planning on using a debit card, it has to have the seal of a major credit card (just like in the U.S.). You will need to know your PIN number to use the ATM (again, just like in the U.S.). ATMs are available in most cities and towns where there are banks. When in country stick to sheltered ATMs, and never go to the ATM alone.
- Notify your credit card and debit card institutions that you will be traveling in Ireland. You will need to tell them when you will be traveling and for how long. We recommend you do this no more than a month, but no less than 10 days, before your departure. Given modern-day information security concerns, many institutions have a security system that will reject transactions outside of the U.S. unless prior notification has been given by the authorized user. This can result in a credit or debit card being frozen by your bank, which can create many problems. Also check the daily limit you may access from an ATM and adjust it if necessary.
- Write down your bank and/or credit card’s emergency phone number (usually available on the back of the card; note that 800-numbers will not work overseas). Keeping this information separate from where you carry your cards is useful in the unlikely event that you experience a theft. It is also a good idea to leave your account information with someone responsible in the US whom you can contact.
- Please note that your credit or debit card institutions may charge an “international processing fee”. For debit cards, this fee will be levied in addition to the ATM fee when you get cash out of the ATM. For credit cards, it will be levied at each international transaction. You should call your credit or debit card institution and ask them what the international processing fees are. For the most part, these fees are unavoidable, but it helps to have an idea of what they will be when you are planning your budget for spending money.
You may choose to get a “travel” debit card for the time you will be in Ireland. For example, AAA offers a travel debit card that you can put money on and manage electronically. The main advantage to a travel debit card is that it is not directly attached to your bank account, so if it gets lost or stolen, all the cash that can be taken will be what is already on the card. One of the downsides of the travel debit card is that the international processing fees are high, usually 7% or more of the transaction cost.
Budget and Meals
The costs for any program-related activities are built into your course fees. The main additional expenses that you will need to plan for are meals, additional transport and admissions fees for individual sightseeing, and souvenirs. You should try to set a budget and keep track of expenses so that you do not run out of money halfway through the trip. Also, keep in mind that the exchange rate will affect your budget if the Euro gains value against the dollar. If you plan to visit other attractions, do your homework before you leave so that admissions and transportation costs can be figured into your budget. For example, the €14.50 you’ll pay for a student admission to the Guinness Storehouse will affect your budgeting.
Obviously, you’ll also want to have some money to shop, go out, do something on your own, etc. So don’t assume that you can get away with the minimum for the entire time we’re in Ireland. And remember, you won’t have that many chances to travel to Ireland in your life, so you don’t want to spend your whole trip worrying about money. Take a lot more than you think you’ll need—you can always bring some back with you.
We have several meals built into the program. You can count on at least five dinners that you won’t have to pay for yourself.
For planning purposes, you should plan on the following costs for meals per day:
- Minimum $30-40 (total frugality: bagels or toast for breakfast, soups and small salads, or—shudder—McDonald’s and various other fast food places; water at all times)
- Average $40-60 (modest breakfast and lunch and pub- or café-quality dinner)
- Expensive $75+ (as with, say, New York City, you can always find a nice place to eat, and they can be pricey).
Ireland has a Value Added Tax. This is incorporated into the advertised price of most goods and services (in both countries, the VAT is around 20%). Refunds are available for any goods taken out of the country. If you purchase something—especially if it is expensive, such as a nice sweater—be sure to request a voucher, which you can fill out and turn in to the cashback service desk at the airport. This will result in a refund to you after you return to the US.
Tipping can be complicated in Ireland. At sit down restaurants, menus will generally say if service is included or not (if it is, a tip is not customary). If service is not included, a tip of 5-10% is appropriate. Taxis, etc. generally do not expect a tip but you should try to round up the bill. There is no tipping at all in pubs – it is considered condescending.
You may want to invest in some sort of under-your-clothes money carrier. These usually come in two forms: a money belt, worn around the waist, or a money pouch worn around the neck. It’s good to keep some money readily accessible in a wallet or purse, but under-the-clothes carriers are good for packing large bills or an extra credit or debit card.
Packing
Luggage
You will be allowed one checked bag for your international flight. The weight limit differs by carriers (usually it’s 55lbs), so be sure to consult your airline’s website. If you bring extra bags or exceed the weight allowance, you will be charge a hefty surcharge for each leg of your flight. Keep in mind that, if you’re going to be flying in Europe before or after our program, those airlines will have different baggage allowances, so you may end up paying quite a bit in fees. Again, check the airline’s website before you leave.
