All work, no play? No way!

BY B. SIEJA, H. KUBO

Turning twenty one opens up a new world for you. Now you have to learn how to balance work and play. Dublin City University just celebrated its 21st birthday and is one of the youngest universities in Ireland. As such, it offers lots of events and entertainment. There is something for everyone, particularly newly arrived international students, allowing you to both study and socialise.

 Academic life

NuBar in The Hub by B. Vysoky

To begin with, make sure that study comes first. Do not forget that you are in the university and you have to adapt to new environment. It is beneficial that you learn new academic skills to keep up with classes and exams. DCU provides you with various academic workshops. Here is a list that might interest you:

• Note-taking Lectures
• Introduction to Reading Techniques
• Academic Writing for Assignments
• Coping with Culture Shock
• Working in Groups
• Time Management
• Presentation skills
• Managing Stress, Focus & Energy for Exam Performances

DCU Library by B. Vysoky

Workshops usually take up to two hours to complete and are presented in a relaxed and friendly way. For example, in the  ‘Working in Groups’ workshop you will be practising how to cooperate with your peers, talk about your ideas, propose new plans, etc. Training includes simulations of working on a group project.  Also, you get handouts and notes for free!  

We attended some of the workshops and what we have learned helped us in our studies and private lives. Skills such as effective time management, verbal and written communication and team work can also be practical to your future workplace. If you want to find out more, go to “Academic and Study Skills Support” on DCU homepage.

Social life

So what can hard working students do with their free time? They can participate in many of the exciting events that happen in DCU. In this article we list some of these events focusing on The Hub and The Helix. These facilities can be enjoyed by all DCU students regardless of membership of clubs and societies.

Events in the NuBar

Inside NuBar by B. Vysoky

The NuBar is a social outlet in The Hub where students can enjoy food and beverages, chatting with friends, listening to music or playing billiards. It also hosts some official DCU events. For example, last year the Inter Faith Centre organised a Christmas party for international students at the NuBar.

Every Tuesday is Toxic Tuesday at the NuBar. Drinks are available at discount prices and DJ's play the latest hot club sounds. This could be a good opportunity for stress management and utilising your communication skills. This is one of the most popular events during the semester.

The Music Society in DCU hosts Open-mic events at The Venue. You can enjoy this particular event as an audience member or participant if you wish. They provide some of the instruments and all you have to do is give your name and your chosen instrument before the event starts.

Every once in a while the NuBar offers free food for students and soft drinks at discount prices. You would be advised to get there early because the free food is limited and offered on a 'first come-first served' basis.

These and other events can be discovered on GreatCraic.ie which is the official DCU social website.

Events in The Helix

The Helix by B. Vysoky

The Helix is a state of the art theatre on the grounds of DCU. It has three performance spaces which are used by student societies and professional touring companies alike.

You can enjoy various art forms including drama, dance, film, and pantomime. The Helix also hosts guest lecturers from around the world. During the day its warm cosy atmosphere attracts students and staff. Students meet there to discuss their group projects and to socialise. At night you can attend dance recitals, live music shows, dramatic performances, old movie classics or the annual panto.

Dance recitals can be anything from hip-hop to ballet to Irish dancing. Second Age Theatre Company is well known for staging their Shakespearean productions here. Live music shows at The Helix include Orchestral, Gospel, Rock, and Pop. It is also the venue for RTE's talent show The Voice of Ireland which is a competition to win a recording contract with Universal Music. Tickets prices for all these events vary so check their website for regular updates.

DCU provides us with all the social and academic events we need in order to have a balanced college experience. Enjoy!

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Student accommodation

BY H. KUBO, M. MIYAMURA, J. TREILLAUD

On campus

If you want to live on campus, DCU Campus Residences Ltd. offers three choices for incoming students. You can choose among Larkfield Apartments, Hampstead Apartments and College Park Apartments. Each accommodation has sets of 5 rooms and 1 dining room with a kitchen, so a maximum of 5 students can share one flat. In addition, each room has a study space and access to the Internet. If you drink a lot and oversleep the next day, don’t worry! Each apartment is located on Campus, so you can go to every classroom from your room within 5 minutes. 

