Budgeting for Dingle
As you approach your study abroad experience, it is very important you plan ahead and create a budget for your experience. This helps create realistic financial expectations. The first step in setting up your budget for your time at SHU in Dingle will be to determine how much money you will have available to you, then you will need to determine the estimated cost for the program.
Be realistic or even generous with your estimates. Use your current spending habits to estimate your future needs. When you are abroad there will most likely be more things you will want to do, such as travel and more things you will want to buy than you originally anticipated.
You should keep in mind both the cost of living in Ireland and the exchange rate on the euro. Visit XE or Oanda to see current exchange rates worldwide.
Global Ambassadors, former program participants, can also provide you very good information about how much to budget, unexpected expenses, and how to save.
The sample budget sheets provided below include costs that will be billed by SHU in Dingle and estimates of other costs you will pay including books, travel documents, flights, personal travel, and other activities.
Semester Budget
| Budget Item | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Program Fee |
$6,900 |
|
Study Abroad Fee |
$450 |
|
Semester Tuition 23/24 |
$24,080 |
|
Billable subtotal: |
$31,435
|
|
Estimated Books and Supplies |
$200
|
|
Estimated Entry Visa Fees |
$350 |
|
Estimated Personal Expenses |
$2,000
|
|
Estimated International Airfare |
$900
|
|
Non-billable subtotal: |
$3,450
|
|
TOTAL |
$34,885
|
Nursing and Biology Majors also need to budget for Lab and other course-related fees. Please the Fees section for more information.
Short-term Budget
| Budget Item | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Program Fee |
$1,975 |
|
Study Abroad Fee |
$115 |
|
Short-term Tuition 23/24 |
$1,950 |
|
Billable subtotal: |
$4,040 |
|
Estimated Books and Supplies |
$75
|
|
Estimated Additional Meals |
$400
|
|
Estimated Personal Expenses |
$500
|
|
Estimated International Airfare |
$1,100
|
|
Non-billable subtotal: |
$2,075
|
|
TOTAL |
$6,115
|
*Graduate 3-credit tuition rate is charged at the individual program rate. Verify your program’s rate.
Packing
Packing can be a very stressful process and it may be especially challenging if you plan to study abroad for a semester. You may want to have as many comforts abroad as you have at home. However, part of the reason you are going abroad is to step out of your comfort zone. Therefore, you should be prepared to make do with fewer things. It is important to remember that not only will the airline have a baggage limit, but you will also have a limited amount of space at your residence, so you need to take all these factors into account while packing.
A little bit of research will go a long way to helping you pack. You should research what the weather will be like when you are studying in Ireland, so you can plan ahead and save yourself the hassle and expense of needing to purchase more appropriate clothing after arrival. You should also research what activities and trips you will be taking part in. Global Ambassadors can also provide you with very good advice about packing strategies.
Below are some recommendations of what to pack where, what to leave behind, and what to buy abroad. This list is not 100% inclusive
Carry-on Luggage
- Passport
- Tickets
- A copy of your acceptance letter
- Credit cards, debit cards and cash
- Any other official documentation
- Prescription medicine
- Glasses/Contact lenses
- Laptop computer
- Cell phone charger
- Reading Material
- Snacks
- Earphones
- A change of clothes and necessary toiletries in case of flight delay/cancellation/lost luggage
Commercial airlines have regulations regarding what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on luggage. Sharp items like razors and nail files, and liquids/aerosols over 100ml are banned in carry-on luggage. Please check the airline website for further details
Checked Luggage
- Consider variations in weather through the duration of your program. Ireland can be quite a wet place therefore make sure to bring a selection of warm, fast drying, and waterproof clothing
- Ireland can also be a warm place. It is recommended to bring clothes that can be layered.
- Bring durable clothing that can be easily cared for / laundered.
- Consider whether you will be doing anything as part of your program that will require certain clothing, field work, other outdoor activities, formal dining etc.
