Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is a breathtaking country with many unique traits and characteristics that make it an appealing travel spot for many different occasions. One very popular reason to travel to Ireland is to study abroad. Because of the lengthy amount of time that students spend in Ireland for a study abroad program, it is important that they learn some things about the country itself, the food, the current political climate, the Irish sentiment towards Americans, the religions, and the customs. This may seem like a lot to take in, but taking the time to learn about the destination makes the trip a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling in the end. Ireland is located off the coast of England, and it was actually under the rule of the British monarchy for a large part of its existence. The Republic of Ireland shares the island with Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a predominantly Protestant country, and it is well known that Ireland is predominantly Catholic, so this difference has been the source of a lot of fighting and unrest between the neighboring countries. Although this is not currently a major issue, it is something to keep in mind while living in Ireland. Dublin is the largest city by far in the Republic, and the next largest city is Cork. Irish (Gaelic) and English are the official languages of Ireland, but even with an emphasis on the Irish language in schools, the English language is still dominant across the country, so students do not have to worry about a language barrier when they arrive. One of the biggest questions that students might be asking when planning to study abroad in Ireland is what they should expect in terms of weather and topography. The island has a temperate maritime climate. This means that it has mild winters, cool summers, and lots of rain, so warmer clothes and ponchos or umbrellas are a must. In addition, the