“I loved the small size of the school as well as the town - I felt very comfortable immediately. I got to know more than just the other students through this programme, which has been an enjoyable experience. I had a wonderful time.”

Liz Ryan, Summer 2000

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Student Life

As an international College we believe that studying abroad is an incomparable experience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live the life of another country, learn the customs of another culture and adapt to new surroundings. The success of a student’s experience depends to a large extent upon their own efforts to acclimatise to living and studying in a foreign country.

Ballyvaughan has a population of 400, which increases considerably during the summer months. Students coming from large cities may be struck by the stillness and unhurried pace of the area. It can be amazing how much of one’s life is taken up in traffic, noise, bustle. At B.C.A. it takes 5 minutes to get from housing to your studio - allowing for an undisturbed creative environment.
Read more on Ballyvaughan

• Going out in Ballyvaughan

Weather

Ireland, influenced by the Gulf Stream, enjoys a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 0-26ºC. Average temperatures in fall ranges from 12-15º, in winter they dip to 4-10ºC while in summer it varies between 14-26º.

If anything can be said for the Irish climate, it is unpredictable. The saying "all the seasons in one day" is particularly applicable to the West of Ireland; so don't be fooled if you wake up to blue skies in the morning - by lunchtime you could be in the middle of a rainstorm. One thing you can count on, however, is that it will rain and the only safe prediction would be to make sure you have a good waterproof jacket, leggings and waterproof gear for cycling. Wearing layers of clothing is the best idea, especially if you plan to spend the day out-of-doors. A pair of tough walking/hiking boots is essential for trekking around the Burren

Laundry

All student housing comes complete with full laundry facilities. There is also a local laundrette also situated in the Ballyvaughan village.

Aran Islands

There are daily trips to the Aran Islands (weather permitting) between April and September. This short trip from Doolin takes just 25 minutes. Further information on the Aran Islands is available from www.visitaranislands.com

Independent Travel

Students are encouraged to use Ireland as a gateway to Europe, and the advent of low-cost airlines has made this ever more possible. If you do intend to travel, it would be difficult to over-emphasise the value of the ISIC card International Student Identity Card

To assist students in getting to know Ireland, the College organises a number of optional trips at weekends. The student liaison officer will discuss this at the beginning of the Semester and will give you a guideline of pricing.

 

 

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