Study Abroad Resources

• Avoid packing too many clothes. Remember: each Talbot Suites apartment has a clothes washer and dryer. Should you find yourself in need of something extra, many shops in Wexford Town sell clothing at good prices.
• Plan to wear layers. Irish weather tends to blow in and out quickly. Conditions can change from showers to sunshine and from cool to warm in a matter of hours. In County Wexford in March, the average high is 51°. In July the average high is 65°. Bring one dressier outfit for going out and/or meeting high-level politicians, business people, and the like. Students taking courses from the Parker College of Business must pack at least one business-casual outfit. If you intend to use the free gym facilities, pack appropriate workout gear. Use of a swim hat is mandatory in the facility’s pool.
• You will do a lot of walking in Ireland. Bring strong but comfortable walking shoes, preferably waterproof. For Honors College Global Scholars students studying sustainability in agriculture, Wellington boots constitute a great choice for visits to farms and agricultural-research stations.
• During your time in Ireland, you act as an ambassador for Georgia Southern University. Your clothing, demeanor, words, and actions should reflect the standards of Eagle Nation. Under no circumstances should you wear apparel that promotes a school, college, or university other than Georgia Southern. Similarly, you should not bring items that display the logos of non-Georgia Southern sports teams; external organizations (e.g., a sorority or fraternity, a band, a business); or an external cause or event (e.g., Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Savannah). Exceptions are: (a) plain clothing with minimal manufacturer/brand identification marks; (b) Wexford-specific clothing, such as purple-and-gold Wexford GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) gear. Please pack at least two items of clothing that promote Georgia Southern.For certain activities, the program will require you to wear Georgia Southern apparel.

As  participants in a Wexford Campus program, students are obligated to join a program-specific WhatsApp group. WhatsApp provides a free, encrypted, international means of communicating.

• Credit Cards: like most Western European countries, Ireland uses the Euro currency. However, Northern Ireland uses the British pound. Use cash sparingly given that most Irish retailers accept US Visa and MasterCard credit cards. American Express and Discover are less frequently accepted. Ideally, bring  a US Visa or MasterCard that does not impose a foreign transaction fee (FTF) on purchases made in Ireland.
• Obtaining Euro Cash: avoid purchasing Euro cash at an airport money-exchange counter given the high fees. A better strategy is to either order euros from your US bank before departure or use your US debit card (Visa or MasterCard) while in Ireland to withdraw Euro cash from an ATM operated by either Bank of Ireland or Allied Irish Banks.

In Wexford, the cost of living is roughly the same as in Coastal Georgia, and having a fully equipped kitchen in your Talbot Suites apartment allows you to save money on restaurants. The Wexford program takes care of many in-country expenses: group airport pick-ups and drop-offs; all program-related transportation; all admission and guide charges for Educational Field Experiences; all speaker fees; the welcome and farewell meals; and health insurance.

Even so, our study abroad program is a great opportunity for Georgia Southern students to practice following a personal budget. Students will need to budget for groceries, non-program travel, personal recreation, and incidentals, but little more. On certain weekends and even on some weekday evenings, every program attempts to offer low-cost, faculty-led recreational opportunities.

All Georgia Southern students must observe the buddy system and keep company with at least one or (preferably) two or more other Georgia Southern students. The buddy system also applies to any in-county or out-of-country travel undertaken independently. Irrespective of all other considerations, independent travel must be pre-approved by the program director and the director of the university’s Office of Global Engagement. A single, straightforward application form is available, which the prospective travelers can submit jointly. The form captures such details as transportation, accommodation, and itinerary. Should parents or legal guardians be visiting, the program can waive the buddy requirement; however, permission must be negotiated with the program director, giving at least seven days’ notice.