2014INTERNATIONALSUMMER SCHOOLNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND

M A Y N O O T H

Fáilte go

Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad.

Welcome

Arrival in Ireland

Suggested Packing List

Helpful Information

Residence Halls & Our Campus

Academic Programme

Campus Map

Extra-Curricular Programme

Adapting to a New Culture

Useful Apps

Contacts while in Ireland

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2014INTERNATIONALSUMMER SCHOOLNUI MAYNOOTH

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WELCOME TONUI MAYNOOTH

On behalf of everyone involved in the International Summer School we would like to welcome you to the National University of Ireland Maynooth. We hope that your stay with us will be pleasant, enjoyable, and rewarding. Our young, friendly staff will be available to offer you support and advice throughout your studies and should you encounter any problems, we will be available to assist in any way we can. Our aim is to make every aspect of your experience here, both inside and outside the classroom, one you will always cherish.

This guide contains some information that will be useful to you as you settle into student life in Maynooth and can act as a quick reference guide to the facilities and services available to you. The ISS Team endeavour to make the transition to living and studying in Maynooth as stress-free as possible. If you have questions that are not answered in this guide, call in to the Student Common Room where we will do our best to help you with your query.

National University of IrelandInternational Summer School Team ‘14

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ARRIVAL IN IRELAND

We’re looking forward to seeing each and every one of you when you arrive and we will be making sure that this transition is as stress-free as possible. That’s why we’ll be meeting you all at Dublin Airport on Sunday 6 July at midday.

A coach has been arranged for you to be brought to campus so that’s one less thing to worry about. Once you arrive, you’ll be checked into your campus accommodation and given a chance to unpack and to meet your new room-mates.

Orientation of Maynooth town will take place between four and five pm. Don’t worry: this won’t be too hectic. it will give you a chance to see your home for the next four weeks and you can stretch your legs after your long flight. We’ll show you the best places in town to eat, do your shopping, where you can access public transport, and we’ll tell you a little bit about the history of our town which is over six hundred years old.

At five pm the Summer School team will be having dinner in a local restaurant (Chill Downtown) and we’d love you to come along so we can get to know you a little better before the programme begins. If at this time you have any questions, comments, queries or quandaries we’ll be more than willing to help you out as best we can. We’ll be available to help you for the duration of your stay, too. This dinner is non-compulsory and is not included within the cost of the Summer School.

Following dinner the evening is yours. You can do some shopping, settle in to your apartment, and you can get a good night’s rest before campus orientation and registration on Monday.

Travel light! It is so much easier than struggling with a ton of luggage. Remember that you will be able to do laundry, so don’t bring unnecessary clothes. You can always buy something once you get to Ireland in case you feel like you forgot anything. Ireland has a reputation for having “four seasons in every day” so it’s advisable to bring a mix of warm clothes and summer clothes.

Don’t forget to bring the following:

• Passport and identity papers (+ copies)• Proof of health insurance (+ copies) in case of sickness or accident• Letter of Acceptance to study at NUI Maynooth Summer School• Proof that fees have been paid in full (receipt for the money

transferred to NUI Maynooth)• Credit card, ATM card, and/or traveller’s checks• Calculator, notebooks, pencils (for classes)• Laptop and charger*• Camera, charger, USB cable, memory cards & AC adapter*• Towels, wash-clothes, travel toiletries• Rain coat and/or umbrella• Comfortable walking shoes • Summer clothes, light jacket and a few warmer clothes• Small/medium suitcase for weekend trips

DO NOT bring anything with a heating element (hair dryer, curling iron, clothing iron, etc.)*

*See Electrical Equipment in the “Helpful Information” section.

SUGGESTEDPACKING LIST

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VISA and Immigration Not all students who come to Ireland need a visa. Before you leave home you must go to The Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie, click on ‘Travel’ on the top menu and then select ‘Visas’. You will find all the necessary information on this website to obtain a visa. Please read this information carefully.

If you are coming to Ireland and you must pass through another country on your journey here, it is important that you check with the appropriate embassy to see if you need a transit visa to enter that country before continuing your journey to Ireland.

While you are here in Ireland and you wish to leave for a short period of time, you must apply for a re-entry visa. Details for this can be found on the aforementioned website. You will require a letter from the University to state you are a registered student and you must request this from the International Office.

