When the idea of vaping was first introduced to the world, it seemed like a ‘healthier’ and less harmful alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Growing up today from a young age you are taught about the harmful effects of tobacco cigarettes and how years ago, most smokers were unaware of the consequences of smoking tobacco. Years of research have shown that there is a link between people who smoke cigarettes, and the chances of developing illnesses such as lung cancer are increasingly higher. 

Smoking-related deaths are not uncommon, In fact, in Ireland, smoking is the leading cause of avoidable death. According to the HSE, nearly 6,000 people die in Ireland each year from the effects of smoking and thousands of others suffer from smoking-related diseases. Every year smoking is the cause of 1.5 million deaths worldwide.

Smoking influences 

In my opinion, there are many reasons young people today would drift away from smoking tobacco and start something new like vaping. The first reason, most definitely, is the influence of family and friends.

Speaking for myself, I have both friends and family members who vape, which is common for most young people. You probably wouldn’t go a day without seeing someone smoking a vape. If you are surrounded by people who partake in vaping, there is that bit of pressure on you to start. 

Even some celebrities are seen vaping which again would influence young people. As cliché as its sounds, any form of smoking would probably be labelled as ‘cool’, even if you look at some fictional characters in movies, take Tyler Durden from the movie ‘Fight Club’, for example. He’s depicted as a badass cool-looking tough guy who smokes. 

Vaping is seemingly easier to hide

The second reason I think vaping is popular is the availability of sweet-tasting flavours, rather than the rough and earthy taste of tobacco. Flavours like watermelon, strawberry, cotton candy and many more would attract younger people to at least try vaping. Some of the flavours are also combined with others such as kiwi-strawberry or blue raspberry lemonade. 

Even the names of the flavours they have labelled would be enough to persuade young people to try. Not to mention that these flavours don’t really give off a distinct smell making the smell a lot easier to hide than the smell of cigarettes. 

It would be easier to catch a person smoking a cigarette than a vape, so young people could even vape in their room without their parents noticing. Hiding the scent of vape smoke is easier. Cigarette smoke has a more distinct and stronger smell. Adults would recognise the smell of cigarette smoke as it was once legal to smoke in public places until the early 2000’s and a vast majority of people would smoke in public places such as pubs. The smell of cigarette smoke tends to last on clothes for a while, whereas vape smoke doesn’t. 

Price

The price of vapes is an attraction to vaping as it is a cheap alternative to cigarettes. The standard price of a packet of cigarettes would range from twelve euros to up to fifteen euros. Since the recent government increases in tobacco products through the years, cigarettes have greatly increased in price. 

Alternatively, you could buy a vape for as cheap as seven or eight euros. The price of the vapes would generally be more suited to the income of a young person. Meaning that in all, vaping would be seen as a cheaper alternative and a lot more affordable. 

Secretive vaping

Disposable vapes are probably the most popular type of vape too. They require no charging or no vape liquid. The disposable vapes can last a couple of days and are easier to get rid of as you just throw them away, however they are very harmful to the environment. 

The disposable vapes are convenient for hiding evidence of smoking as they are super easy to get rid of. With disposables, you just buy them and take off the plastic tip and you can smoke them. However, the actual contents of what is in these vapes are a mixture of chemicals and the long-term side effects of inhaling them are unknown, as they haven’t been out long enough to see the effects. 

Regardless of what you are inhaling, smoke is never good for your health, whether it’s cigarette smoke or vape smoke. 

In Ireland in 2015, 23% of teenagers said they had used e-cigarettes at some point, and this increased to 37% in 2019. In 2015, 10.1 per cent said they were currently using e-cigarettes, and a study showed this increased to 18.1 per cent in 2019. This number is increasing every year and I feel it will just continue to increase as it becomes more popular. 

There is a complete disconnect between the attitudes toward smoking and vaping in young people. I believe that older people see it as a great alternative to smoking or an aid to help give them up. Most people using them as an aid to giving up nicotine just stay on the same level of nicotine as cigarettes. They don’t realise that they have to slowly reduce nicotine concentration to eventually wean off it altogether. In some cases, they vape more than they were smoking in the first place or use a combination of both. 

However, with younger people, I feel like young people are buying the various fruity flavours because they like the taste and do not comprehend that it’s still nicotine and therefore akin to smoking. 

I feel like the disposable vapes are also seen as nearly a collector’s item as they come in loads of different colours and I have seen TikToks of teenagers showing off their ‘collection’ of colours.

Easy access to vaping

Vaping is more accessible to young people than traditional tobacco and you definitely see a lot more ‘non-smokers’ using vapes regularly, as opposed to social smokers who smoked when they drank. 

For example, my little sister isn’t a smoker but would smoke when she was drinking, but has since taken up disposable vapes and used it daily. She wouldn’t associate that with smoking, so vaping is definitely more acceptable to her than being a full-time smoker. 

You also see young people making their own vape juice flavours at home, which is dangerous. If someone told me they had grown their own form of tobacco leaves at home and were selling it for a cheap price, I would literally run a mile. Yet people seem to have no problem inhaling random chemicals created in a random person’s kitchen? 

Most standard vape pods are the equivalent to one 20-pack of cigarettes. If I told someone when I was a smoker that I smoked a full box every single day, I would be considered a heavy smoker that had a serious nicotine use problem. Yet you’re seeing “non-smokers” go through a vape pod once a day and no remarks are made? Why? Because there’s little to no association between vaping and smoking in young people. 