For your carry on, pack something that is durable and relatively lightweight. Remember that we will be moving in and out of several lodgings during the trip, and you’ll have to carry around your own things. For your carry on, a good quality backpack is a solid option. You’ll be able to use this throughout the trip, carrying water and food, course readings, your raingear, and other items that you will need on walking tours or hikes.
When you pack, go with a minimalist approach. You almost certainly will buy things in Ireland that you’ll want to bring home in your luggage. If you leave the US maxed out on weight, you are either going to have to pay a luggage surcharge or throw something away before you return to the US. Since you will have laundry facilities available in several locations, plan to wash and keep your packing to an absolute minimum.
Clothing and Footwear
The weather in Ireland is best described as “changeable”. In July, we may a have a run of warm and dry days with temperatures in the high 70s, or we may have gloomy and damp days with temperatures in the mid 50s. And if we’re particularly lucky, we may experience both extremes in a single day.
With this in mind, pack clothing suitable for wet weather. Mid-day showers are common even on days that are otherwise warm and sunny. At the very least, you should have a small collapsible umbrella and rain jacket (a lightweight, breathable jacket that can be rolled into a small package and kept in your backpack or purse is best). Rain pants and waterproof footwear may also be useful, especially when we have outdoor activities.
Layering is the best strategy for coping with Ireland’s unpredictable weather. A wardrobe consisting of a mix of short and long sleeved shirts, a light sweater, and a pullover would be ideal. It may be cool in the early morning or evening, so a jacket, sweatshirt, or fleece is a must. Khakis, slacks, and jeans are all good options. Generally you will see very few people wearing shorts in Ireland – and almost all of them will be American tourists.
We will have several nice meals (including a group dinner with Geneseo alumni who will be visiting Ireland at the same time as us). You should have a nicer outfit – e.g. a nicer dress or blazer – for these events.
Laundry
Your accommodations in Sligo will have washers and driers. There are also places in Sligo where you can drop off your laundry and pick it up the next day.
Electronics
In Ireland outlets use 220 volts, which is twice what is typical in the United States. Most electronics, including chargers for laptops, phones, tablet and digital cameras now run on dual voltage. You will, however, need to purchase an adapter – this is the thing that you use to plug your electronics into the socket in the wall. You can purchase these at many retailers in the US; most adapters sold today will also include a USB charger that you may use with portable devices and digital cameras. Double check that whatever you purchase will plug into a standard UK-style adaptor (it should have three prongs).
When packing electronics, check the device to insure that it is dual voltage (somewhere on the cord or body of the appliance, you should see something that says 110/240V or 110~220vac. Please do not pack electronics that contain heating elements such as hair dryers, curlers, or irons. These will not work and will start a fire if you try to plug them into UK style outlets.
Health Considerations:
Before your departure it’s a good idea to schedule a physical appointment with your primary care physician to make sure that you are generally in good health and are up-to-date on vaccinations, etc. You should let your physician know that you will be traveling to Ireland and the UK, and see if he/she has any specific recommendations for you to stay healthy during your trip.
If you take prescription medications, you need to have a plan for carrying them abroad. You should make sure you have enough supply of your prescription to last the entire time we are abroad plus a few extra days’ supply in case of a delayed return to the U.S.
You should also obtain a paper copy of your prescriptions and a note from your doctor that lists your prescribed medicine (this is useful if you run into problems at customs or if you misplace you medication). When packing your prescription medications, leave them in their original containers. Pack the bottles in a clear, zip-lock bag in your carry-on luggage. Do not put prescriptions in your checked luggage. If your checked luggage get lost, you will be without your medications.
It’s always a good idea to bring a supply of your favorite over-the-counter meds. What do you usually take when you have a headache, stomachache, etc.? If you have problems with allergies, it’s also a good idea to bring your preferred over the counter antihistamine. You’ll be in a new environment and you may run into a certain type of pollen or something that irritates your allergies.
If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses bring a backup option with you. Also bring a copy of your prescription with you (similar to how you will bring a record of your other prescriptions). Even though your prescription can be taken from your lens, it is still a good idea to bring a record of it in case your glasses get lost.
If you have any medical conditions that you think the trip leaders should know about, please get in touch with the Study Abroad Office in advance. Examples may include food allergies, bee sting reactions, low blood sugar, depression or anxiety, or anything that could significantly affect your experience in Ireland and/or require emergency attention.
If there is an emergency while we are abroad, the course instructors will assist you in obtaining the medical attention that you need.
Communication
You have several options for staying in touch with people while we are abroad. Some cell phone carriers will allow you to temporarily switch to an international plan, which will allow you to use your existing phone (or a loaner) overseas. Do you homework if you use this option: overseas roaming rates can be extremely expensive, and you may come home to a huge cell phone bill if you are not careful.