- A general recommendation is to pack enough clothing to last about two weeks without doing laundry. Bring items that can be easily mixed and matched into many different outfits and dressed up or dressed down as needed.
- Pack comfortable, everyday shoes for walking. You will walk much more each day than you normally do.
- It is a good idea to have water-resistant shoes.
- You may want to bring one or two other pairs of shoes for dressier occasions.
- If you plan to play a sport or use a gym, bring sneakers.
Don’t forget to place identification tags with the your contact information, on both the outside and inside of the checked bag
Leave at Home
- Anything you would regret losing; anything that has sentimental value, is expensive/meaningful or that cannot be replaced.
- You should not bring any appliances that generate heat (blow dryer, straightener, curling irons etc). Due to the need for a power converter and plug adaptor, it is best to purchase these items in Ireland, if they are necessary.
- Everyday toiletries. You can buy many inexpensive items, such as soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc when you arrive in Ireland.
Luggage Allowance
Check with your airline for information regarding weight and size restrictions and additional fees.
If you book the group flight for the semester or short-term program, the fare includes 1 checked piece of luggage of up to 50lbs. The size of the luggage must not exceed 62 inches (L+W+H).
The fare also includes 1 piece carry on allowance
Maximum weight: 10kg (22lb)
Maximum size:
Height: 55cm (21.5″)
Width: 40cm (15.5″)
Length: 24cm (9.5″)
You can also bring one small personal item, e.g. small handbag, laptop bag with a maximum size:
Height: 25cm (10″)
Width: 33cm (13″)
Length: 20cm (8″)
Electric converter/transformer and adapter
Please note that Ireland has outlets that are shaped differently than U.S. outlets, and also have a different standard electrical current. For Ireland, the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. The electrical current is 220 volts.
A converter/transformer converts the current so that your U.S. devices can run safely and are not damaged. Failure to use a converter/transformer can result in serious damage to a device . Most laptops and some other devices are able to run on both the U.S. current (110 volts) and Irish currents (220 volts).
An adapter allows you to fit the plug from your U.S. devices (Type A & B) into outlets that are not the same shape. It does not convert the current.
Depending on the device, you may need to use just the adapter, or the adapter in combination with the converter/transformer.
Don’t forget to place identification tags with the your contact information, on both the outside and inside of the checked bag
Housing
Housing is included as part of your study abroad program fees.
Semester Accomodation
While staying in Dingle for a semester, you will live in Glor na hAbhann, fully furnished townhouse-style residences, just a ten-minute walk from the SHU campuses and a short walk to grocery stores, tourist attractions, restaurants, and other amenities.
They are spacious with contemporary furnishings and all modern conveniences. Each residence includes a four bedrooms (three doubles and one single) fully appointed kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, fireplace, flat screen tv, and Wi-Fi. The houses are located in a quiet and safe location.
Features
• Wi-Fi
• Linen Provided
• Towels Provided
• Television & DVD Player
• Cooker 4 Ring Hob
• Central heating
• Microwave
• Washer/Dryer
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Private Garden
• Patio Area
• Patio Furniture
Short term Housing
While staying in Dingle for a short-term sessions, you will be housed in Glor na Habhann or Dingle Marina Cottages, depending on where your classes are based.
Dingle Marina Cottages are fully furnished residences, located just a fifteen-minute walk from the SHU campuses and a short walk to grocery stores, tourist attractions, restaurants, and other amenities. These houses are close to Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium and Dingle Harbor.
Each residence includes a three bedrooms (two doubles and one single), a fully appointed kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, fireplace, flat screen tv, and Wi-Fi. The houses are located in a quiet and safe location.
Features
• Wi-Fi
• Linen Provided
• Towels Provided
• Television
• Cooker 4 Ring Hob
• Central heating
• Microwave
• Washer/Dryer
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Private Garden
• Patio Area
• Patio Furniture
