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As a parent of a student who is considering studying abroad at the University of Limerick, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about this experience. We have compiled the information on this page specifically to address questions that you, as a parent, may have. We also encourage you to browse other sections of the website with your son or daughter.

What are the advantages of studying abroad?

  • Promotes greater confidence, independence and self-sufficiency
  • Gives students an opportunity to see parts of the world and meet people whom they might otherwise never meet
  • Helps students gain in-depth exposure to another culture in a way that cannot be accomplished on a vacation or holiday
  • Exposes students to new ways of learning and studying

 

Why should your son or daughter study at UL?

We offer:

  • a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
  • a good student-lecturer ratio with small tutorial groups
  • individual student advisors
  • on-campus accommodation
  • integrated internship for all full-time undergraduate students
  • excellent support network through the International Office and other support services at UL

What should I know about health and safety?

During orientation, we advise students on the best ways of staying safe and provide them with lots of useful information, including contact details in the unlikely event of an emergency and details of the various support services available to them. We also advise students of the importance of responsible behaviour, especially with regard to alcohol consumption. Please note that the legal age for the consumption of alcohol in Ireland (as in the rest of the European Union) is 18.

Students are asked to check in regularly with their family by phone or e-mail. Students are given an emergency cell phone (mobile phone) number, which they can dial in the event of an emergency. It is answered by a member of the International Education Division during office hours and is diverted to campus security in the evenings and at weekends.

There is a landline in all on-campus apartments. In addition, cell phones (mobile phones) are quite inexpensive in Ireland and most students use these to keep in contact. For many parents, simply knowing that they can reach their son or daughter at any time, day or night, reduces anxiety considerably. In the event that you cannot reach your son or daughter, please contact the International Education Division.

How can I be most supportive?

Parents play a very important role in helping students to prepare for studying abroad and in supporting them while they are away and after they return home. We provide students with a pre-arrival pack that outlines all the things they need to be aware of and/or bring with them to Ireland. The pack contains very important and useful information, which you may wish to go through with your son or daughter prior to their departure.

Please note that we send this information to the student, the International Program Office or the agent, depending on the agreement we have with the School/College/Agency. If your son or daughter does not receive a pre-arrival pack, please contact this office at international@ul.ie.


Prior to departure:

  • Take a look at the pre-arrival pack with your son or daughter so that you understand both what has been provided and what is expected of them prior to departure.
  • Encourage your son or daughter to be proactive in their pre-departure preparations. Students sometimes have a tendency to leave preparations to the last minute, which often ends up causing them a lot of stress and hassle. Be supportive of their feelings and reactions to their new environment, but try to keep an open mind when they report on living conditions or the city, especially in the first few days when they are likely to be overtired and suffering from jet lag.
  • Keep in touch with your son or daughter on a regular basis for your own peace of mind. We recommend a phone call or a couple of email messages per week.
  • Encourage your son or daughter to make the most of their experience abroad by getting involved in campus life at UL. Joining one of the many clubs or societies is a good way to start this.
  • Be aware that just as a student goes through a period of adjustment at the start of their time abroad, many go through a similar, difficult period of "re-adjustment" when returning home. We provide an orientation programme before the start of each semester for all international students. We also provide a re-entry/pre-departure session for short-stay students (Study Abroad) prior to their departure from UL. It is compulsory for your son or daughter to attend both sessions.
  • Please understand that if your son or daughter has had a full experience living and learning overseas, they will have changed to some extent and may have difficulty returning to old routines.

How will I stay informed/get in touch?

If you wish to get in touch with your son or daughter or have any questions about the programme, you can contact staff at the International Office by telephone or email. We encourage students to stay in regular contact with their parents by telephone and email. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Tel: +353-61-202414
Fax:+353-61-213062
Email: international@ul.ie