A lot of young people that are taking up vaping now didn’t grow up in an Ireland that allowed smoking indoors or else they don’t remember. When vapes were first introduced there were very few flavours available on the market and they were marketed as a smoke-free alternative. 

As the years have gone on and the industry has evolved, vapes have become an accessory on a night out or an instrument to do cool ‘vape tricks’ with. Competitive Vaping is now, unfortunately, a real thing.

Trendy alternative

I think it’s becoming more of a trend with young girls because of the fruity flavours available now and an increase in people who wouldn’t have smoked because of the taste or smell of tobacco now having an alternative. 

I also think there’s an increase in young vape users in the hospitality industry. It is easier to hide somewhere and take a few quick drags of a fruity vape and get back to work unnoticed than going out for a smoke break. I also think the price increase of tobacco probably had an impact on young people taking up vaping because you can buy cheap vapes for next to nothing, whereas you could be paying nearly €15 for a box of cigarettes or €20 for a pouch of tobacco. 

I really think age restrictions for vape products should be increased to at least 25 or fully banned like the menthol cigarettes were. That’s why I gave it up in the end. I didn’t like the taste of regular cigarettes and tried a vape for a while, but felt like I was swallowing razor blades all the time because I realised I was using it more than I ever smoked.

Vaping seen to be ‘healthier’ 

I do think vaping is seen as healthier than smoking as I feel like a lot of young people, especially those who weren’t smokers beforehand, don’t even associate vaping with smoking. 

I don’t think young people realise that when you vape you’re potentially doing more damage than just smoking tobacco. To put this into context, if a smoker comes over to my house, they will have to smoke outside. A lone smoker is less inclined to go outside for a smoke on their own, especially if the weather is bad and there isn’t adequate shelter, whereas a vaper can use it inside as much as they want. 

Anytime I have been socialising with vapers, it’s been a near-permanent fixture in their mouths the entire time. Although it’s either illegal or up to the premises’ discretion to allow or ban vaping, it’s still easy to take a sneaky drag undetected. So I feel that sheer quantity-wise, vapers are doing more damage as they’re probably inhaling way more nicotine and pollutants than a normal smoker. 

People don’t realise that you inhale a higher concentration of nicotine much quicker using a vape than using a traditional cigarette. When I was a smoker, there were only so many cigarettes I could smoke one after another without feeling ill. When that cigarette ends, you have to take out another one so you’re able to quantify how many you’re consuming, but you don’t get that with vapes. 

It’s also more socially acceptable for young people to use a vape than to smoke because of the smell. A cotton candy aroma is more attractive than a tobacco one. Also, I think there aren’t as many warnings for vapes in media as there are for tobacco. I think that’s where the disconnect comes from. We’re all traumatised over the pictures on the cigarette boxes of people’s mouths rotting away or black tar-clogged lungs versus healthy pink ones (my Dad’s personal favourite) but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one related to vaping? 

It’s also important to note that e-cigarettes are ‘subtly’ marketed toward teenagers. One popular brand’s ad campaign originally had bright, colourful ads with attractive young models vaping. They had huge billboards in Times Square with this imagery and a successful social media campaign that created the personality of a fun, popular, attractive user. 

Developing a personality when launching a brand is fundamental for its success. It sets out who is the ideal target audience wanted for a brand but often translates to consumers as this is the type of person you become when you use this brand. So by using young, attractive models shown at parties kissing other attractive models, a distinct message is being sent to young people: use this product, and this could be you. 

These companies are buying product placements in popular artists’ music videos reaching billions of people, and I know from my own experience with music festivals, that there are often pop-up stands/shops selling or promoting vapes. 

If you look at the hardware design of some of the most popular vapes, they are small, sleek, and look like a USB flash drive. I refuse to believe that it is a coincidence that they are small enough to fit into small handbags, back pockets or pencil cases, even, but they’re not being marketed toward teens. 

The regulation for advertising e-cigarettes is not up to scratch at all and, in my opinion, it’s detrimental to young people everywhere. They say that if you get a young person (under the age of 25ish) addicted to your product, you’ll have a user for life. It’s no coincidence that big tobacco, which also owns a large proportion of the smoke-free alternatives market, is marketing its highly addictive nicotine products to young impressionable teenagers. 

“Starting from zero, got nothing to lose.”

Tracy Chapman

The best piece of advice I can give about the leaving cert is the above words of Tracy Chapman. This is something I had never considered until the very last minute when my Mam said it to me before walking into my first exam. Simple words really, but a truth that resonated with me. If you go into each exam with that in mind, it is a reminder that it can only go up from there. No matter how you do, you will leave having made even a little bit of progress.

My experience with the leaving cert was less straightforward than most, to say the least. I had left sixth year a few months early due to my mental health, so I missed a lot. Because of this, I was convinced that my only option was to leave it until the following year. After thinking it through, I decided that the best option was to get it out of the way instead of facing a year of dread. I then realised my goal: to pass the leaving cert. I accepted that I wasn’t going to get 600 points, but I knew if I pushed myself, I could at least get a D in each subject.

Achieving this took quite a bit of work, including intense grinds in every subject and the decision to drop down to ordinary level in some. I think a lot of students feel as though they have to do higher level in every subject, mostly due to pressure from teachers, parents, and even themselves. While I was fortunate to have parents that put no pressure on me, they still wanted me to stay at higher level in as many subjects as I could, mainly because they believed in my ability to excel, despite missing the majority of my leaving cert year. In the end, keeping my goal in mind, I did what I knew I had to do in order to reach it.

