Coming to DCU from the US

Dragons Revenge

Hello, I'm going to be going to DCU this spring from the US. It's my first time out of the country (first time on a plane for that matter), and just thinking about the whole experience gives me chills.

So what can I expect from Dublin City University?

I look forward to possibly meeting some of you.

Somnus

Well to me it has a laid back atmosphere. I'm doing science and the first year was great fun. There's a good range of clubs and societies to take part in so you'll most likely find something you like to do outside of academic work.

It's a pretty modern college so there's good facilities and the campus is nice. I'd say you'll enjoy it.

Apparently DCU has a high workload for students. I haven't noticed this to a large extent although my friend doing Multimedia seems to have a lot of assignments. First year for me was grand, I took it as time to get used to and enjoy college life. Second year is a bog step up though, so I'd imagine you'll have to be prepared to work regardless of your course. I suppose that's true of any college though.

What course are you doing if you don't mind my asking?

giveliberty

Hi there....what course are you planning on doing?

First off DCU IMHO is one of the better Dublin, indeed Irish unversities to go too, and I should know, I've been in enough of them. The university campus is relatively small compared to other Irish universities, which adds to its charm.

There are a varied amount of clubs and societies to cater to any interest you may have - we even have an american football club if that interests you. If there isn't something that interests you it is relatively easy to set up a club or society. Every wednesday is Clubs & Society day - well after 2pm, which means for the most part your wednesdays will be free and most clubs and socs will have some sort of event to so you can keep busy and relax!

There is a student bar on campus and a few entertainment venues as well. The bar is cheap enough and does food - and for student bar food its quite good. The staff are friendly and unlike previous years its security seem to be nice guys too.

In terms of the student population it is a rather mixed and diverse bunch of people. DCU has quite a lot of international students and my class had at least 6 american students in it at one point....but that is rather subject dependent. There is an inter-faith centre which is welcoming of all religions also, just in case that is of interest.

Because DCU is a relatively small campus classmates find it easier to bond together - the strong focus on society life in DCU helps this also. The students of DCU come from all social backgrounds and walks of life. DCU has a high population of mature students also, which adds to the mix, and makes us mature students feel not so old!!!

Academically speaking I have found the lecturers friendly and engaging. I am sure there are those in other schools that may disagree but in Humanities and certainly in the School of Communications I have yet to come across a lecturer that's an ass. Lecturers are always open to suggestions and are very flexible when it comes to deadlines if there are problems.

Depending again on what course you are doing you may find that your course is heavily continuous assessment orientated - which can be a blessing and a curse - DCU loves group projects. Marks are generally awarded fairly but there is scope to challenge a mark.

In terms of Student Services DCU would rank in the top 5 certainly in Ireland. The Students Services Advice Centre is staffed by friendly caring people. Careers, the medical and counsellor services are also very good. You do have to pay for the doctor however, but its only €10 a visit, and I think (but open to correction) that follow-ups are free.

DCU has campus accommodation. Compared to other colleges its not the greatest and is expensive, but it does the job I suppose.

Sports facilities are quite excellent, but I don't use them, but I have seen them

DCU is very accessible also. It next to major bus routes which take you directly into the city centre for €1.60 single journey. Student monthly fares are available but are ONLY worth it if you plan on taking the bus quite a lot. Don't get one unless its actually worth it. You can cycle to the city centre if you wish in less than 25 mins - but the cycle from the city centre to DCU is longer as it is mostly hills the whole way to DCU.

Dublin city will allow you to experience the very best and very worst Ireland has to offer. There is a lot to do in Dublin, but it all depends on your interests, bank balance and free time. Be under no illusion Ireland is an expensive country, but it's getting cheaper, it will be a good idea to shop around for things. Also be weary of the GNIB card charge for international students. Do your research on it or ask the DCU international office. I'm not sure if it applies to you as an American citizen but its something you need to be mindful of if you are going home for the holiday season in December.

DCU has semesters that are 12 weeks long, but realistically only 10 of those weeks are spent in class. There is one reading week per semester if you are in humanities, which is usually spent on some holiday or travelling, not in the library where you are meant to be!

The Library is a bit of a bone of contention for me. It's not open as often as it should be, but in fairness as my course is more journal based research it doesn't make much of a difference to me in the long run. It could do with some additional stock on reading list material. It also stocks DVDs of feature movies and documentaries as well as box sets of popular TV series that you can take out free of charge if you want a night in on those crap sofas in campus res!!!