Non-EEA students who come to Ireland for a short term study (<90 days) are not required registration with the Irish Immigration authorities. This type of student is treated as an educational tourist and will be subject to visit/holiday visa rules. What is important is:

(a) The stated reason for their visit is credible(b) The student/tourist has a return flight and leaves at the end of their stay(c) They can support themselves while here

HELPFULINFORMATION

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(d) They obey the law(e) They do not engage in work(f ) They are covered by private medical insurance.

The student must demonstrate that they are enrolled on a short term course of less than 90 days and that they have paid the course fees in full. All guidelines may be found on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website at www.inis.gov.ie. Health Insurance

For non-EU students, confirmation of private medical insurance is required. The insurance system is operated by an insurance broker called O’Driscoll O’Neill in Ireland on behalf of Medicover. Medicover Medical Expenses which is the most economical policy costs €120 for one year cover.

You may apply for this policy via: https://nuimas.studentfees.ie/. The payment is made by bank transfer. You must fill in your personal details, including your email address and student number, select MEDICAL INSURANCE (1 year cover) and follow the online instructions on how to pay the fee through your bank. The insurance details and policy will be emailed to the address you have provided. Please keep these documents safe as you will need them for Immigration purposes and for any future claims.

The three Irish health insurance providers are VHI (www.vhi.ie), Quinn Health Care (www.quinn-healthcare.ie) or Aviva Health (www.avivahealth.ie). Policies start from €400 (approximately) and cover a range of services. You must contact these companies directly to organise your health insurance cover. EU students will need an E111/E128 or European Health Insurance Card which can be obtained in your home country.

6Medication

If you take prescription medications on a regular basis you should carry a note from your doctor stating your medical condition, the purpose of the medication, dosage information and the brand and generic names of the medication. This is especially necessary if you will be carrying insulin, syringes or narcotics.

Keep all medications in their original containers with your name clearly printed on the labels. Bring enough of your medication to last your entire stay abroad. You should pack all prescription medication in your carry-on luggage in case your packed luggage is lost during the flight.

Opening A Bank Account

Although students who visit for a semester or year open bank accounts, we do not believe that it is necessary to do so if you are only in the country for four weeks. Most stores in Ireland accept credit cards, although some have “minimum-spend” policies. This can be as little as €5 in some stores. You can also withdraw cash using your ATM card but there may be fees related with this. Please contact your bank before departing for further information.

Irish banks usually open Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm. Log onto www.citizenzinformation.ie to find more information on all the above!

Cell Phones

International roaming and calling rates for your cell phone are usually very expensive. Furthermore, only phones designed for European GSM networks (World Phones) will work. If your cell phone can accept an international SIM card AND has been un-SIMLocked, you can purchase an Irish SIM card to use the phone in Ireland. Call your cell phone provider for specific information. If

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you choose, you can buy an inexpensive, simple Irish cell phone while you’re here, however keep in mind your program is only 4 weeks long.

Phone Number Principles

Most Irish phone numbers have 10 digits and start with “0” (e.g. 01 2345678). The country code for Ireland is 353. The international dialling prefix for calling from Ireland is 00. In the same way that you add the area code when calling long-distance within, you replace the “0” at the beginning of the Irish number with the international dialling prefix and Ireland’s country code:

00 + (International code) + (area code) + (phone number)

Cell phones can still dial numbers the conventional way, or use the universal international dialling prefix, “+” (press and hold 0), which replaces 00 or 011. If you store numbers in this format, the call will go through no matter where you are calling from or to. This is why phone numbers are often listed as “+353 1 2345678” or “+1-555-234-5678” in emails or on business cards.

Irish cell phone numbers all start with “08” and have 10 digits just like landlines. However, it is always more expensive to call a cell phone (receiving a call on a cell phone doesn’t cost anything, however).

Student ID Card

We’ll provide you with an NUIM - National University of Ireland Maynooth student ID card for the summer. While this should be sufficient for most student reductions in Ireland, you can also get an International Student ID Card (ISIC). This provides additional reductions at numerous theatres, concert halls, shops and museums. To obtain an ISIC or information about it, check

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out the following site: http://www.isic.org/. Some of your schools sell ISIC in their Travel Centre or Study Abroad Office.

