Any person that lives in Ireland can answer this one, thanks...?

Question

I have citizenship to Ireland as my father is from Dublin and plan to relocate there within the next year or two. I am heading there shortly to visit family and check things out as I haven't visited in 12 years.

I'm currently working as a Criminal Defense Investigator in California and I'm even considering a career change to perhaps the medical industry. I'm curious as to what the costs are for a college education is, how the job market is, and how insane I am for even considering this? I've heard mixed things - that it's expensive, difficult, that it's easy...at this point I'm not too sure about Dublin as it's expensive and was considering somewhere more to the west or south.

The biggest concern I have is finding a decent job that will cover my living expenses while I go to college. Are the employment placement offices pretty efficient? Money isn't too much of a problem as I do have some financial support. And before you ask, "Why would you leave where you live?" Those reasons are my own, and my mind is set on leaving here. So don't try and talk me out of it. haha

A broad overview would be nice if someone could answer, thanks.

Answer 1

Ireland is VERY expensive. You won't get a great job as a Criminal Defense Investigator. We don't even have a murder squad. And college is VERY expensive. Its will cost about 10,000 euro a year. (minimum - and thats just college fees) Factor in cost of living, food, electricity - you would need to come over with a sizable sum.

We are in a recession at the moment, so things will be tough!

Sorry for the gloomy news!

Answer 2

If you are considering going to college in Ireland, it's a good thing you have Irish citizenship, because education in Ireland costs just a fraction of education in the US, and it's at least as good, in some cases better. I would contact the college you're thinking of attending to find out what type of fees, costs, etc., you would be incurring.

As regards finding a job, well, why don't you start looking? There are numerous job search websites available, you can start with www.fas.ie or www.recruitireland.ie, even go to the Government Jobs, but I can't remember the exact URL so you can always try google.ie, click Ireland Only and type in government jobs. Employment agencies are only efficient if you stay on their case.

Not sure what the story is with medical related jobs right now, as the HSE (Health Service Executive) is in a bit of an uproar.

12 years? Hm. Well, seeing as you're set in your head to come here, I don't suppose the crazy weather we're having will put you off. Wear a silk scarf around your neck when you come from California, you're used to steady dry heat, not the four-seasons-in-one-day weather we're currently enjoying in Ireland. And when you're looking for accommodation, make sure it's not on flood plain.  

Answer 3

i dont know how much the college fees are. i live an hour and 15 minutes from dublin. wexford is a reasonably cheap area. thats why we moved from dublin. here are some websites for u to check.

daft.ie for accomodation.

loadzajobs.ie

jobs.ie.

if u have any other queries contact me

Answer 4

Hi Conor,

I won't go back over the general details - the others have covered that end of things pretty well. I just have some advice on the study front.

Medicine and related subjects are on offer at the universities in Cork or Galway. Unfortunately, as you haven't been living here you will not be counted as an Irish resident when it comes to paying fees. The National Universities of Ireland say:

"The definition of an EU student for fee purposes:  EU nationals (i.e. holding an EU Passport/or Birth Certificate) who have been ordinarily resident in Ireland or another EU member state for at least three of the five years immediately preceding their entry to the third level course".

This means that you will have to pay non-EU fees unless you can get a scholarship. College fees vary hugely, depending on what you want to study, For a medical degree, expect to pay about 30,000 Euros per annum for six years. If you want to do a degree in something like Biomedical Science, expect to pay about 16,500 Euro per year for 3 or 4 years.

My suggestion if you can not get a scholarship would be that seeing as you have no issues with visas or citizenship, you should  consider coming to live and work here for a few years before you embark on your studies. If you do this, not only will you be eligible for fees at the EU rate, but if you get a job that pays below a certain threshold, you may also be eligible for free fees and a full maintenance grant as a mature candidate (over 23 years). I'm not 100% sure about your eligibility as you may already have a degree and I don't think you can apply for grants if you already have a degree-level qualification.