In fact, Larkfield Apartments are only open to first year students and the other students (including Erasmus students) can choose their room between Hampstead and College Park Apartments. Perhaps it is very lucky that Erasmus students can’t live in Larkfield Apartments, because some unfortunate students who live in Larkfield Apartments say it is like a prison! Such complaints seem to come from its narrow size. As for Hampstead and College Park Apartments, I conducted research and the comparison is as indicated below.

College Park Accommodation by H. Kubo

The size: In general, the rooms of College Park Apartments are larger than those of Hampstead. However, you can select the rank of the room. In Hamstead, you can live in a single ensuite room or a superior ensuite room. In College Park, you can choose not only these two types but also a deluxe bedroom. The deluxe accommodation has a TV. However, it might be a bit difficult to get a deluxe room because it is determined by the result of a draw.

The price: Bear in mind that the price of the room depends on its rank. In general, Hampstead is cheaper than College Park; the former would be €4,234 and the latter €4,568 for the annual rent. At any rate, you might think it’s a bit expensive to live on Campus. However, the price already includes the deposit and energy bills. 

Tips: The dryers in College Park are €1 cheaper!

The nationality: It is said that there are more Irish students in Hampstead than in College Park and more International students in College Park.

In my personal opinion, some students who live with Irish students seem to have difficulty in their lives. Irish students often have parties in their flat and sometimes it might be too noisy in the middle of night. However, how about just thinking of such parties as good opportunities to make friends? They would be perfect opportunities to make friends with native speakers of English, and also you can hardly ask for more to experience REAL IRISH CAMPUS LIFE!

 Off-campus

Though the life on campus has many advantages, it is not the only accommodation available when you study at DCU. Some of them are situated just near the university while others are farther away. The two main student residences are Shanowen Hall and Shanowen Square. Both are situated on Shanowen Road, it takes 5 minutes to go to the university from there. You can book them on the DCU website once you have registered. So they are full of international students and can be really nice, depending on your relationships with your roommates. But there is still a majority of Irish students there and you will be immersed in an Irish student life. 

Accomodation on Shanowen road by H. Kubo

There is a system of a single room with bathroom for each person, with a kitchen shared between 4 or 5 persons. The rents are similar, with electricity fees (as long as you don’t exceed a certain amount) and Wi-Fi internet included in Shanowen Hall (working more or less well) and available for €80/semester in Square. You have to be aware that the rent for the whole semester has to be paid in one go (around €2200 according to the semester, plus a deposit when you book your room) and that it may not be the best choice if you are waiting for your scholarships or planning to get a work to afford the price of an accommodation. Otherwise legend has it that Shanowen Square throws the best parties, however Shanowen Hall is far from being quiet, especially on “Toxic” Tuesday nights.

These residences try to make you rush by telling you that accommodations are booked quite early and that it may be hard to get something else. However there are possibilities to find other flats. The Gateway Student Village (15 minute walk from DCU) offers rooms from €99 a week and seems to be appreciated by the students living there. Hazelwood (30 minute walk  from DCU) has a similar rent (€110/month with electricity and internet included) but pray for having an apartment full of nice flatmates as the system of electricity needs good relationships as you will need to share electricity cards (problems seem to occur very rarely though). Don’t be afraid to go and ask in some houses to let: a student got a house shared with 3 other people for €430 to €520 a month depending on the season and the need of heating. The house is much more comfortable than the usual student flats, though it is much farther from the university (near the Phoenix Park).

If you feel like you can handle arriving in Dublin without a place to stay for the whole semester/year, you can find one once you are there. Nonetheless, make sure to have a place for the week or at least a few days when you arrive, such as a B&B or a cheap hostel, as it is safer and cheaper, but do not stay too long either as it is still more expensive than the flat you will get and less appropriate for study.

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Saddle up in Dublin

BY B. TROPE 

Newly arrived international students to DCU can find deciphering the public transport system in Dublin a maddingly frustrating experience.  If you have arrived to Ireland from a home which can boast sleek modes of public transport which invariably arrive on time, brace yourself.