Top points were not my goal

Having done this, I can say that creating goals is a key factor in managing the stress of the leaving cert. The leaving cert is so overwhelming that we often accept what we are led to believe: that the goal is to get the highest mark possible in every single subject in order to achieve the next step of getting into college. This belief can make us lose sight of the actual goal: to do what we want to do. For many, this does involve going to college, but the secret is that you don’t have to.

The reason I say secret, is because that’s what it seems like. We get so caught up in what we think we are supposed to do that we believe it’s the only option. This often leads to people going to college only to find that it’s not for them. My experience was somewhat similar to this, in that not only did I reach my goal to pass the leaving cert, but I also somehow made it into college. Because of this, I didn’t even consider whether college was for me or not; I just felt that I had to go because I got in.

Trusting my instincts

In the end, I deferred after a couple of months. This was another case of while I was under no pressure, my parents believed that I could do it. Again, I trusted my gut and kept a new goal in mind: to be happy. I knew that being in college wasn’t going to do this and that, unlike the leaving cert, I had the choice not to be overwhelmed and I took it.

In saying that, this is my experience. I am an example of somebody who didn’t adhere to the pressure of going to college when I didn’t want to. This does not mean that for other people, college isn’t a welcome part of their journey towards doing what they want to do. This does not mean that for other people, getting the highest marks isn’t the right way to achieve their goals. What this does mean, however, is that there are options and there is no one right way to get to where you want to be.

During my leaving cert, social care was what suited me best as a career choice and it was a dream of mine to pursue it in a degree course. My guidance counsellor advised me to look at Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses as a backup if it didn’t work out with a college offer.

I thought this was a great idea and knew local students who did PLC courses and got on very well. For my PLC applications, I had to go through an interview which asked about everything from my understanding of the course content, to why I chose the course.

On the morning of my CAO offers, I was offered a place in social care in Mayo. At the time I was quite sick with my mental health so decided to stay at home, take my PLC spot, commute and hopefully earn my place in my preferred spot.

I started my journey in a PLC college studying Applied Social Studies. This has been my favourite educational experience to date. The modules and subjects were taught practically, making it easier to understand what was being taught. The course was delivered with the students in mind.

Great insight

It was only a one-year commitment and gave me great insight into the area. Every module uses a variety of teaching methods with videos, discussions, trips, and activities. In the PLC college, we transitioned from the secondary level form of assessment to the third level style of continuous assessments consisting of essays, presentations, practice research projects, exams, and placements.

The community and supportive environment of the college is what I loved so much. Everyone was there to help and it was a fun environment in general. As we started college there was an induction fun day held that consisted of a talent show, sports day, and Supermacs pizza. At Christmas, there was a Christmas Carol. All of these activities made up the great buzz of the college. The best thing was it was so much fun.

Prep for third level

There was loads of prep work done for third level such as basics of Harvard referencing, assignments, and modules. A lot of the modules in the PLC were introductions that would be explored in more detail in a degree course, such as psychology care skills, and social care. We even did a mini-thesis.

Carrying on from my issues with learning disabilities, I registered with the disability service who provided me with a Special Needs Assistant (SNA). They helped me with organisational skills, one-on-one class support and learning support classes. I was also given adequate accommodation for my exams, which helped me transition into the world of further education.

In the social care class, we had to arrange an African cultural day for our intercultural studies module and mix it with a bake sale. We made decorations, food, and had African dancing, clothes and music; it was great fun.

The money raised from the bake sale was donated to other class’s efforts in making shoe boxes and sending them to developing countries. We got to go on a team-building day in Cavan where we did activities in the woods with time to get to know our classmates and to see community service in action. The place we stayed in was set up to do work with families in inner-city Dublin.

In this particular course, I also got a chance to do certified first aid, manual handling, people moving, infection control, and children first courses. These were a great extra on top of the mandatory course and were great for my CV.

We had two weeks of placement to carry out in a social care area. I went to a special needs unit in a secondary school, which was a great introduction to the area of intellectual disabilities. As part of our assessment, we had to facilitate an intervention activity and be supervised by a lecturer from the college.

Dream course

After completing my PLC I achieved a great result and managed to secure a place on my dream course at AIT. A bonus was that I made a great bunch of friends who were all starting the same course as me, which was a huge advantage.

To wrap up this fantastic year, we celebrated in style at our graduation ceremony. It was a lovely ceremony organised by the college which made the course that bit more worth it and enjoyable.

When I was that leaving cert student, I saw a PLC as the last option. However, now in my last year of the degree, I can say it was my best experience with education. If you ask me, it is well worth it for everyone to consider a PLC.

The Leaving Certificate was a very overwhelming process for me, as I know it is for almost everyone. It felt to me like there was so much to do, so much I had to know and there was no time to do any of it. I then procrastinated doing anything because I was so overwhelmed; and I didn’t know where or how to start.

It didn’t help that I would see others around me with their colourful flashcards or aesthetic notes, feeling pressure to be like that, but also feeling like I could never achieve this. I soon learned, however, that I didn’t need notes like these to do well in the Leaving Certificate; I just needed to find a method of study that suited me.

Before starting, I tried to break everything down into manageable chunks and made checklists to stop myself from feeling so overwhelmed. I had to find my own way to feel on top of things and in control.

