Housing in Ireland



WHAT ARE THE HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS IN IRELAND?

Housing arrangements are very important aspects of students’ experiences overseas. Many impressions, either positive or negative, of this new culture are a result of this facet of the program. A student’s daily existence and general well-being are directly affected by the home situation. Loras College is sensitive to the importance of housing situations in the overall success of a student’s experience.

Students living together need to remember the strategies they used when they first entered college and had to live with a new roommate. Personalities, the chemistry of human relationships, the expectations and flexibility of those involved are all factors which affect the success of situations where strangers come together in arrangements of mutual benefit. It is natural to feel a bit anxious when living in a foreign country and students need to be courteous to their roommates’ emotions.

Loras College has secured student residential housing in Sandymount, an attractive, residential neighborhood.

CAN I HOST OVERNIGHT GUESTS IN MY APARTMENT IN IRELAND?

Overnight guests are prohibited out of fairness to the other students and respect for occupancy maximums.

DO I HAVE TO COOK FOR MYSELF IN IRELAND?

Yes, you are responsible for their your own meals and will have full cooking facilities in your apartment. It is advised to do most of your own cooking, as eating out can become costly. The Irish usually do grocery shopping a few times a week picking up items they will use right away as opposed to the American way of going once and stocking up. To save space and money roommates might want to do some shopping together and share bread, milk, etc. You will find food that is common in the United States will not exist in Europe or will taste different. The basic diet also differs from that of the United States.

Adaptation to a different culture is a vital part of an overseas experience. Complaints such as “I prefer my food boiled to fried,” “I need more heat, space, quiet, privacy to be happy,” or “I prefer more meat and vegetables and salads instead of so much fish, so many eggs, and so many potatoes” are understandable points-of-view, and many are valid complaints, but they indicate a desire to adapt Ireland to American customs rather than the student adapting to Irish customs.