Looking for a greener option? by B. Trope

The primary mode of public transportation utilized by Dubliners and students of DCU alike is Dublin Bus.  Travelling by Dublin Bus is a minefield of near misses, long waits, and double (indeed sometimes triple) arrivals of the same bus number, all the while orchestrated over by a timetable which at best works under the principle of ‘guesstimation’ and at worst seems to invoke the principle of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

The Dublin Bike Scheme offers another viable alternative and one which is gathering momentum with the passing of time.  Overlooking the obvious environmental benefit accrued, students will be attracted by the triumvirate of its ease of use, affordability and speed.

The Long Term Hire Card comes in at an attractive ten euro for one whole year subscription while a short term possibility is also available with a three day ticket costing two euro.  Significantly, the first thirty minutes of use is free, as Dublin is a compact city you should reach your destination within this time period.  After this initial free period a charge of approximately fifty cent per hour is charged to your account.

Dublin Bikes are relatively uncomplicated to use, simply log in at the bike station terminal with your pin number (given to you when you purchase both long term, and short term tickets), select your bike, remove it and you are ready to go!

Terminal and Bike by B. Trope

There are currently forty four bike stations scattered across the city centre, which raises the issue of its suitability for DCU students as there are no stations located within the hinterlands of the campus.  Nevertheless it is just a matter of time before this concern is rectified as the National Transport Authority has awarded the Dublin City Council half a million euro to further the network after its initial success.  As result the City Council has aimed to increase the number of stations to three hundred.

In its current guise perhaps Dublin Bikes best serves DCU students who live near the campus with a means of exploring roaming places of interest such as Phoenix Park or, for students who reside within the confines of the city centre it offer a viable alternative to the dreaded Dublin Bus! 

If saddling up with Dublin Bikes sounds like it might be up your street then you should bear the following details in mind before you take the plunge. You should take the time to adjust your saddle before you begin your journey ensuring that your feet can reach the ground with ease when you are slowing or stopping, while simultaneously making certain that your legs are not going to be fully extended while cycling. While this might seem to be stating the obvious, taking that extra moment from the outset can prevent backache and a stop-start journey as you pause to adjust and re-adjust your saddle.    

In today’s media and technological ubiquitous society resisting the temptation to cycle with your earphones in could save you from serious injury as drowning out the hum of passing traffic comes at a great risk.  As the cycle lanes of Dublin do not quite match up to the high standards of say our Dutch neighbours, you will need to keep your wits about you as you navigate your way around the city. Indeed, if you are an inexperienced cyclist, or just inexperienced cycling on the ‘opposite side’ of the road, it’s probably a good idea to get to grips with your new bicycle on the less busy roads of the capital first. 

Perhaps the most essential issue is the use of a cycling helmet. While it is not strictly a legal requirement to wear a safety helmet in Ireland you are strongly advised to do so. Splashing out a little extra on this vital piece of equipment will give you peace of mind, and who knows your new look may even grow you and become a fashion statement! 

Dublin Bikes Station by B. Trope

If you would like to explore the greater beyonds of the city boundary, or indeed if you would just like the increased flexibility of your own personal bicycle you could pick one up for under the two hundred euro mark second hand.  Some retailers offer to repurchase bicycles from Erasmus students for fifty per cent of what the student paid for it.  You can view some of these offers online here , while alternatively if you would rather drop in to a shop and view your bicycle ‘in the flesh’ before you make the purchase, Rothar located on the North side of the city offers a wide range to chose from.  Just don’t forget to purchase another cycling essential needed for Dublin....a solid lock!

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The Inter Faith Centre: A home away from home

BY B. SIEJA, F. BENDER, A. INHARJANTO 

DCU does its best to help and support new international students. DCU wants you to feel welcome, safe and happy therefore it offers many facilities across campus to reduce your stress and make you feel more at home. One of those places is located at the heart of the campus, the Inter Faith Centre. It’s cosy, it’s quiet and everybody is welcome.

Joe and Susan welcome everyone
by B. Sieja, F. Bender and A. Inharjanto

Joe and Susan Jones, the Chaplains in the Inter Faith Centre are looking after students' spiritual and religious needs. We asked Joe why he thinks students come to the Centre and this is what he told us: “Often it is to meet their friends over a cup of tea and some small groups use the meeting room for project work or even use the piano. We like to think that the Centre is a place of welcome for people of all faiths and none. Our logo for the Chaplaincy leaves one empty space for this particular reason to highlight to all that you don’t have to have a faith to come in and use the space.” We asked Susan if she thinks that the Centre is favoured by international students and she said: “Most of the students who come in for tea and to use the Muslim prayer rooms are international students’.