In terms of computers and the equipment etc available to students. Again I can only speak as a Communication students but the PC machines in the Henry Grattan Buliding (Humanities) drive me insane. It is pot luck to get one to work, and even harder to get one to print sometimes. But ISS (Computer services) are a friendly bunch of people and usually get problems fixed rather rapidly. The Grattan building also has Macs, and some of the Mac labs are being updated over the holiday period. They don't have enough of them though!!! We have one TV studio - that is in serious need of modernisation, and two radio studios, Studio 1 - a large performance studio and Studio 2, a more intimate studio but by far the most superior. We also have a state of the art wet room for photography and a very impressive photography studio. And I can't speak anymore highly of the School of Communications tech guys who are legends.

There is a shopping centre 20 mins walk from DCU which has a Tescos - a large UK and Irish supermarket. There is also a cinema there. You can get all the info you want on that at http://www.omnipark.ie/

There are a few restaurants also on campus. The main one does student breakfast specials which are ok, but overall campus food prices are too high. There are two Starbucks coffee outlets on campus (no, you really can't get away from them). They aren't Starbucks outlets per se - but they serve Starbucks branded coffee and stuff.

There is a large performance theatre on campus as well that regularly has different shows, talks and functions on that may interest you. It is called the Helix and you can get its listings at http://www.thehelix.ie/

Otherwise the DCU experience is what you make it really. My advice is not to be shy, get involved in societies and clubs - which you will have ample opportunity to do during the Clubs & Socs day at the start of Semester 1, and indeed in Semester 2 as well.

One word of warning though. And this certainly applies to courses in humanities - our lecturers are not afraid to give their opinion on international events, and several of them are more than happy to point out the faults of the previous american administration, and indeed other administrations. Several american students have got dragged into debates on more than one occasion in class over american foreign policy, and to be truthful I may have been doing a bit of the dragging, but its all in the name of academic discourse and fun, its not meant to be taken as personal. But don't say you haven't been warned LOL - but make sure, if it happens you give as good as you get!!!!

Happy to answer any other questions you may have. DCU is a great college, it has its faults, mind-numbing stupidity sometimes, but overall I am happy I came to DCU. Hope you enjoy it too!

quank

I didn't bother reading that but holy Jesus.

giveliberty

quank wrote: »

I didn't bother reading that but holy Jesus.

LOL I may have gone a tad OTT, but in my defense it was the post or an essay!!
:D

Dragons Revenge

Damn... that's more info than I could've hoped for. Thanks so much. It sounds really really nice. I think the smaller, more personable environment is great for me, since I'm diving head long into something so strange, new and different. I've seen a couple clubs that sound like something I can totally get into.

Oh, program is Journalism. I believe it's under humanities if I remember. I kinda hope I get a bit of a load because I will have way too much time on my hands otherwise.

I'm staying at Shanowen Square, and so DCU and the Omni Shopping Centre are both a short walk away. I'm only going to be here for this semester.

Thanks again, it makes me only want to get over there sooner.

jdivision

Journalism doesn't take up too much time so get involved in clubs and societies.
If you like and want to play American sports while here, there's an American football team (www.dcusaints.com) and I'm one of the coaches, there's a basketball team of the same name and there's a number of baseball teams in Dublin.

giveliberty

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

I'm staying at Shanowen Square, and so DCU and the Omni Shopping Centre are both a short walk away. I'm only going to be here for this semester.

Thanks again, it makes me only want to get over there sooner.

So what year are you going into? if it's second year we will probably share some classes.

Humanities courses are generally light on hours in DCU so keep busy with clubs and societies and you should get involved in the journosoc and the college view so!!! (shameless plug :D )

Dragons Revenge

giveliberty wrote: »

So what year are you going into? if it's second year we will probably share some classes.

Humanities courses are generally light on hours in DCU so keep busy with clubs and societies and you should get involved in the journosoc and the college view so!!! (shameless plug :D )

Most of my classes are year one and year two, I believe.
I'm taking Cross Cultural Communications, History and Structure of the Media and Comm Theory and Memory and Identity in English and Irish Fiction.

I was planning on working with the College View.

As for American Football, thanks a lot, but I'm not much of a sporty type. I haven't played football since I was 12 or 13.

Biggest tip I can give you is to stay away from your fellow Americans while over here. I have seen it happen where people spend their time with themselves and don't actually get to experience any Irish culture...

sum99

Deleted User wrote: »

Biggest tip I can give you is to stay away from your fellow Americans while over here. I have seen it happen where people spend their time with themselves and don't actually get to experience any Irish culture...