You can also buy a burner cellphone once you arrive in Dublin. The phone will be prepaid, so you will purchase a certain number of minutes for your stay in Europe. Phones and prepaid minutes are usually fairly reasonable.
Apps such as Facetime and Skype will also work in Ireland, and we will have access to WiFi in a number of the places where we’ll be staying [Cope, check on this]. This will allow you to communicate for free with family and friends back in the US.
Throughout the trip, we will be working with a number of documents, images, maps and other texts. We will provide you with a link to electronic versions of these materials before we leave. Please bring a copy with you on the trip. A paper copy is fine, but a copy accessible through a laptop, tablet or similar portable device will be much more convenient.
The course instructors will both have cell phones throughout the duration of the trip. We will provide you with the numbers and you should write them down. In case of an emergency, please contact one of us by phone as soon as possible.
Security and Crime
Ireland is very safe, but you should use common sense: be aware of your surroundings, stick to well traveled areas, avoid walking alone at night, and avoid behavior that targets you as an easy mark for crimes of opportunity.
Please remember that in Ireland automobiles drive on the left side of the road. It is essential to keep this in mind when crossing the street, especially in high traffic areas – the closest traffic will be coming from the opposite direction of what you are expecting. Revert to what they taught you in kindergarten: look both ways before stepping off the curb!
Pickpocketing can be a problem, especially in areas with high tourist traffic. Here are a few pointers:
- Avoid fumbling with your valuables or cash in public.
- If you use an ATM, try to find one that is sheltered and go in a group. Europe occasionally has problems with “skimming” of ATM cards (i.e. criminals will install a fake card slot and steal electronic information from your card). If anything makes you suspicious about a particular ATM, play it safe and look for another option.
- If you find yourself carrying large amounts of money on your person, keep a small amount in your purse or wallet, and put the rest in a safe place on your body. As mentioned above, a money belt or pouch around your neck is a good place to keep extra money and other important items.
- If you carry a wallet, keeping it in your front pocket or in a pocket with a button can help you protect your property. In crowded situations, hovering your hand over your valuables can help you cue into potential thefts.
- If you plan on carrying a purse or backpack, always make sure that it is closed and secure. If you are in a crowd, keep these items close to you and carry them in front of your body if possible. Backpacks are not good places for important documents as they can be accessed while on your back when you might not see or feel it. Fanny packs are an open invitation to a thief.
- Pickpockets often strike as you are making a transition on or off public transportation. If someone bumps hard into you, assume that someone is stealing something from you.
If you go out, please use these common sense strategies to avoid problems:
- Never, ever, ever travel alone. Groups of 4-5 students will give you added security against crimes of opportunity and also will give you supportive resources if something does go wrong.
- If you visit a pub be aware of your surroundings and be careful. This means that you should use basic common sense: don’t drink to excess, don’t accept drinks from strangers, don’t leave your drink unattended, avoid locations that are obviously rowdy (in Dublin, things can get dicey when the pubs close), don’t go off on your own, and take responsibility for the wellbeing of your fellow students.
- If you get lost or ever feel uncomfortable and want to return home, get a cab. (If it is an emergency situation, we will reimburse you for the cost).
As a rule of thumb, anything that you could get in trouble for in the US applies in Ireland. Disorderly conduct, public intoxication, fighting, drug possession, and other criminal behavior will likely end with an unpleasant interaction with the Gardaí (Ireland’s national police force). As an adult, you are responsible for your personal conduct on the trip. If you get arrested for something, Doggett and/or Woidat may visit you in the local jail. Or not.
Adjusting to Life in Ireland
English is spoken throughout Ireland, but the accent can be difficult to follow (just practice listening – you’ll eventually develop an ear for it). In the west of Ireland, we will be traveling through the Gaeltacht – regions where Gaelic is still spoken on a regular basis – but English is the dominant language.
You will have a lot of free time in Ireland and it’s a good idea to do some homework before we leave so that you can plan what you’d like to see. Guides such as The Blue Guide, Rick Steves’ Ireland, and Eyewitness Ireland are all good options. If you plan to carry a “smart” device, consider purchasing a digital guidebook to cut down on your carry-on weight. We’ll also be travelling through areas that are rich in history and culture. If you spend some time reading on your own before the trip, your visit to Ireland will be significantly enhanced. If you’d like some suggestions contact either one of us and we’d be happy to help you.
Ireland has a full array of shops for anything you may need. There are small grocers that sell fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, cheese, deli items, soda, snacks, pasta, water, and toiletries. The main point here is don’t panic if you forget something. You’ll be able to pick it up in Ireland.