Student Travel Card

The Student Travelcard is an ID card that students can apply for to avail of discounted ticket prices for Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and LUAS. It also entitles the holder to a vast range of discounts on other services and goods. For further information about the Student Travelcard simply call to the Maynooth Students’ Union where you can purchase one directly.

Electrical Equipment Ireland’s wall outlets use 230V AC power (as opposed to 110V in the US) with a three square-pin plug. Most electronics with an AC adapter (cell phone,

laptop, camera, razors) are Dual-Voltage Compatible (INPUT:110~240VAC). Check the label on the adapter. If the device is Dual-Voltage Compatible, only a plug adapter is needed. Otherwise, you will need a voltage converter to change 220V to 110V AC (as the device may fry when you plug it in). Available at Radio Shack and most travel stores for around $20, but be aware as they can be heavy, unreliable, and increase the risk of short circuits/electrical fires.

The residence hall rooms have multiple outlets, however they are depressed within the wall. You will need an adapter that juts out slightly in order to plug your electronics in (i.e. not an adapter that plugs in and is flush with the surface of the wall). You can bring a US power strip (NOT a surge suppressor) or extension cord with several plugs to run multiple items off of one plug adapter/outlet. However, be careful not to overload the outlet! Also, US surge suppressors will trip the circuit breaker in Ireland because of the voltage difference.

IMPORTANT: Do not bring anything with a heating element - hair dryer, curling iron, clothing iron, etc. Even with the appropriate voltage converter, these items tend to catch fire while in use. Travel-irons and hair dryers don’t usually work well; it’s usually cheapest, easiest and safest to buy what you need when you get to Ireland. It might be advisiable to share the cost among other students who will wish to use the item during the programme.

Luggage

Check with your airline to see what your luggage allowance is. Generally, your airline will charge for excess weight, but usually International flights have more allowance for bags than Domestic flights. Make sure you bring a small/medium suitcase/duffel bag that you can use for our two-night trip to Cork and Kerry.

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See the note in the “Suggested Packing List” section.

Helpful Links

Dublin Bus - www.dublinbus.ieNational Bus Service - www.buseireann.ie Irish Rail - www.irishrail.ieCheap European Flights - www.ryanair.comIf You Need Someone To Talk To Anonymously - www.aware.ie (1890 303 302)

National University of Ireland Maynooth has several on-campus residence halls within a five minute walk of lecture theatres, the library, sports and recreational facilities. There are 890 beds on campus, all of which are operated directly by the university and from which we guarantee all international students accommodation. The apartments are secure and there are staff on call at any time of the day or night.

All Summer School students will be staying in single bedroom apartments in Rye Hall (pictured above) with shared common areas which consists of a full kitchen and living area. Each apartment has at least two shower rooms and wireless internet access is available throughout. Each student’s room is brightly lit with natural light and consists of a bed, storage space and a desk and chair.

For the duration of the NUIM Summer School the Residence Office have put in place the following rules in the interest of the safety and security of all students. We must insist that they are adhered to at all times:

RESIDENCE HALLS & OUR CAMPUS

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• Respect your room-mates and neighbours.• No noise after 11 p.m.• Keep your music down to a minimum at all times.• Keep your living quarters in good, clean condition.• Abide by the rules and regulations of the dorm.• No visitors or sleep-over guests are allowed• All residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and

communal areas.

Catering & Shopping

The programme includes meals for all students from Monday morning until Friday afternoon in the Phoenix Canteen (see map on p15-16) . When students require groceries and household items for their apartment, there are several shops in the town at which to do so.

• Tesco is a large supermarket located a ten minute walk from campus. It stocks a wide range of products including groceries, electrical items, clothing, home-wares, and stationary.

• Dunnes Stores is located in Lyreen Manor, a shopping centre less than five minutes walk from campus. Here you will find a large home-wares selection in addition to groceries.

• Aldi is a discount grocery store located directly opposite the pedestrian entrance to campus. Although it does not stock brand named products, they are of a high quality and are very inexpensive.