Finding what worked for me

As someone who is an active and practical learner, I could not study and revise by just sitting and reading chapter notes. This never worked for me as I felt I was reading but not comprehending what I was reading, thus wasting time. It took some trial and error to learn which methods of study suited me and helped me retain more information.

Past papers

The main method I used was past papers. If there was a topic that I wanted to revise, I would just find all the relevant exam questions on that topic and start answering them without looking at my notes beforehand or without the assistance of my notes. This was a good way for me to see where the gaps were in my knowledge, and whether I knew the topic or not. I found after doing this I was so surprised at how much I did remember about a topic, which made me feel less worried about not being prepared for the exams.

If I had completed all the exam papers, I would go to the questions in my textbook for that subject, or often I would even make up my own questions. I would go through my notes on the chapter or topic I was studying, and I would pick out the main things discussed in that chapter that could be important or on the exam.

By practising exam paper questions, I could familiarise myself with the paper layout, timing, time management, and marking scheme whilst also doing revision. So, when I thought I was doing very little, I was achieving lots.

If you want extra support with past papers, the website studyclix.ie has lots of great resources to help you study better.

Mind maps

Another study tool I found useful for last-minute revision and cramming, which we all end up doing at some point, is using mind maps. Mind maps are very visual, and they can be designed whatever way you like, or you can use templates.

They can include as much or as little detail as you like and can contain diagrams, pictures, etc. They are great for using just before a test or the night before the Leaving Cert exams as a memory refresher. They should only include relevant and important information.

For example, for Leaving Cert Home Economics, there were several content-heavy chapters on nutrients which contained a lot of subheadings and information that I needed to remember. My mind map would include all these important headings and I would have a list of words underneath or a short description to explain the heading. It enabled me to get almost 20 pages of text down to 1!

YouTube videos

I found that YouTube videos provided great information on several topics I was studying. There are many Leaving Certificate teachers creating and sharing content on YouTube and I found this a good way to learn. I didn’t feel like I was studying when watching the videos and it just felt like I was watching an informative video.

I held onto more information from these videos sometimes than from reading about the same topic. You should have a look on YouTube for videos about your subject or topics, particularly experiments for subjects like biology or chemistry. Especially if you were not able to carry out the experiments in class due to COVID-19. You see the experiment from an entirely new perspective, and it helps you put into context the experiment you have been reading about and trying to understand.

Quizlet

For subjects with a lot of keywords that need to be remembered or for language subjects, I would create study sets using Quizlet. With Quizlet, you can test yourself and play matching games to try and match terms with definitions or translations. This was an active way for me to learn and it would show me my progress, which ones I knew and which ones I needed to go back over again.

I downloaded Quizlet onto my phone so that if I had a spare minute somewhere I could be revising the sets using Quizlet. When revising for my Leaving Certificate Irish exam, for both the written exam and oral exam, I created different sets on Quizlet with different categories of key terms.

For example, I put all the new terms and useful vocabulary I wanted to remember for the ‘sraith pictiúr’ into a set together, and I put vocabulary about an essay topic (i.e. the environment and global warming) in another set.

Study methods that suit you

Obviously, these are not methods that are specific to the Leaving Certificate; these are methods that I still use today in college to help me revise. I use past papers available to know what to expect on this year’s end of semester exams. I have created several lists of revision questions for the various modules I’m doing to test my knowledge and to guide and structure my revisions. I watch YouTube videos of topics discussed in class to further my knowledge on the topic and to better understand the topic.

You should find a study method that best suits you and stick to it. It’s about trial and error until you find success. You are only wasting time by using methods that are of no benefit to you and your revision. Remember, you are not alone, and a little work now goes a long way and will benefit you in the long run. Best of luck with the exams!

Preparing for your Leaving Cert exams can be challenging. It is important to prioritise your wellbeing during this busy life period.

Preparing for the Leaving Cert

Here are some articles that can support you with your study and wellbeing before, during and after exam time.

Making a study plan

Study tips for the Leaving Cert

Looking after your wellbeing as you prepare for the Leaving Cert

Dealing with stress and burnout during sixth year

Preparing for the first day of exams

What to do after the Leaving Cert

Once the exams are behind you, it is a good idea to take a break. When you are ready, you can think about what your next steps can be.

Exploring your options after secondary school

Getting your Leaving Cert results

Talk to someone about the Leaving Cert exams

If you feel you are becoming overwhelmed with feelings of stress around your exams it’s important that you try to talk to someone. Sharing this with someone else can help you feel better and it means that you will have the support of that person over the next few weeks and months when it comes to exams. If you feel like you need some professional support, here is a list of affordable mental health supports for young people in Ireland.

The Government has introduced a scheme that allows some International Protection applicants to apply for legal residence in Ireland. This opportunity will be available to International Protection applicants who have not yet received a final negative decision with respect to their application. There is a separate strand, with a separate application process, for long-term undocumented people, who have been undocumented for 4 years or more (or 3 years in the case of individuals with minor children).

Before you apply, it’s important to make sure you have all of your documents and to check that you are definitely eligible for the scheme. 

The International Protection Strand of this scheme will close on 7 August 2022. You must apply before this date.

The strand for long-term undocumented migrants is open until until 31 July 2022. Find out about applying for the undocumented migrants strand.

Eligibility for the International Protection strand

International Protection applicants who have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years can apply for the International Protection strand, as long as they continue to await their final decision from the Ministerial Decisions Unit.

