One extremely popular destination for Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobilities is Ireland, more precisely - the Republic of Ireland. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and a member of the European Union. It’s also home to St. Patrick’s Day, Guinness beer, the Shamrock, Irish dance, fascinating rugged cliffs, emerald-green meadows, the vigorous Atlantic Ocean and much more! Imagine, visiting Ireland and you’ll see and experience all of the above yourself.
The climate of Ireland is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, that’s why winters are milder than you’d expect, and the summers aren’t too hot, they’re usually mildly warm but can also be fresh, cool or just pleasant. You do get lots of rain in Ireland, all year round and cloud but summer is usually relatively nice – with more sunshine! In general, May and June are considered the sunniest months in Ireland. So, if you are NOT a fan of hot, dry weather and burning sun, then Ireland is the ideal place for your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme adventure.
Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the only city with a population of over 1 million people. It is situated on the east coast of the country. There are many Tourist Attractions in Dublin, some of them date back hundreds of years. For example, one of the oldest and the most famous is Dublin Castle – well worth a visit! We’re sure that everybody has heard about Irish beer – Guinness! It’s brewed right in Dublin at the Guinness Brewery.
Dublin is also one of the greenest cities – with lots of green-spaces and parks. You can relax and chill out in nature after your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme internship for example, at Phoenix Park or St. Stephen’s Green.
Dublin is also bike-friendly – there are enough cycle lanes in the city and a self-service bicycle rental system with more than 44 bike terminals throughout the city is available for you to use if you want to.
Dublin has a vibrant nightlife and has a reputation of one of Europe’s most youthful cities. There are a variety of pubs across the city, along with bars and nightclubs too.
It is only logical that the Dublin region is the economic centre of Ireland. There are a few global information and communications’ technology companies as well as pharmaceutical companies (such as Microsoft, Amazon, Pfizer, Google, etc.) that have some operational bases in the city. Financial Services as a business is also an important part of Dublin’s economic life.
When you plan your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobility in Dublin, you should be aware that it is one of the most expensive cities in the European Union.
Galway
Galway is situated on the west coast of Ireland, as opposed to Dublin. You can imagine dramatic sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean! Galway isn’t known so much for its attractions, but rather for its fun approach to life - partly because it’s full of many students, mostly from the National University of Ireland and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. You will definitely appreciate the young, fun atmosphere during your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme experience!
Galway is also considered to be a bit more “Irish” than Dublin because there you are more likely to hear people speaking Gaelic – the Irish language. There are also different places of tourist interest in the town. We suggest the Spanish Arch, the Long Walk and the Docks, especially at sunrise.
Galway is also associated with traditional Irish music and dancing traditions. Consider trying an Irish dance lesson and have fun mastering the steps.
Galway has a stable local economy. You could find your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme placement in tourism, retail, healthcare, construction, financial services, manufacturing industry (especially hi-tech), etc.
A famous tourist attraction in the region is the Cliffs of Moher – just one and a half hours from Galway. These sea cliffs (about 14 km long) are just spectacular and a must-see when visiting the area.
Some people might say that the west coast of Ireland is most interesting to explore because of numerous bays, small islands and rugged cliffs. We’ll tell you a secret. The west coast of Ireland with its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean is ideal for surfing, especially in winter. From Galway you could check out Lahinch or Donegal Bay with their popular surfing beaches – just in case you’ve always wanted to take a couple of surfing lessons 😊.
If you have difficulties finding the right Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme internship for you or you want to organise accommodation, you are welcome to contact us, and we will be happy to help you.
If you are seriously interested ensuring that your Erasmus+ application is well-written, you might find these materials very helpful.
Our blog could be a useful tool for you to read on the way to your dream Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobility!
Next time we’ll write about the remote but tempting continent and country at the same time - Australia! This destination is now available for people in the UK that can participate in the Turing Scheme.
Comments: