Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)

My experience abroad was awesome. Have chosen AIT as my option, for sure was the most right thing that I did, my choice couldn't be better!

All the time AIT support us very well, since the moment that we landed in Ireland until the sad moment that we had to leave the lovely green Island. They were always very helpful to fix any problem or any doubt, about the academic life, accommodation or any other troubles or questions that could show up. The laboratories and the teaching program say for themselves, good equipments and all of them accessible for students. Furthermore, the AIT's atmosphere is the best one! It was something really important during all the time that I lived there, because they always organized activities to socialize and promote the integration between all students, where we could show how our culture is and the same way learn about other cultures, once there are students from many countries around the world. Besides that, they also used to organize trips around Ireland, where we had the opportunity to know more about Ireland and visit beautiful and historic places.

I really miss Ireland, and If I had a chance, I would not think twice to come back!

I could say that this year in Ireland was one of the best years in my live, and Ireland is my second home now. Although Athlone is a small city, it has a lot things to do and a lot people from different countries come to study in Athlone Institute of Technology, what makes that experience of living abroad even better. You meet people from entire world, with different cultures, different lifestyle, such as China, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Turkey and many others countries.
I will not lie to you, when I was deciding to study abroad I was quite nervous, but AIT make you feel better with all support that the international office gives to you. They took care of all the documents necessary to get my accommodation and visa. Also, when I arrived in Dublin, they took me in the airport and brought me in my apartment in Athlone, believe me when I say that this make all the difference in the world after almost 24 hours travelling to a new country. They did a lot trips for us inside Ireland, so you can discover and know more about this amazing country deeply.
All the teacher were really helpful, wherever I needed them, they were easy to be found and have time to talk and help you. Other thing that I liked a lot, is that we had a lot laboratories, so we could put in practice what in were learning in class.

We could be having some good coffee while meeting in a coffeehouse, where I would spend hours telling you stories about living in Athlone. Well, it's a pity we're not, so I will try to sum things up here instead. My name is Jeovan, and I spent 16 months studying both English and engineering at AIT.

My journey started when I was given the opportunity to study at AIT. Not many people know, but if it weren't for the great support provided by AIT International Office, I would probably never had left Brazil to study overseas (thanks to Mary and Karl). As it happens, I arrived at Dublin Airport in a typical, pale grey sky afternoon, from where AIT had provided a vehicle to drive new students like me straight to our accommodation in Athlone (which I loved, by the way). It doesn't seem to be much, but after nearly one day in a flight it helped a lot!

I felt very comfortable with my first impression of the on-campus high quality facilities. In particular, I couldn't expected to see more than I saw when I visited the engineering building. Additionally, sports facilities are remarkably well offered, including the impressive AIT International Athletic Arena and a soccer standard all weather pitch in which I particularly spent most of my after class time training soccer. Nevertheless, there was always plenty of time to grab a coffee before switching from the pitch to the volleyball training session :)

Although AIT is situated in a small town, the college atmosphere is surprisingly intense, and it is very unlikely that I had one single day with nothing to do. As a matter of fact, I found myself surrounded by a multicultural friendly environment of hundreds of students from more than 40 nationalities, which I thought very easy to get along with them. Yet, sometimes I had the impression that I already knew everyone who walked towards me, but I guess that's what they call living in small towns. Anyway...

Besides, the city's strategic central location offers a lot of ways to travel around and discover other charming towns in the countryside. In fact, I had the chance to enjoy some extra leisure time besides from on-campus activities during my trips to some of the top must visit places in the island, such as The Cliffs of Moher (the most famous and breathtaking place in Ireland with a view from 214 metre high cliffs) and the Giant's Causeway (the stunning rock formations at Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site), which were all organized by the International Office (often free of charge). Not to mention that Athlone itself offers a range of water activities, such as fishing and canoeing (thanks to Lough Ree lake and River Shannon, the longest river in the country which runs right through the town), which can be a nice getaway for the weekend. Unless, of course, if you're too afraid to get into the cold water :p

As we can clearly see by now, there are so many things to do while living in Athlone and studying at AIT. From my own knowledge, I can therefore assure that being an international student at AIT is nothing less than 'Once In A Lifetime Experience!'

Thanks for reading,
Jeovan

There is nothing more rewarding than to travel and live in another country. Ireland is a place that my heart will always remember! A country of good music, cheerful and friendly people, and wonderful places. Athlone was a small representation of this beautiful country! Cozy town that provide great life quality!
Travel from Ireland to another European country is very easy and cheap, and this have to be considered when thinking to live abroad. Because of this I had the opportunity to visit more than 15 countries in one year of my exchange program and get many experiences for the rest of my life.

Coming to Ireland was one of the greatest achievements in my life and AIT was the major responsible for that lovely experience.
I came to Athlone Institute of Technology for a exchange programme studying Forensic Toxicology. What most amazed me about the course was the quality of laboratory practices, performing top scientific assays that I would not have the opportunity to study back home. Not just that... The academic life was so much fun (too much!), trips around the country (ah so many wonderful places around!), parties of all types, people from all over Europe and Asia and etc etc.
The experience was so rewarding that I actually had to come back :) I am now a post grad student in AIT <3 A new journey starts again...