I would second this completely. Your social life will be great.

As to the University itself, a word of caution. Irish universities are not well funded and resourced compared to American (or even other European) universities. Aside from the library, academic facilities are poor by the standards you are probably used of and the condition of the journalism building at DCU could only be described as third world.

One word of warning from my exchange year in the some time back. DCU students tend to understate their level of work. They certainly work less than in the US overall, but what they do is also mostly secret. Don't be fooled. Your workload will be less but not as little as it would seem from the local students.

Dragons Revenge

Deleted User wrote: »

Biggest tip I can give you is to stay away from your fellow Americans while over here. I have seen it happen where people spend their time with themselves and don't actually get to experience any Irish culture...

I can see where it would be a comfort thing, especially if they're not used to a different culture. I'm rooming with 3 Irish guys, so I'm going to be as immersed in Irish culture as possible.

Grudaire

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

I can see where it would be a comfort thing, especially if they're not used to a different culture. I'm rooming with 3 Irish guys, so I'm going to be as immersed in Irish culture as possible.

Sure that just means you'll be drinking loads

Dragons Revenge

Cliste wrote: »

Sure that just means you'll be drinking loads

Even better.

Daysha

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

Most of my classes are year one and year two, I believe.
I'm taking Cross Cultural Communications, History and Structure of the Media and Comm Theory and Memory and Identity in English and Irish Fiction.

I did H&S of the Media and Comm Theory last year in 1st year CS and they're both pretty interesting modules, more so H&S. Comm Theory can be quite a bit of work compared to the others, but you may have a different lecturer than I had last year so it may change.

Cross-Cultural Comm is a 2nd year course but I didn't take it up myself, did enough cultural studies in 1st year to last me a lifetime!

I'm also living in Shanowen Square and I know you'll really like it here. Apart from one of two drawbacks (internet can be touch-and-go sometimes, and it is rather expensive) it's miles ahead of the on-campus accomodation. The apartments themselves are generally nicer than Hampstead and security is far more lenient as well.

Btw, giveliberty seriously wasn't kidding about the American debates that can arise in lectures, but you don't do Current Affairs so you should be ok

Dragons Revenge

Thanks for all your input. It's given me a pretty decent idea of what I'm getting into, and I can't wait. I'm curious to hear what the lecturers there think of American politics and such. I'm sure they won't hear me arguing with them lol.

giveliberty

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

Thanks for all your input. It's given me a pretty decent idea of what I'm getting into, and I can't wait. I'm curious to hear what the lecturers there think of American politics and such. I'm sure they won't hear me arguing with them lol.

Argue with them anyway, it's so much fun!!! As Daysha said you don't have current affairs but believe me arguing with the lecturers is what makes 9am starts worth it!!!!

cabla

Where you from Dragon Revenge? Hope your ready to drink? Im in DCU but living in Boston at the moment. Im doing a 3rd year internship here It's a lot different in Ireland. We don't have attendance, so you can get drunk every night and not lose any credits for not turning up. Also, students, compared to Boston, are treated better in Ireland. In terms of going out, discounts etc.... In Ireland there are drink promotions during the week, cheap into clubs... 18 to drink which is cool. Student cards will get you discounts in most stores too. I will say one think about DCU. Just get involved. It's different to America. I cant really describe it, but get involved with whatever your interested in. Make as many friends as early as you can.

Good luck. Oh if you in Boston, Jersey Shore party next weekend

Dragons Revenge

cabla wrote: »

Where you from Dragon Revenge? Hope your ready to drink? Im in DCU but living in Boston at the moment. Im doing a 3rd year internship here It's a lot different in Ireland. We don't have attendance, so you can get drunk every night and not lose any credits for not turning up. Also, students, compared to Boston, are treated better in Ireland. In terms of going out, discounts etc.... In Ireland there are drink promotions during the week, cheap into clubs... 18 to drink which is cool. Student cards will get you discounts in most stores too. I will say one think about DCU. Just get involved. It's different to America. I cant really describe it, but get involved with whatever your interested in. Make as many friends as early as you can.