We go to the Centre quite often; on a bad rainy day, when we’re down, when we’re a bit lonely, when we want to pray or gather our thoughts, sometimes just to read a book or newspaper, often to chat with our friends. Joe and Susan “endeavour to create a homely atmosphere in the Inter Faith Centre” and that homely atmosphere gives us comfort, a sense of familiarity and belonging. We noticed how often in the Centre, over a cup of tea, students start talking to each other despite the fact that they come from different religious backgrounds, are studying different things and have never met before. This communication is what the Centre is all about.

We asked Joe about it and he told us: “Everything we do is helping us to make DCU one community/family, enabling us to move forward in mutual respect and harmony with dignity afforded to everyone who enters.” We also asked Susan about it and she told us: ”If you take the number of people who visit the Centre and see how people of different faith or no faith traditions chat and have a laugh with each other, and yet respect that people will slip into the prayer rooms to pray, and see how people offer each other support in relation to many issues, yes one gets a sense of the family of DCU.”

The Inter Faith Centre by B. Vysoky

The Centre is a welcoming place for students who have problems of any kind. The Chaplains are approachable for everybody who feels the need to talk to someone. Joe explained to us: “They come with many different needs and many questions at different levels; these can be personal or related to their studies or their own spiritual development.” Students, who are far away from home, might turn to the Centre when experiencing difficult times. For instance, when we have to cope with the loss of a family member, we can seek support in the Centre where the Chaplains would guide and accompany us during our time of grief. Apart from offering a helping hand in hard times, the members of the Centre are also there just to listen to us. Susan told us: “Many students are not aware that pastoral care is a very important aspect of Chaplaincy, that non-judgemental listening and support is part of our role.” Students are always welcome to just drop in and talk about whatever is on their mind. The Centre aims to be a place of open doors and open ears.

Apart from offering support in difficult times, the Inter Faith Centre is also very much involved in various events that take place on and off campus. When we asked Joe about the relationship between the Centre and the International Office he replied: ”Until recently the International Office was under the Student Support & Development so we all worked together very well. We have organised events like the Host Family Project when local families hosted students from foreign lands to give them a taste of Irish family life and culture.” The Centre also started the DCU Failte Programme. This programme offers trips to different places of interest in Ireland in order for us to learn more about Irish culture and heritage.

Logo used in the Centre by F. Bender

Besides the Christian or inter-faith services held by the Centre, there are also informative talks that explain spiritual topics. Susan told us: “At the moment we have the Talking Heads Programme which is done in conjunction with the Students Union and the School of Communication. This is where the leaders of the main religions in Dublin are interviewed by students.” There is also the Alpha course which is for anyone who would like to learn more about Christianity in particular. The Inter Faith Centre is therefore not only a place where we can go to worship but also a starting point for everybody who is interested in learning more about various religions. It is, however, not only the spiritual journey that could have its roots in the Centre, but also the exploration of Ireland, its culture and especially its people.

Irish hospitality and friendliness are well known around the world. Joe and Susan exercise those traits everyday through their creative projects for students carried out inside and outside the Centre. It is good to know we have so much support from people so deeply dedicated to their work. Our respect and gratitude for this place and the fond memories of events and moments spent in the Inter Faith Centre are a huge part of our college experience.

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Getting around

BY F. BENDER

One of the first problems new students face when they arrive at Dublin Airport is how to get to where they want to go. It is not easy to find your way around an unfamiliar town but with a little preparation you will quickly get the hang of it.

There are three public transport systems in Dublin: 

• The Luas
• The DART
• Dublin Bus

The Luas by B. Vysoky

The Luas is a tram that runs on two lines: the Red and the Green line. It is an easy and straightforward way to get from the city centre to various suburbs of Dublin. But, because it only runs on two lines, the connection is limited. If you live in Tallaght, the Luas would be an easy option for you to get into town. Also, if you live in one of the Southern suburbs like Sandyford, the Luas is definitely the way to go. Once you have reached the city centre though (St.Stephen’s Green or Abbey Street), you will have to either walk or take a bus to go any further.  

