Included Program Benefits: Students participating in Loyola’s study abroad program in Cork, Ireland will receive Loyola financial aid (academic scholarships and grants), plus federal aid (not work-study) and some forms of state aid. Travel assistance coverage, including emergency medical evacuation/repatriation, and international student identification card are also part of the package. Students will also participate in an orientation in Cork and the Early Start Program (a special program for students studying in the fall only).

Program Costs and tips on cost of living: You pay Loyola’s tuition, housing fee, study abroad deposit (to hold your child’s place in the program), comprehensive fee, and program fee. Meals are not included in the program. Students live in self-catering apartments. There are also places on campus that your son/daughter can go and eat and get an inexpensive meal. Living in Cork can be quite expensive. Therefore, it is important to set a budget to help keep costs down.

In order to study abroad in Cork, in addition to the charges above, you will need to budget for the following: passport application or renewal application fee, books/supplies, immigration registration card (permit to stay in Ireland) public transportation, communication expenses (cell phones, internet), independent travel, photos, and miscellaneous expenses (laundry, personal hygiene, night life, gym memberships, toiletries)

Paying for your child’s education abroad requires advance planning. Please make sure that you have contacted our Financial Aid Office or Student Administrative Services Department to understand how your aid/monies will work overseas.

Basic Living Expenses:
Basic living expenses vary according to several variables: your child’s spending habits/ lifestyle, start-up costs involved in setting up an apartment, the exchange rate and the cost of living in a particular country.

Health Services, Insurance Information: All students must have comprehensive medical insurance, including hospitalization coverage for abroad. Contact your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers your child abroad. You will have to provide a letter from your insurance company verifying proof of coverage to Loyola. In order to receive Travel Assistance coverage, your child must be covered by a valid health plan in the States.

Link to Consular Information Sheet:
It is important for your son/daughter to know as much as possible about the country he/she will be living in or visiting. The U.S. Department of State provides American Citizens with information on each country/territory around the world. Here is the link to the Country Specific Information on Ireland, along with Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1145.html

Documents/Visa/Airline Arrangements:
All students must have a valid passport. The passport should have at least 6 months left on it after your son/daughter returns from abroad. If your child does not have an adult passport or he/she needs to renew one, have him/her start working on obtaining a valid passport BEFORE applying to this program.

Currently, Ireland does not require US citizens to get a visa. However, students will need to show a valid passport, proof of health insurance, letter of support (provided by Loyola), an airline ticket or e-ticket travel itinerary, and the official letter of acceptance from UCC to custom officials in Ireland.

Group, round-trip airline tickets are included. In order to get a group flight rate, we must have a minimum of 10 students booked on the group flight. If a student withdraws from the group flight, the student will be financially responsible for any monies incurred on his/her behalf.

Banking/Money Issues:
The currency in Ireland is the Euro. Students tend to handle money in three ways while abroad: cash, credit cards, bank or ATM cards and travelers checks. Students usually use bank cards or credit cards to withdraw cash from ATM. These are very convenient, but know that there are often daily or weekly limits to the amount your child may be able to withdraw. We recommend that you contact the bank or company that issued the card to verify that the card is an international card and can be used in Cork as well as in other countries. Obtain a 4-digit pin code (not letters) for the card(s). Only cards with 4-digit numerical codes can be used in ATM machines in Ireland. Find out if there are any daily or weekly limits. Also, verify whether your bank or credit card company charges for each transaction made at an ATM. If this is the case, your son/daughter may want to take out larger amounts at one time and make fewer trips. Keep in mind that when you are dealing with cash, if your son/daughter loses it, it cannot be replaced.

Traveler’s checks can be cashed at any foreign exchange office or in some banks in Ireland. However, there is usually a service fee charged and it is not as convenient as using an ATM. However, if they are lost or stolen, they can be replaced. You will need to discuss this with your son/daughter to see which option is best, or you may choose to do both. Also, it is a good idea to get a major credit card (VISA or MasterCard) in your child’s name.   

Packing/Getting Ready:
The climate in Ireland is mild, with no extreme degrees of heat or cold. Students usually don’t need/wear shorts in Ireland. With airlines getting stricter with luggage limits and weight, it is best to pack light and take only the essentials. Students should pack a good pair of comfortable, walking shoes. Also, a weather proof jacket or coat with a lining may be useful. Most students dress in layers. Try to pack clothes that can be interchanged to make different outfits. 

Students should not bring anything that they cannot afford to lose. It is best to insure any electronic gadgets or a laptop, in the event these items are lost or stolen. Insurance liabilities/limits are different from country to country.

Misc:
The Student Health Office at UCC recommends to international students to get a Meningitis C shot when they arrive on campus. Students attending Loyola should have already received a Meningitis shot prior to entering Loyola. However, the Student Health Office has informed us that there is a different strain of Meningitis that is found in Europe. The decision to get the Meningitis C shot in Cork is up to the student and his/her family. Consult your doctor or the CDC whether or not you want your child to get the immunization shot. Currently the shot is free and provided by the Student Health Office at UCC.

Websites:

University College in Cork 
Ireland information      
Cork information  
Currency conversion 
The World Clock