 There are many support organisations who can offer advice and support – find details at the end of this page.

To qualify, you must be:

You cannot apply if:

Application process

To apply for the International Protection strand, you will need to fill out an application form and email it to [email protected]. 

Information and documentation

This form will ask for details like your name, date of birth, details of your Temporary Residence Card, and information on how long you have lived in Ireland. To qualify, you need to have been continuously living in Ireland for at least two years.

If you have been living in Direct Provision, the Department will be able to access some information on your residence history from the centre. However, you can provide documentation (letters demonstrating your address), if you wish.

If you have not been living in Direct Provision, you will need to provide documentation to prove how long you have been living in Ireland. You can find a full list of documentation on the FAQ sheet.

eVetting

As part of the application process, you will have to go through an eVetting process, which means checks will be carried out to make sure you have no criminal record, that you are of “good character”, and you have not been involved in any criminal activity.

Can I submit a family application?

It is not possible to submit a family application in the International Protection strand. An application must be submitted for each individual who are current International Protection applicants.

Fee

If you are in the International Protection process, you will not need to pay a fee.

What should I do if I don’t meet the criteria?

If you don’t meet the criteria for this scheme, then your application will be refused. Find out more about what you can do if your application is refused below.

It is recommended that you contact a support organisation before applying if you have any doubts over your eligibility. Find a list of support organisations at the end of this page.

What happens if my application is approved?

If your application is approved, you will receive a letter granting you permission to stay in Ireland for two years on Stamp 4 conditions, which you can then renew.

You must register your permission with the Irish immigration authorities and be issued your Irish Residence Permit. Currently, children under the age of 16 do not need to register but they will then need to register when they turn 16 years old if they do not already have Irish citizenship. 

What can I do with a Stamp 4 Residence Permit?

A Stamp 4 Residence Permit, allows you to:

Should I continue with my protection application if I am approved for the scheme?

If you are approved for the regularisation scheme, you can continue your protection application if you wish. This would be particularly important for adults who wish to apply for family reunification for spouses or children, or minors who wish to apply for minor siblings and parents, as there is no right to family reunification under the regularisation programme. 

There may also be differences regarding entitlement to a travel document and the length of time it takes to qualify for citizenship.

What happens if my application is refused?

If you are refused, you will receive a letter outlining why this decision was made. Your application could be refused because:

If you believe your application should have been accepted, you can appeal the decision.

How to appeal the decision

If you want to appeal, you must do this within 30 days of your application being refused. You can lodge your appeal through the Immigration Service portal.

If your appeal is successful, you will receive a letter granting you permission to stay in Ireland. You can then follow the steps above. 

If your appeal is unsuccessful but you are still in the process of your application for International Protection, that application will still be processed even if you are refused for this scheme.

Who can I go to for help with this scheme?

Some people may be feeling nervous about applying for this scheme. If you fulfil all of the criteria, it is safe to apply. There are a number of organisations who can offer advice and support to those interested in applying.

Irish Refugee Council

The Irish Refugee Council provides services and support for people seeking protection and people recognised as refugees in Ireland. They offer an email and phone support line where you can access information and an independent law centre where you can get free legal advice and aid. 

Immigrant Council of Ireland

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has a helpline where you can ask questions and be supported with the application process. The staff may be able to assist you to make an application or refer you internally to the Law Centre if that is necessary. 

Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre

Nasc works with migrants and refugees to help them understand their rights. If you have questions about this regularisation scheme, you can contact the NASC Advocacy service.

The FLAC Helpline is there to answer questions and provide basic legal information to the public. If you have questions about the scheme, FLAC may be able to offer information. 

Other migrants rights organisations

The weeks following my Leaving Cert results were, as they were for many in my year, a flurry. They involved preparing to start university, sorting accommodation, processing that secondary school was well and truly over, and getting ready for the future- all in a matter of weeks. This rush meant that I found myself on a boat three weeks later, and the fact that I was moving abroad for university began to fully sink in. 

It was a nerve-wracking experience, but also one filled with excitement. New environments challenge us, they make us consider things and ourselves from an entirely new perspective. I was going to a completely new city and country, where I was the furthest from my family and friends I’d ever been for an extended period. I think that’s one of the most intimidating parts – the worry of losing your support system, of having to build a new one while maintaining your connections and relationships back home. 

I didn’t approach moving abroad worry-free, but despite these anxieties, I also felt a great deal of excitement for everything that this experience would bring. That was important for me, that acknowledgement of the worry alongside the excitement. By working with both, I was able to prepare myself for the challenges ahead while also allowing myself to experience what has been one of the most exciting periods of my life so far.

The first thing I noticed after moving and starting university was independence. I’m fortunate that my college is no more than a 15-20 minute walk from most things in the city, so for the first time, I could walk places to meet friends without planning trains two hours in advance! I had full liberty to do what I wanted when I wanted and how I wanted. This, of course, meant a crash course in time management and responsible grocery shopping. 

I do believe that, for me, this independence was enhanced by moving abroad.  It’s incredibly freeing and has taught me a lot about myself, what I enjoy, how I work, and how I want to spend my time. Coming home has proved a bit of an adjustment during the breaks, but the extra help with laundry every 8-10 weeks is appreciated! Though it can be intimidating at first, I adjusted in time (with some cooking mishaps along the way), and if you’re thinking of moving abroad you will too. 