Tickets: There are several different student tickets available (weekly or monthly). It is best to check out their web page for further information.

 

The DART by B. Vysoky

The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the Irish Rail’s  transport system that connects the coastal suburbs with the city centre. This option is faster than the Luas or the Bus but also limited. It is suitable for people who live outside Dublin and where a bus would take too long. Also, the DART does not get you to DCU, which means you would have to continue your journey by bus. Therefore, you would not only need a ticket for the DART but also for whichever additional transport system you choose then.

Tickets: The Irish Rail have various weekly or monthly ticket offers for students.

It all leads to the inevitable: Dublin Bus. This is probably the easiest way to get around. You will see the yellow buses all over town and once you figured this system out, it is the quickest and simplest option as it connects almost every corner of the city. Due to the fact that you might have to use several buses to get to your destination, it is probably worth considering getting one of the many student tickets as listed below. This way, you won’t have to pay for each and every single fare. Instead, you pay a fixed price and once you have scanned the ticket on your first fare, every following one this day is included. This is especially handy for those of you who live a bit further away and who need to change buses in order to get to college.

Tickets: You can buy a ticket from the driver as soon as you have entered the bus or you can go for one of the various student options:

The Dublin Bus by B. Vysoky

• 5 Day Rambler €17.20
• 30 Day Rambler €86.00
• Student 7 Day Bus and Luas €26.30
• Student 30 Day Bus and Luas €92.50
• Student Monthly Short Hop €102.00 (One calendar month on Dublin bus and DART system)

Make sure to keep checking the current fare prices as they are subject to change and get increased on a regular basis.

Please note that you will always need a valid Student Travelcard in order to buy a student ticket for either the Luas, the DART or Bus.  You can get the card in the student unions office on campus. All you need is a photo and € 15,-. If you can’t present your Travelcard when the ticket inspectors asks for it, you might get charged a fine of € 50,-. With the Travelcard you can also get some discounts. For example in Boots, McDonalds, AIB, Costa, meteor, Xtra-vision, TOPSHOP, Champion, GAA 

A new ticket option is the Leap Card. This is a card that you can top-up and which can be used on the bus, the DART and the Luas. The best thing about this card is the fact that it covers all of the three systems. You can get the card in the Dublin Bus Headquarter on at O’Connell street. All you need to do is top it up with €5,- and pay a refundable €5,- for the card, then you are ready to go. Once your money has run out, you can top it up in various places all over town. Watch out for the Leap Card sign in your local newsagent.

Tips for smooth sailing

• If you don’t hold out your hand when waiting at the bus stop the driver will keep going
• If you don’t have a ticket and have to buy one from the driver: queue on the left -  If you have one of the prepaid student tickets: queue and enter the bus on the right
• When you leave the bus, say ‘thank you’ or other thankful expressions to the driver
• Dublin Bus has an App that is very handy. Each bus stop has a number that you can type into your phone to see when the next bus is coming (Dublin Bus App)
• Don’t rely on the timetables. Sometimes, there is no bus for ages and then you will have three in a row. Just take the unpredictable departure times into consideration whenever you are planning a trip.
• Don’t forget to scan your ticket when entering the bus. When it was successful you will hear a long beeping sound as one day is being deducted off your card.
• Make sure you know where you need to get off as there is no stop announcement on the bus.
• Press the ‘stop’ button to let the driver know that you want to get off the bus. If you don’t do that the driver will continue driving.

If you want to travel outside Dublin, you can either take the train or BusEireann. Bus Eireann has its own main bus station called Busáras. It is located close to the Liffey on the North side of Dublin. The next train station is Connolly but you can also get there by bus or the Red Luas line. The buses also depart from Heuston station, which is the other big train and bus station in Dublin. It is located in the West of the city. From there, you can take buses to anywhere in the country. They also offer tickets at student rates so make sure you have a valid student ID when travelling.

Last but not least, as an international student you will find yourself traveling to the airport quite a bit so knowing about the transport opportunities is vital. Apart from Dublin Bus you can get there with one of the shuttle buses:

Aircoach is a bus service that operates every day for 24 hours, which is handy if you have an early or late flight.

Airlink connects train and bus stations as well as other parts of the city centre with the airport.

Urbus links the northern suburbs with the airport.

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