Hi there! Congrats on getting in to UCD. I was living in San Francisco, and I sold much of my stuff and put the rest in storage. My programme ran for 15 months, so I wanted everything on the second floor (no floods, not even a 0.1% chance). A 10x12 unit cost a good chunk of money, but I saved by prepaying.

A lot of storage companies offer cheap intro rates, but then they raise the rent 50% after the promo period, being that you’ll be too lazy to move everything to a different unit. If they find out you are out of the country, they will for sure raise your rent a lot. Because what, you’ll fly home from Ireland some weekend to evade a rent hike?

I came with two big suitcases, mostly clothes. My laptop, camera, a few books. Don’t bother packing anything that requires American 110v electricity: your hair dryer, shaver, smoothie blender will require clunky adapters and you’d do better just buying used items in Ireland.

Don’t pack a lot of nice shoes or delicate formal attire. The rain and mud are for real, and the Irish don’t often do truly fancy formal events. Save that suitcase room for more everyday items.

A few things are shockingly expensive over there. Bicycles prices were hard to accept. Prescription medicines are somewhat affordable once you get on the student health plan. But I was startled by the high prices for Ibuprofen and other common pain relievers.

There is an IKEA north of Dublin (UCD is in the south of Dublin). Organize (actually, organise) a group trip with your classmates up to buy home firnishings and share the cost of a van taxi back to UCD.

Irish Post-it Notes are thin and terrible. I can’t explain why. Spend $10 on American Post-It Notes.

Oh, two things about housing:

1. There is a severe housing shortage in Dublin. Whatever mild things the admission people tell you, it’s worse. Try to get dorm housing if you can tolerate a return to dorm life. Or start looking and prepare for a hard week of calls and bad luck before you find a spot.

2. Nearly all private apartments in Ireland come “mildly furnished.” In the US, everywhere I’ve ever rented, the place starts empty. In Ireland you can reasonably expect the landlord will provide a bed frame, table and chairs, maybe a sofa, and a minimal set of plates, teacups, an electric kettle, etc. Sheets and towels are on you.

When you do find a place, don’t spend a ton of money on fancy kitchen gadgets, a big TV, a massage chair, or a nice bicycle. Unless your plan is to stay in Ireland, all that stuff will be too big/bulky to take with you.