Support in times of change

Though this independence is fantastic, support is always still needed, particularly during a period of so much change. The last few months have brought their ups and downs, alongside some incredible friendships and a wonderful sense of community. Most people in my university have also moved away from home, whether from somewhere else in the UK or from abroad. We all live together and, in a cliché sort of way, there is a sense of family in our shared kitchen. I feel incredibly grateful for the friendships I have made abroad, and for the ones I have maintained back home. 

If you are considering moving abroad and are worried about the distance between you and your friends, I was too. It’s a natural concern, and one I went through many times, particularly during the first few weeks. But I learned that my friends from home are never more than a phone call or text message away and that sometimes moving away can strengthen those friendships and lead to great meetups when you’re home.

Taking a leap of faith

That being said, homesickness and loneliness are a natural part of many university experiences and are compounded by moving abroad. At times, I have felt as though my time and everything I own are split between two countries, but you adjust to this. Everyone I’ve spoken to has felt lonely at university, but I found that this improves as time goes on. Moving away, I was very much thrown into the “deep end,” but I believe this has strengthened my friendships, new and old, and given me a newfound appreciation for Dublin whenever I return home. 

Moving to a new environment is never easy, particularly when you’re just out of school. However, taking that leap of faith brings so many new experiences and opportunities to explore the world, your future, and learn about yourself. It can be a completely fresh start in a place you may never have been to before, but you will fall in love with exploring the city, the country and meeting people you otherwise would never have met. 

Challenge yourself

There’s a noticeboard in my room, and when I arrived it was bare except for a few photos I had brought with me from home. Over the last few months, it’s slowly begun to be populated with photos from term time, photos printed from home, and pictures of friends who have visited. I had doubts about moving abroad up to the moment I moved into my room. 

Though there have been challenges, I believe that it is ultimately one of the best decisions I have made and have been fortunate enough to be able to make. I am so glad I decided to move abroad, and if you are thinking about it I encourage you to question the worries in the back of your head, consider taking that leap and challenge yourself to try something entirely new. 

Thinking about making a move abroad? There’s a lot to consider before moving to a new country – from arranging visas to finding work and a place to live, here are the things to consider before you go.

Last July I got my first job. The four months prior had been spent carefully editing my CV and perfecting a unique cover letter for each job. The response was underwhelming, to say the least; from April through to June I received a slew of rejection emails. And then, one day in mid-July I submitted a chance application, not expecting much. Within a day I was attending an interview, and within two days I was starting my very first job.

I was over the moon; I felt like all my hard work had finally paid off. It was a huge confidence boost for someone to look at me and decide they wanted me to work for them. The bragging rights for being the first of my friends to get a job was also a plus. I showed up on that very first day full of enthusiasm and energy. I was nervous too, of course. Starting your first job is a new experience and a slightly terrifying one at that. For me, it was the first time I found myself in a situation where I was fully on my own. Unlike at school or extracurriculars, there was no one there to hold my hand and guide me through it. Regardless of that, I was genuinely excited to start working and do my best. Unfortunately, within a week I was in a state of constant anxiety because of my job.

Feeling out of place

My first day wasn’t some nightmarish hell, it was fairly on par with what I expected.  But I quickly began to feel like I was out of place. It seemed to me like working came much more naturally to everyone else. Everyone learns differently, and I need to be clear on what I’m supposed to do; set out what my responsibilities are, and I’ll fulfil them to the best of my ability. I didn’t get that in this job. It seemed like I was expected to know exactly what I was meant to be doing and when I was only given minimal training. I began to dread going to work the next day, working myself into a panic and crying every night. I was a normally confident person, but I began to feel sick with nerves over receiving phone calls and texts for work.

After a few weeks of feeling on edge, receiving phone calls on my scheduled days off, and even making myself so anxious that I had to call in sick one day, I left my job. I didn’t suddenly walk out or anything; I submitted my two weeks’ notice, and then due to a scheduling issue finished earlier than expected. Strangely, however, I didn’t feel immediate immense relief. I felt quite guilty over it.

In my workplace, there was a certain culture around prioritising your job over your life. I remember hearing co-workers giving out about people asking for weekends off, and others (teenagers like me) working up to two hours past their rostered end of shift. I never felt like I fit in with this view, but in submitting my notice after just a few weeks, I proved I didn’t.

Unnecessary guilt

A few months later, I can look back and say that feeling guilty over leaving my job was unnecessary; I know it was the right thing to do for my mental health. But I also know that sticking it out for as long as I did was equally important. It was an overwhelmingly negative experience at the time, but it ironically had a very positive impact on me. I tended to be slightly shy in my early teens, which this job completely eradicated. Going into a completely new environment, where I received very little advice or guidance was one of the most beneficial experiences of my life. As a result, I’ve become far more confident in myself and my abilities.

This too shall pass

Most importantly, having a negative experience with my first job showed me that I can get through awful experiences and benefit from them. I honestly think that this job is to thank for the confidence with which I started 5th year. Before this experience, I would have been anxious about being thrown in with a new year group, but afterwards, I knew I would get through it.  I often think about the adage; ‘This too shall pass’. I used to think it was the most useless saying in the world. Now, in hard moments, I find myself whispering it like a mantra.

Oftentimes we assume milestones will be extremely positive experiences, but sometimes they aren’t. Getting my first job was a huge milestone but getting through it and standing up for myself was a bigger one. Milestones aren’t always positive experiences, but they give us the experience to learn from and an opportunity to grow.

