The renowned writer James Joyce once said about Ireland: "There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't yet met."
With a whopping 36% of the population under 25, the only question is where you'll find your new friends once you've landed! It may be small, but Ireland is big on entertainment and leisure.
As a first step, find out about the societies and clubs available in your college. Staff are there to help you settle in and be happy in your studies, so don't be afraid to seek their advice on any matter.
If it's fast and furious that you want, live bands, traditional music and various festivals are literally at every crossroads. The west is fast becoming the new destination for extreme water sports, including surfing and kitesurfing, while, all around Ireland, there are facilities for almost every kind of other sport -even skiing!
If, on the other hand, you're more of a laid-back kind of person, then you're never too far from the tranquil scenery and quaint cafés of the country. In recent times, leisure cycling has taken off in a huge way, but public transport will also get you into the 'back of beyond' before you know it!
Everywhere, Ireland is full of culture and history, and each village has its own story to tell and characters to meet.
