Limerick was a beautiful, welcoming city where I never felt like I was truly on my own. The University of Limerick was the same way— and full of new experiences, challenges, and people who played a huge part in my study abroad experience. I met amazing friends, found ways to get involved, and had the opportunity to see some amazing sights around Ireland. I quickly found my footing in Ireland and used the experience as an opportunity to greatly increase my independence. I feel as if, thanks to this program, I changed so much for the better in such a short period of time. I would 100% recommend!

Not only do the program coordinators make you feel comfortable, the people that assisted me from day one to even today, several months after leaving Ireland, make it their priority to help each and every student so they have the best time abroad. The academics at UL were top notch and it felt like there were hundreds of clubs and organizations on campus to join! I ended up playing rugby for UL and my previous experience playing didn't matter, they want everyone to play, no matter their skill set! Regardless of the anxiety I felt before leaving for Ireland and coming home, I knew I was in good hands. The onsite coordinator, John, is the BEST person for the job. He is absolutely delightful and has so much knowledge about traveling to other countries in Europe and throughout Ireland. I honestly was worried about studying abroad because of my financial situation, however, the staff at CIS Abroad assisted me in figuring out how to fund my study abroad experience. AND!!! I was able to receive scholarships from them!

I absolutely loved my time abroad and I would recommend CIS to anyone going abroad. I was really nervous to go abroad because I didn't know anyone and it was a new place, but I am so glad that I did and so glad that I went out of my comfort shell. We had a point of contact we could always text for any reason, he took us out for free meals all the time, and we did about 2-3 weekend trips around Ireland where everything was included. It was very helpful to have a local as a contact point if we were ever lost or needed help with something. The trips that we went on were so much fun and I met some of my closest friends within the CIS program. We all got along and were like one big family. CIS definitely exceeded my expectations and I will never forget the experience I had.

My semester in Limerick was absolutely amazing, I have so many memories that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I, like others, was nervous about going abroad, but the support I received both before and during my program was outstanding. CIS Abroad really makes sure that you are doing ok, and checks in often. If I ever needed anything, I didn't hesitate to ask! I am so happy that I chose the Limerick program because it was a more authentic experience in my book. Don't get me wrong, Dublin was really cool, but I personally liked being in a smaller city. I felt like I could really connect with the locals. The University of Limerick was great, I really loved all of my classes. It was a little confusing at first because the Irish education system is a bit different than that of America, but I got the hang of it pretty quick! The awesome thing about being an international student at UL is that you get several weeks to try out your classes before registering for them. I liked this because I could go to a few that I was unsure about to see how I felt before committing to them. There are also a lot of opportunities, both with CIS Abroad and the University, to travel around Ireland. Let's face it, while it is so tempting to start traveling to other European countries right away (although I highly recommend you do) it is nice to get to know your country as well. CIS Abroad has onsite directors that organize meals and excursions around Ireland, so you get an insiders look at the beautiful country. I loved that these excursions were an option for us, because it allowed me to see Ireland while taking away the stress of planning the trip. Overall, this was an amazing program, and I wish I could have stayed longer!

I LOVED my abroad program with CISabroad in Limerick. They set us up in some of the best housing on campus, had monthly excursions outside of our own personal traveling experiences, and our program adviser (John Hayes) was always on call for emergencies. I wound up in the hospital during my time abroad and he was always checking in on me and really cared about my well-being. He also brought us into the city to help us buy linens, advised us on how to navigate the bus system, and helped us set up phone plans during our stay. Through the program, I've made life-long friends that I talk to all the time (I actually just visited them this past weekend). Traveling to a foreign country can be a little intimidating, especially if you're going for several months. I never felt like the program would leave me without a safety net. They also helped make the immigration and visa process painless. I had friends who had used other programs in other countries who struggled to get visas on time; that was never a concern for me because CISabroad made it so easy.
My time in Limerick was some of the best months of my life and I know the program had something to do with it. I wouldn't have gone to Northern Ireland for a weekend, and I wouldn't have made the friends I have now without CISabroad. I'm incredibly thankful for being able to be a part of the program, and I recommend it to everyone I know.

I didn't know how much I needed to go to Limerick until I got there. Originally, I had thought that I wanted to study abroad in England, but I changed my mind because this program sounded better than the one my school offered in England. I am so happy that I changed my program and studied with CISAbroad at the University of Limerick. UL is the perfect size, and there are so many student organizations that you can join, it's so easy to feel involved on campus! I got to live with students from all over Europe, take classes with Irish and International students, and explore Ireland. CISAbroad was attentive and helped me adjust to Ireland, and I always had someone to ask questions to when I needed help. I would absolutely recomend studying through CISAbroad at Limerick!

While Limerick wasn't actually my first choice of places to study abroad, it ended up being absolutely perfect for me. The school was incredibly inclusive of study abroad students and instantly made me feel at home there. The city center wasn't far from where I was living on campus. There were several times when I would have a free day, that I would head into the city and just explore what was there. It was a small enough city that I never felt overwhelmed or lost, but it was big enough that I always found something new. I always felt safe and comfortable there. The people are also incredibly friendly, random strangers would start conversations with me, often just to see how my day was going. I can't wait to go back!

I'm sure you've heard this about Ireland's people before, but I'm going to tell you anyway: they are the sweetest, most nurturing, humble people. I had a great experience traveling with CIS. We had an on-site coordinator, John, who made sure we were acclimating well and gave us the inside scoop about places we visited. John also brought me groceries when I became too sick to leave my apartment. That leads me into my next point...I paid an overnight visit to the Limerick Hospital, where I was, again, treated so very kindly. All of the other patients in the ER kept referring to me as "pet" (a sweet term of endearment for someone younger) and had doctors that truly wanted to make me more comfortable.

I didn't end up in the hospital until later in the semester so I had a good three months of fun. I was placed in an apartment with one other American student and three Irish students--a perfect mix. We all had our own rooms and I lucked out with a giant handicapped accessible room complete with a bathroom bigger than my room at home! It made being away from home much easier because I was so comfortable. This made me ready to explore the city I was ready to call my home for four months.

From touring Limerick's milk market, river trails, and King John's castle, there was always something to do on the weekends or after class. In the evenings, Icon night club and Smyth's bar were good options for an exciting night out. For a more relaxing atmosphere, I always chose Curragower's, where the beer and cider choices were unique and the food fantastic.

When I wasn't trying new beer or exploring, I enjoyed my journalism, gothic literature, and Irish folklore classes. Professors are very intrigued with their subject matter and never give a dull lecture. The set up of lectures and tutorials allowed students to have more one-on-one time with professors and get to know fellow students better.

If you're looking for a smaller city with tons to do and an amazing university, go to Limerick. It's a hidden gem in Ireland, among all of the more touristy, well-known spots like Dublin. However, places like Dublin, Galway, and Kilkenny are only a short bus drive away on Paddywagon tours. PLEASE choose a semester in Limerick! You won't regret it.