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What is a housing crisis? A housing crisis occurs when the cost of housing, be it renting or buying, becomes higher than the income reasonably deemed adequate to meet it. This is the current situation, not only in Ireland but in many countries around the world today. It has destroyed families, put an incredible strain on the majority of the population either renting or looking to rent and made the transition into adulthood even harder than it already is.

The housing crisis is having a huge negative effect on Irish adolescents’ and young adults’ development. It’s prohibiting the majority of the population from moving out. This might not seem like such a huge impact, but these now adults are being denied the chance to fend for themselves, figure out life and begin to understand the world independently. So, what are our options? 

Every cent to survive

For most of us students who are putting ourselves through education, we are using every cent we have from our part-time or summer jobs to survive. For those who have already entered the working world with the recent price of rent, especially in Dublin, little can afford to pay this on a starting salary. Again, most can’t afford to transition between jobs because that can also come with a wage cut. For many who are one bad wage away from eviction, this isn’t an option forcing them to stay in a job they don’t want to be in. 

A lot of us have had to share our rooms with younger or older siblings when we were growing up. This is already difficult enough when we are kids, but when two or more fully grown adults still are being forced to sleep, eat, study, and live less than 4 metres apart this can seriously put a strain on the relationship. I know because my brother and I shared a room until about 6 months ago. He is 6 years younger than me, and I can tell you first hand we have had our fair share of fights over the years. Especially when the lockdowns began, not being able to have any personal space or have time alone was truly difficult. As well during lockdown, I know of multiple large families that all had to share devices to do their online classes and homework. 

Putting education first

Returning to education after two years of working, I had to consider that I would be putting my life on hold for another few years. I was an apprentice making very little money anyway, but after I would have been qualified moving out would have been easier (after a lot of overtime). I had to take this into account when leaving my apprenticeship because I would have to put off moving out even further back than originally planned. I knew even after a four-year degree that would be followed by another year or two at least of working to save up to put down a deposit. Then again, I had to discuss this with my parents to make sure they would be ok with this and that it didn’t disrupt their plans. Fortunately, they understood, but I can’t say that this would be the same for everyone.

That was the last straw of course for me and my brother sharing a room and we decided to save for a log cabin to build out my back garden. Which I am now living in happily and will for the next few years. 

I have been extremely lucky to have had this log cabin built and have gained some separation from my family (about 6 metres) and have had some independence because of it. After sharing a small room my entire life this was a massive step for me, but I am still relying on my parents every day for things like electricity, the kitchen to cook in, I couldn’t afford to put a bathroom out here, I didn’t have the space either, so I am again relying on the house. This has impacted my development into becoming an adult and getting that independence we all strive for. 

Progress postponed

We are being forced to continue to live with our parents well into our 20s, 30s and for some 40s, this can make family situations incredibly stressful and tense. To think of all the individuals putting their lives on hold or not being able to become the people they want to become because of this issue is heartbreaking. 

What about those who want to start having children and start that new stage of their lives they have been dreaming about for years? This is another huge aspect being affected for people who simply can’t afford the space to have children or because their rent is taking such a large chunk of their wages that they cannot afford all the expenses that come with having children. This for some people can be postponed, but that is not good enough; we should be able to have control over our own lives and have the option to be independent and begin our journey. 

The worst part in my opinion is the government knows exactly what they are doing, they know exactly how this is affecting people and they either don’t care or are being paid off not to care. We are being forced to put our lives on hold and be in a constant state of struggle and battle to simply afford to survive. They are asking people to move out of the city and use the green space we have and commute to work, and then the price of petrol triples, insurance for first-time drivers is skyrocketing and they will not provide the transport links to travel into the city. In my opinion, the government is allowing this to happen, allowing normal people to struggle and fight for their entire lives with no means to an end. 

The problem with current “solutions”

Another shocking thing I read was the government’s “solution” to this: co-living, which I strongly disagree with. The main goal is that you as an individual or a couple rent just a bedroom and share a kitchen and living space with 40 other adults. This, in my opinion, is just another problem we will have to clean up. This doesn’t promote development or personal growth in any way. This is something that can work well in colleges, but in my opinion, should stop at that point. Of course, if this is what people want to do, I have no problem with that, but presenting this as the solution and that we are to just accept this is ridiculous. 

Unfortunately, for people, this is a constant source of stress and for me, it is always in the back of my mind. It is another obstacle created by our government to force us into the continuous cycle of sacrificing what we want to work on all our lives just to be able to survive. In my opinion, this will never stop, this will continue to get so much worse, unless we can come together to stand up and not allow this to continue. 

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Whether you’re looking for a new adventure, or you are hoping to find better work or accommodation opportunities abroad, moving to a new country can be both an exciting and stressful experience. 

It’s important to do your research before moving abroad. Making sure you have everything in place in advance will make the transition to a new country easier, and less stressful.

In this article:

How to move to a new country

Here are some things to consider before you make your move:

Deciding where to move to

You might have a country in mind, or you may be open to exploring a few options, but spending time thinking about where you’re going to move to is important. There are a few things to consider before making your decision about where to go:

Moving abroad can lead to a culture shock, when the customs and culture of a new place are very different to your own. No matter how much research you do, you may still experience culture shock – but spending time thinking about the questions above can help to make the transition easier after you arrive.