Tesco Dunnes Stores AldiOpen 6:00 8:30 9:00

Closed 00:00 20:00 20:00All times are approximate and correct at time of compilation

13Our Campus

The National University of Ireland Maynooth was founded by the Universities Act, 1997 as a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. It is Ireland’s second oldest university, having been formed from St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, itself founded in 1795. The South Campus is the oldest in Ireland having been a centre of education since 1425. Just outside the campus gates is Maynooth Castle, which was the historic home of the Fitzgeralds who were Earls of Kildare and Lords Deputy of Ireland. The North Campus holds NUIM’s flagship building named after Maynooth alumnus John Hume who is a famed a politician, activist, and Nobel Laureate.

Students of the Summer School will be housed and taught on the North Campus which was built during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. During orientation all students will be given a walking tour of both campuses showing them the iconic history of NUI Maynooth and St. Patrick’s College as well as the facilities which they will have access to over the duration of their stay. This will include the Phoenix Canteen where the students will dine, the John Hume Building where all their lectures will take place, and the John Paul II Library which has recently undergone a €20 million expansion.

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Students will have the opportunity to choose and register for their modules on Monday 7 July and classes will begin the following morning at 9am. Classes will run until approximately midday. Following lunch each day, students will have tutorial or group-work sessions to consolidate what has been discussed in that day’s class, as well as having an opportunity to work on any assignments in the company of a tutor.

For some of your courses, lecturers have provided compulsory readings and core texts which you should prepare before the commencement of your course. These are available for download at dropbox.com.

How to access class readings:

• Follow this link: https://www.dropbox.com/home/ISS%20Reading

Please read the documents related to your course before your arrival. These will mean that you are more familiar with the course you are about to commence, you will more aware of how the course will be taught and assessed, and it will lessen the work you will be required to do upon arrival.

If you’re unsure about what modules you would like to take, have a browse through the readings. You will not have to select your modules until registration on Monday 7 July.

If you have any questions concerning the programme, please email us in advance at summer.school@nuim.ie or alternatively, you will have an opportunity to discuss your course with your lecturers on registration day.

ACADEMICPROGRAMME

Rye Hall: Student AccomodationJohn Hume Building: Lecture TheatresStudent Common Room: Home RoomPhoenix Canteen: Dining AreaJohn Paul II Library: NUIM Library

Student Service Centre: Medical CentreSports Hall: Gym & Weights Room

IMPORTANT BUILDINGS

EXTRA-CURRICULARPROGRAMME

NUIM Summer School offers students the opportunity to engage and learn outside of the classroom. We will be offering an array of extra-curricular activities each week which will be coordinated by NUIM students representing their clubs and societies. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with Irish students who will be enthusing about their hobbies and teaching you new skills.

Coupled with this, NUIM is offering you the opportunity to see more of Ireland than just our campus and town. Each weekend there will be trips to different corners of Ireland to show you the culture and history that Ireland has to offer.

Wicklow & Kilkenny - Saturday 12 July

This trip will show some of the most beautiful historical locations in the east of Ireland. In Wicklow, which is known as The Garden of Ireland, we will have the opportunity to see the iconic Wicklow Mountains (which you might recognise from the films Braveheart and P.S. I Love You) and a monastic settlement and round tower from the early sixth century in Glendalough. We will also have a chance to visit the medieval city of Kilkenny, The Marble City, home of the famous Kilkenny Castle and The Black Abbey.

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Cork & Kerry - Friday 18-Sunday 20 July

Leaving on Friday afternoon, this trip will take us south to Ireland’s second-largest city: Cork. We’ll have a chance to see this beautiful city on Friday night and on Saturday we’ll be travelling around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. On Sunday, we’ll travel back to Maynooth.

Belfast - Saturday 26 July

Belfast is the birthplace of the Titanic and is steeped in Irish history. On this trip we’ll have an opportunity to see the Titanic Centre and the docks from which the ship left Ireland over a century ago, as well as stopping by several other key cultural and historical landmarks.

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WORLD CUPBRAZIL 2014

For those of you who plan on watching the World Cup this summer, the following matches will be screened live in the Student Common Room on campus. Come along and cheer on your team!