Good luck. Oh if you in Boston, Jersey Shore party next weekend

I'm from Wisconsin. Imagine all the exciting things you've heard about the US, and strip them away, add (american) football, Nascar and cows, and you're on the right track. I've heard something about students getting discounts on a lot of things with their cards - I heard my CISI insurance card doubles as a discount card, though I'll have to find out about that. As far as getting involved (which I plan on it), DCU gives itself the impression that it's "run by students for students," which is why so many people seem to be stressing it. I will say, they emphasize that idea way more than my school does. Maybe that's what you're getting at. I just gotta remember that while I'm there for the experience, the culture, what have you, I'm also there for school, so naturally that comes first. Once I know how much free time I'll have, I'll definately find ways to spend it.

On a side note, it still boggles my mind that Ireland has Miller and Budweiser, and that they'll be imports. Heh.

cabla

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

I'm from Wisconsin. Imagine all the exciting things you've heard about the US, and strip them away, add (american) football, Nascar and cows, and you're on the right track. I've heard something about students getting discounts on a lot of things with their cards - I heard my CISI insurance card doubles as a discount card, though I'll have to find out about that. As far as getting involved (which I plan on it), DCU gives itself the impression that it's "run by students for students," which is why so many people seem to be stressing it. I will say, they emphasize that idea way more than my school does. Maybe that's what you're getting at. I just gotta remember that while I'm there for the experience, the culture, what have you, I'm also there for school, so naturally that comes first. Once I know how much free time I'll have, I'll definately find ways to spend it.

On a side note, it still boggles my mind that Ireland has Miller and Budweiser, and that they'll be imports. Heh.

Much more selection of beer here I find. And its a lot more expensive in Ireland, as is everything really. Haha, so you from the middle of America so. Lol. Ye, I would say school work is last...hahaa. Partying etc...first. Don't worry about a thing. Your on campus so it will be a lot of fun there I hope for you. The Irish I feel like to cram for exams. So maybe 3 weeks before haha. But on a side note, I have a few Irish friends here in college, and they say the Irish system marks harder. In Ireland an A is 70%

Dragons Revenge

cabla wrote: »

Much more selection of beer here I find. And its a lot more expensive in Ireland, as is everything really. Haha, so you from the middle of America so. Lol. Ye, I would say school work is last...hahaa. Partying etc...first. Don't worry about a thing. Your on campus so it will be a lot of fun there I hope for you. The Irish I feel like to cram for exams. So maybe 3 weeks before haha. But on a side note, I have a few Irish friends here in college, and they say the Irish system marks harder. In Ireland an A is 70%

Guess I'm just a bookworm. Heh, yeah right.

70 is an A? That means I can coast and still ace my classes.
Kinda like at my school.. heh. Yeah, I know everything in Dublin is extremely pricey.

giveliberty

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

Most of my classes are year one and year two, I believe.
I'm taking Cross Cultural Communications, History and Structure of the Media and Comm Theory and Memory and Identity in English and Irish Fiction.

Cross Cultural Communications: I originally had selected that, but I want to pick Comparative European Politics instead. However if I don't get my change through then I will be in that class. Babs is teaching that (Barbara O Connor). We had her in semester one for Research Methods. Old school lecturer, no powerpoint which was bloody annoying. Big user of Moodle so if you don't know how to use moodle maybe take a library seminar on it, but its actually quite self-explanatory. She is a good lecturer and a fair person.

History & Structure: You will either HATE this of LOVE it. This is scheduled for 3 hours on a Friday morning, but only lasts 2 1/2 if memory serves me correctly. The guy who thought us last year was Mark O Brien - sound guy, The exam is a seen exam, so you will get the questions a few weeks prior to the exam. 80% final exam 20% essay - these weightings are totally out of order if you ask me. You will put loads of work into that essay.

Comm Theory: This is thought by Farrell Corcoran. He is one of the lecturers who will be more than happy to start talking about American politics. He is highly knowledgeable and a highly respected academic. He was actually head of the school before he left for RTE - the state broadcaster - to be its chairperson. He has no time for people not attending his seminars, and be prepared for those seminars, do your required reading, he won't be too kind on marks if you don't. Speak up in the seminars, or even his lecture, he will remember you, which will be handy when he's marking

No clue about the other subject I am afraid.

jdivision

Dragons Revenge wrote: »

70 is an A? That means I can coast and still ace my classes.
.

The exact opposite, it means if you study hard you might get 70%. In most courses you won't get higher than 75%. There is no curve or anything like that either.

Dragons Revenge

jdivision wrote: »

The exact opposite, it means if you study hard you might get 70%. In most courses you won't get higher than 75%. There is no curve or anything like that either.

Oh damn, that's brutal. Well, I can handle it!