The drinking age in Ireland is 18. Pubs are an integral part of Irish culture and people will go out for conversation, music, and relaxed fun. Excessive, showy drinking (i.e. doing shots like it’s a spring break party) will be frowned upon and bartenders are never shy about asking people to leave. Severe intoxication is also frowned upon. If you choose to go out, know your limits and be responsible.
American tourists have a reputation for being loud, pushy, and unaware of their surroundings. Let’s work together to dismantle this stereotype. In particular, when we are on walking tours or in crowded areas, please try to keep bunched together as much as possible and be aware of whether you are blocking traffic or causing disruptions for others.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Although it will probably not be hot in Ireland, international air travel will tend to dehydrate you and we will be doing a lot of walking. Dehydration can sneak up on you and can be very serious. Never go out for the day without a bottle of water or two in your bag!
All areas that we are visiting will be 5 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone (so 5:00pm in Ireland will be noon in New York). Plan for this if you are going to contact people back in the US.
You will be responsible for arranging a flight that enables you to arrive in Dublin by the morning of Monday, July 17. We will arrange a place and time to meet in the airport and travel together to our accommodations in Dublin. On an international flight, there are a few things to keep in mind about check in procedures:
- Arrive well before your departure time. For international flights, TSA recommends a minimum of 3 hours before your trip, but it’s better to be even earlier than that. Plan for this if you are flying into JFK to catch our international flight – you’ll need to account for delays, movement between terminals, security checkpoints and other possible delays .
- Adhere to TSA rules about what can be packed in your checked bag and carry on. You shouldn’t pack valuables or electronic items in your checked bag. Carry on luggage has very specific rules about prohibited items (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items) and liquids (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-liquids-rule).
- Dress for comfort and ease of passing through security. Avoid carrying a lot of extraneous items in your pockets. You may also have to remove your shoes, hat, and belt when you pass through the security checkpoint.
- Keep track of your flight boarding pass and passport. You will need to show these items at several points prior to boarding the plane.
- Generally international flights begin boarding about 90 minutes before the flight’s scheduled departure.
- In order to minimize jet lag, before the flight leaves, try to stick as much as possible to your typical schedule (eat a light dinner in the terminal, walk around a bit, avoid napping). The flight to Ireland will leave in the evening and will last about six hours.
- It is very easy to get dehydrated when traveling. Drink water in the terminal and bring a bottle of water onto the flight. Remember that TSA restrictions prohibit carrying of more than 3.4 oz of liquids through security checkpoints. You can bring an empty water bottle and fill it after you pass through security or buy water in a shop.
- You should try to get comfortable and sleep on the plane – there may be a light meal served at the beginning of the flight, but they will dim the lights shortly after takeoff so that you can sleep. If you can get even a little sleep on the plane, this will help reset your body’s internal clock.
- When we arrive in Ireland, you will have had a short night. Try to stick to your normal morning routine.
- It is important that you avoid the temptation to sleep – yes, you will be tired, but the more you sleep during the day at the start of the trip, the more difficult time you will have in resetting to the new time zone. When we get to Dublin, we’ll do a short orientation tour. Plan to explore the city (it’s a great place to walk around), try to stick to your typical meal schedule, and go to bed relatively early.
When you arrive in Ireland, you will pass through customs. A couple of things to prepare for this:
- Before landing, immigration landing cards will be distributed on the plane. You need to fill this out completely, including an address where you will be staying (we will provide you with the address of the Yeats International Summer School before you board).
- On the ground, follow the crowd towards Passport Control and join the line that says “Non-EU Passports. Plan to stand in line for a while – they tend to stack international flights, so there will be a lot of people waiting to clear Passport Control.
- A customs and immigration officer will review your passport and collect your landing card. He or she will also ask you the length and purpose of your visit. You should clearly explain that you are on an “educational tour” of Ireland that is being sponsored by the State University of New York at Geneseo.
- You may be asked about the duration of your stay, where you will be traveling, your occupation in the US, and other questions typical at border crossings. We will provide you with a letter on Geneseo letterhead that explains the purpose of your trip. You should have this letter as well as a printed copy of our itinerary and your return flight information in case there are any questions.
After you clear Passport Control and collect your luggage, you can proceed to our meeting spot. We will congregate to make sure that the group is together and then proceed to our ground transportation to our hostel in Dublin.
Questions and Contact Information
SUNY Geneseo Office of International Program
1 College Circle Erwin 106
Geneseo, NY 14454
Phone: 585-245-5546
Fax: 585-245-5032
Rob Doggett
Department of English
Email: doggett@geneseo.edu
Caroline Woidat
Department of English
Email: woidat@geneseo.edu