Semi-Final

Tuesday 8 July - Estadio Mineirao - 9pmWednesday 9 July - Arena de Sao Paulo - 9pm

Third Place Play-Off

Saturday 12 July - Estadio Nacional - 9pm

Final

Sunday 13 July - Estadio do Macarana - 8pm

it’s perfectly normal to feeel a little out of your depth when you arrive in a new country. When it comes to countries like Ireland, you may have pre-concieved ideas of what to expect that might be quite different in reality. This might be based on experiences you’ve heard about from friends or family, or even from reading about Ireland or seeing it in films or tv shows. What you will have to remember is that not everyone’s experience of Ireland is the same and that even though we are a very small country, your experience will not be exactly the same as anyone elses. Keeping an open mind and embracing new experiences is key to adapting to any new culture.

There is much about Ireland that will be different to how you live back home. The weather, the food, the teaching styles, and the timetables will a little different, but you should by no means assume that “different” means “wrong” or “weird”. Different cultures and customs are what makes the world interesting and part of the fun of studying abroad is embracing these aspects of your host country. It’s not uncommon for international students to feel a “culture shock” to some degree when coming to a new country, but this is perfectly natural.

What is culture shock?

Culture shock can be a little stressful. It can happen when you get a little overwhelmed with all the differences of your new host country when you’re trying to adapt. Being outside of your comfort zone in a new country can lead to some students getting depressed, stressed out, or even ill.

These can come as a result of adapting to a new culture, and when the little things you took for granted back home aren’t available in your new host

ADAPTING TO ANEW CULTURE

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nation. These can include everything from missing your friends and family, missing the heat (Ireland’s temperatures rarly go above 90°F), or even the fact that the food here is a little different to what you would get back home. Different cultural customs and language may cause problems too. These can be anything from different terminology, how people interact, how leisure time is used, social conventions and how people interact. Getting used to these differences can be quite stressful, but can also be a lot of fun.

There’s no definitive answer on how to deal with new cultures. Everyone’s experience is going to be a little bit different. Thed important thing to remember is that it does happen to everyone to a certain degree, and that you are not alone. Talk to us. We’ve all been there before and will do whatever we can to help you aclimatise to your new surroundings. Alternatively, here are a few tried and tested steps you can take to help make the transition easier:

• Accept that things are going to be different. New countries are going to have different ways of doing things that you may not agree with. Don’t let this fact bother you. The best thing to do is accept the fact

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that things will be different and by doing so, they won’t get under your skin as easily.

• Have an open mind. Relax and try to get involved in local events or customs. You may end up finding aspects of this new culture interesting and may even adopt them yourself.

• Keep your eyes open for cultural differences. This is the best way to fit in to your new home country. You’ll quickly find out what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate which will make yourself at home.

• Be patient. You are not going to get used to living abroad in a couple of days but you will in time.

• Use your free time well. You won’t have class in the evenings and if you’re used to a full schedule: keep busy. There will be plenty of oportunities to learn new skills or discover the countryside so embrace them.

• Get some exercise. It’s a great way to keep your mind and body distracted and will help battle the culture shock. You’ll have access to a gym on campus as well as many scenic running routes around campus.

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USEFUL APPS(Available on IOS and Android)

Allows you to message your contacts for free.

VIBER

Real-time information on all Dublin Bus routes.

DUBLIN BUSReal-time information on Irish trains.

IRISH RAIL

Seems a bit obvious, but it’ll keep you up to date with the programme.

FACEBOOK

For quickly ordering a taxi.

HAILOHandy to have if you get lost or separated from the group.

GOOGLE MAPS

Contains useful maps, contacts, and links

LIFE NUIM

Allows you to video chat and make calls for free

HANGOUTS

Eoin ByrneFor any issues

Campus SecurityLocation: Arts Block

International OfficeLocation: Humanity House

Residence OfficeLocation: Behind Rye Hall

Medical CentreLocation: Student Services Building

Maynooth Police StationLocation: Main Street

IMPORTANT CONTACTSWHILE IN IRELAND

083 1583127

01 708 3929

01 708 3868

01 708 6190

01 708 3878

01 629 1444or 112

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Throughout the programme we will have a member of staff available for a few hours every day in the Student Common Room if you have an issues or questions relating to your course, your accommodation, any additions you feel we should make or the programme in general.

Your safety and well-being are paramount to the NUIM Summer School and we will endeavour to make sure that you are taken care of to the best of our ability. In order to maintain these high standards, please keep note of these contact numbers should you need them.

2014INTERNATIONALSUMMER SCHOOLNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND

M A Y N O O T H