If all that does work out, the need to get a job will be much less as the grant equates to your fees and accommodation costs.

As you already have work experience you should be able to get work here handily enough, although we are facing into a recession. I'm not sure what a criminal defense investigator does, but you should at least be able to get work in one of the three staples of student work life - retail, hospitality or the call centre. Local newspapers and websites like www.irishjobs.ie are usually better than placement agencies as they don't take a commission of your wages.

I wouldn't dream of asking "why would you leave where you live" as I am aware of the problems of claustrophobia and small gene pools. The growing popularity of the year spent travelling abroad amongst young Irish people and their propensity for bringing home non-Irish partners is testament to that! And long may it continue...

Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

EDIT_____________________

I just thought of a cheat - open a bank account when you come to visit your family, get a Social Security Number, join a library and get an Irish driving licence - maybe you can establish an official life for yourself before you move here permanently - cutting down on the need to work for 3 years as I suggested above. I don't know how legal it is but it's worth a shot...

Answer 5

Well, as long as you have scholarships, you are going to do well. Some of the schools offer around 5,000 quid to international students, like Trinity in Dublin.

You and I are in the same boat and I am leaving next week to come back to Ireland. I am going over as a student after I already have a degree here in the states.

Now, it is expensive, but as one person already mentioned there is daft.ie and you can find great deals on flats to share with another person.

I'm not sure how you live now, but it really is a 180 from certain parts of America because there is a lot of walking/bus riding/taxi-taking but with daft.ie you can find a room in the city center sometimes around 300 quid a month. You save though because you don't have to pay for a car or gas or the taxes that comes with driving in dubs and the parking you have to pay for.. the list goes on. But most people furnish it and the city centre, O'Connell st. has many universities within walking distance. Plus the immigration office is located just off of it and from there the US Embassy is a 15 minute walk from the immigration office. By the way, this is in Dublin where the best universities in Ireland are located. Just be money-wise and ask questions like you are and you will be fine in Dubs, there are specific reasons why it can be expensive and sometimes it is because a person isn't knowledgeable of their resources.

Now other towns outside of Dubs are much less expensive and you can live there and take the bus to and from a town to dubs to go to a school. It is much cheaper to live in a city in wexford or in county meath like Navan. But to and from on the bus for school would be around 13 quid depending on where you are at and that is a round trip or you could get a season pass, I forgot what they call them. But if you do the figures it could be cheaper.

My school costs about 6,000 quid a year. Now because you are a citizen you'll be able to get work but make sure you write a CV or have one written for you from your resume. With good experience in your area, it will look good in many places.

I have a job and I'm not even there yet so go on jobs.ie, you will be bound to get something, there isn't a wide range but as a student you might not want tons of stress and maybe just simple work. At the very least you worked in America as a CDI, that is a great credential in itself.

You're not insane, with our own economy in the gutter and we see how.. terrible the candidates are in office, it will get you away from the stress and allow you to embrace your families culture. Ireland is a beautiful place. Be ready for the unpredictable weather and the rain! The weather isn't like Cali:P

Don't worry, you will do fine. Just make sure you get scholarships for studying abroad from America, returning to education, and at the very least if things get ridiculous there is a student loan but that is a last resort. Scholarships are handed out like candy in America for those studying at a school in another country. Plus they even give you spending money to come back and forth. You have nothing to worry about.

If you need any help or have any questions feel free to email me.

-- A. Mason

Answer 6

You say you're a Criminal Defense Investigator? Well sonny, we could do with you!

Ya see, Mickey Mulligan, our next door neighbour, has accused us of grazing our bull in his field. He says our fella has inseminated his prize herd of fresians. Now the thing is, we reckon he's only doing this to get a few quid off us. If you could come to Ballydung we'll provide you with all the evidence you need to make a case for us. We'll even supply the plastic gloves for ya.......