Hi everyone! My name is Danielle and I am studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I studied abroad at Trinity during the Michaelmas term and I wanted to share my student experience of Trinity and Dublin!
Before I came to Trinity, I was eager to find out what my new routine would be like. How long would my walk to uni be? Would I enjoy my classes? What sorts of clubs would I join, and what kind of friends would I make? While everyone’s experience at Trinity will differ (as it should!), here’s an inside look at what a regular day looked like for me.
7:30 AM
Time to hit the snooze button a couple of times until I can get myself out of bed to get ready for the day. I’ve found that Trinity students can be pretty fashion forward, so I’ve enjoyed this time abroad to branch out from my typical way of dressing for class. Since I’m usually in a rush in the morning, my go-to breakfast is porridge, which you can find for super cheap in Dublin! (pro-tip: Lidl has a bag of oats big enough to last you for the term for just €1!)
8:20am
Leave for class. I live in a student accommodation in the Liberties, so I’ll usually just walk to school (save for when the Irish rain hits), and it takes about 20 minutes. If you walk to school, you’ll notice there are a lot more tourists to dodge as weekenders are visiting the city on Fridays and Mondays.
9:00am
First class of the day! One thing I’m grateful for here is that they don’t (as far as I know) have any 8am classes, so this is the earliest you will have to get to campus. My first class is an urban geography module titled Cities, Space, and Culture. One of my favorite things about my classes here are the new perspectives they encourage me to take on.
11am
First class of the day completed! Don’t worry if your schedule seems completely full, class will typically end about 10 minutes early to leave students time to get to their next module. Also for two-hour classes, your professor will typically give you a small break in the middle (this was something I was worried about!)
11:15am
I will usually spend this time meeting up with friends and getting some other course work done while I wait for my next class. The Arts Block has tons of chairs and tables and is the perfect spot to catch up with friends or do some readings for class.
12pm
Time for my next class! This is a history module called Early Christian Ireland, and I would definitely recommend it if you want to learn more about medieval Ireland. It is a large class in a lecture hall, and has a few discussions throughout the end of the term as well.
1pm
Time for lunch! If I’m treating myself, I’ll buy lunch at The Buttery; Trinity’s very own restaurant on campus. They are known for their budget friendly meals and are definitely worth trying. But with a student budget, I will usually just bring a packed lunch. (Pro Tip: there are microwaves in the Student Union kitchen in House 6 that you can use!)
2pm
After lunch I’ll typically try to be productive for a couple hours. Although I’m a bit hesitant to give this away, my favorite study spot on campus has become the Ussher Library. If you head up a few flights, there are tons of desks overlooking College Park through large glass windows, making it the perfect spot for a quiet work environment and to get some natural light while you work away.
5pm
Time to hit the gym! All Trinity students have access to the Sports Centre, which has all the gym equipment you would need for your workout, as well as a pool and sauna. The gym also has a rock climbing wall and fitness classes that you can take part in for a small additional fee.
6pm
By this time, I usually start to head home for the day unless something is happening on campus I want to stick around for. For me, this has included Study Abroad Mixers, hanging out at the Pav on Fridays, taking part in the Food and Drink Society’s many masterclasses, seeing my friends performance from the DU Players, attending a Phil Society debate, and so much more. There are so many clubs and societies at Trinity, you are bound to find one that you enjoy!
6:20pm
My walk home is usually my favorite part of the day! I usually try to walk a different way home every so often, just to soak up the Dublin atmosphere and see new bits of the city.
7pm
Time to make dinner! My favorite low-cost (and low effort) student meals include stir fry, cheese on toast (with some onion chutney if you’re feeling extra fancy), spaghetti bolognese, and roasted potatoes with veggies.
8:30pm
Around this time my friends and I will usually head out for the evening! There are many great restaurants nearby, and some of our favourite spots for a drink have included No Name Bar, Flannery’s, and Whelan’s.
10:30pm
Some nights we will go from the pub to a club night, and I am especially fond of the ones that Trinity Ents puts on. It’s a great way to meet other Trinity students, as well as experience more of the uni life here. Some of my favorite club nights this term have been at Dtwo, Copper Face Jacks, and Dicey’s.
The best thing about coming to study abroad at Trinity is that you get to decide what your experience will be like. So don’t be afraid to jump in with both feet, you won’t regret it!
To learn more about Trinity’s study abroad, international exchange, and Erasmus scheme options, check out the website.
