NCI Blog

Brazilian Kelly went to the Gaiety's yearly Panto to see what all the fuss was about For most people, the holidays are a time to enjoy quality time with your family and friends. But for international students studying abroad, like me, it can be a bit sad being in a different country with different people at this time. But it is still possible to be happy as there are many fun things to do and the Irish are so kind and friendly. This is my experience of Christmas in Dublin.

Sri, from India, decided to stretch the legs and check out Ireland's stunning natural landscape. On a recent sunny winter’s day, I decided to take a well-deserved break during my time studying in Ireland. From Dublin it is so easy to explore the rest of Ireland - as well as the rest of Europe! I took the opportunity to experience the Irish Wicklow Mountains and their famous natural landscape. Located about 50kms from Dublin, Wicklow is full of beauty, history and cultural heritage. Wicklow is known as the ‘Hollywood of Europe’; many famous movies, including ‘Braveheart’, ‘P.S. I Love You’, ‘Excalibur’ and the ‘Vikings’ television series have been shot here. The tour guide also mentioned that Michael Jackson had spent about six months of his last years here at Wicklow as part of his therapy. You learn something new every day while studying abroad!

NCI's Digital Marketing Intern, Owen Barnes, gives you five tips that will help you quickly find great accommodation while studying abroad There are many benefits of studying in Dublin, however, in the current market the constant pursuit of student accommodation can be a bore and at times an unrelenting struggle.

NCI gives to you 6 great ideas for fun days out while you're studying in Dublin. The Pale is a funny place when you first arrive, but there are a huge amount of benefits to studying in Dublin. Firstly, it doesn't matter if you are an undergraduate student, a part of a Springboard course or studying abroad, these tips are universal.

One thing remains clear from this interview: NCI prepared Priyank to succeed in the professional world Senior MIS Analyst in Western Union is Priyank Saxenna's new job title. While his role is challenging and requires long hours, this NCI graduate is unafraid of what the future within this prestigious multi-national company holds.

There were many factors in Jamille's decision to study abroad, but some stood out more than others. “I had been to many other places, many other universities, before choosing to study in Ireland. But when I came to NCI, I knew. I just knew. I knew it was the place for me.” In our interview with Jamille, a number of factors clearly influenced her decision to leave Brazil and come to Dublin as an international student. Some of these factors were pragmatic, while some were just human. Either way, we thought detailing these factors would be helpful to Brazilian students - and other international students - who are researching colleges in Ireland and Europe, including those considering our college as part of Science Without Borders.

Do you want to start a career in Accounting and Finance? NCI can help! Stephen Harford says that accountancy found him, rather than the other way about – and he’s very happy that it did. The 21-year-old student from Balbriggan, North County Dublin, is in his final year of the BA in Business at National College of Ireland, and recently accepted a position with EY (formerly Ernst & Young) Ireland.

Student Competition #MYNCI Celebrate the start of the new semester by sharing your impressions of postgraduate and undergraduate life at NCI - it's important to know what it's like studying in Ireland! We want people in full-time courses, part-times courses, evening courses, study abroad programs, CIPD courses and all other NCI degrees or initiatives to share *your* NCI - whether that's the new people you've met, your favourite lunch spot, the views from your commute, your student apartment or the places you like to hang out.

NCI at a glance: get to know us a little better!

Dr Josephine Bleach, of the Early Learning Initiative* at NCI, offers these suggestions for making the most of the last weekend of the summer holidays. It is that time of year again. All the schools are back on Monday. Pens, pencils, copies, books and uniforms are flying out of shops as if there is no tomorrow. Just take a deep breath. Step back from it all and enjoy the last weekend of summer.