Arranging documents and visas

Before you even begin to plan your move, you will need to make sure you have all of your documents in order, and that you have permission to live and work in the country you’re moving to. This can include:

If you’re a citizen of the European Union (EU), you can live and work in another EU country and Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland without needing to apply for a work permit. Some EU countries require you to report your presence to the relevant authorities (often the town hall or local police station) within a reasonable period of time after arrival, so make sure to find out if you need to do this.

Applying for work permits

A work permit is an official document that shows you are allowed to work in a certain country for a period of time. This is different to a travel visa that allows you to visit a country, but not work or study there. Some countries will require you to get a work permit if you want to take up employment there.

If you’re moving to a country where you require a work permit, make sure to give plenty of time to fill out the application and wait for a decision before you begin making other plans. Some countries have a lottery system that will invite interested people to apply for a work permit every few months, so you may need to wait until you receive an invitation before you can apply. 

As part of the application, you may be asked to provide information about the other places you’ve lived, your work history, and provide a police certificate confirming whether or not you have a criminal record. Start gathering these documents as early as possible to avoid delays. 

After you submit your application, it could take a number of weeks or even months before you receive a decision. It’s best to wait until after your application has been approved before making other plans or arrangements. 

Finding work abroad

Once you’ve been approved to work in a new country, you can begin looking for job opportunities. There are a few ways you can find work:

For job opportunities in Europe, Eurodesk and the European Youth Portal can offer advice and point you towards opportunities for studying, working or volunteering abroad.

Studying abroad

There are several options available if you want to study abroad. It’s important to look for information on things like fees for international students, whether or not you’ll need a work permit, and the language you can study through. Different countries will have different requirements for applying to and being accepted to college, so take the time to do your research. 

If you’re interested in studying in Europe, EUNiCAS can offer information, advice and support. You can also look into International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) to find out about scholarships and other financial aid available for studying in another country.

Find out more about applying for college abroad.

Finding somewhere to live

Figuring out where you’re going to live after moving to a new country can be daunting, but there are a few things you can do to make the process of finding accommodation smoother. 

It can take time to find accommodation, so make sure you have arrangements in place while you’re looking. This could mean staying in a hostel, and airbnb, or with a friend until you’ve found somewhere to live.

Arranging healthcare

Finding out about the healthcare system in the country you’re moving to is important in case you have ongoing conditions, emergencies crop up, or you become unwell at any time. If you have a work or study permit, you may have been required to take out travel insurance that could cover certain illnesses or injuries, but be sure to check the details of your policy so you know for certain. 

Things like doctor visits and prescriptions are not likely to be covered by travel insurance. Once you are settled in your new town or city, register as a patient with a local doctor and find out where the nearest pharmacy is. If the country or city you moved to has a public health system or another type of healthcare scheme, find out if you are eligible to sign up. 

Depending on where you are travelling to, you may need to get certain vaccinations before travelling. Make sure to inform yourself of what is needed before travelling to a new country and give yourself time to arrange it.

If are a citizen or resident of the EU, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which allows you to access public healthcare in another EU/EEA state for free or at a reduced rate. However, the EHIC is only valid for short-term stays.

Figure out how you’re going to get around

Public transport is different in every city, so it’s good to familiarise yourself with the system in the place you’re moving to. Do they have a metro system, light rail, or buses? Is it a cycling-friendly city? How well connected are the routes? How much does it cost to take public transport? 

If you plan to drive in the country you’re moving to, you may need to apply for a new driving licence. Some countries have driving licence exchange agreements with Ireland, which means you can exchange your existing Irish driving licence for one issued by the country you have moved to. You can then exchange it back if you return to Ireland.

In other countries, you may need to take another driving test in order to get a licence for that country. You might also be able to continue using your Irish driving licence for a certain period of time (sometimes this can be up to a year), but once that time period has passed, you will need a local licence to continue driving.

If you’re moving to an EU country, you can continue to use your Irish driving licence provided it is still valid.

It’s also important to make sure you have insurance and motor tax in place. 

Look forward to the experience

Planning a move abroad can be overwhelming, and it can be easy to get caught up in that stress. It’s important to also get excited about the new experiences

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

Getting your own car can be exciting, but it can also be an expensive purchase. For some people, a car is necessary to get around, especially in areas with limited public transport or for accessibility reasons. 

If you’re buying a car, there are some things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting the best deal and your car is in good condition. 

In this article:

Costs related to owning a car

When it comes to getting a car, it’s not just the vehicle that you need to consider. There are many other expenses involved that you need to factor in.

All of these expenses can add up, so it’s important to make sure you can afford it before you make your purchase. 

How to pay for a car

You have a few options when it comes to paying for a car. If you have the funds, you can purchase the car outright in one payment. This means it will officially belong to you. 

You could also take out a loan, which would mean getting the money for the purchase from a credit union or bank and then repaying the loan over time, with interest (a fee for taking out the loan). You will be the official owner of the car if you take out a loan. Find out more about taking out loans.

Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Plans (PCP)

You can also look into Hire Purchase (HP) agreements or Personal Contract Plan (PCP) agreements. This means the finance company will own the car and you will make payments over time. The car will officially belong to the finance company, and ownership will transfer to you after the last payment has been made. With PCP agreements in particular, the final payment is usually very significant and you may need to take out another loan to repay it. If you can’t afford this, you may need to enter into another finance agreement to keep the car or get a different one. Be careful if you are considering HP or PCP agreements, because this can be a complex process and a big financial commitment.

If you plan to take out a loan or do a HP or PCP arrangement, make sure to fully inform yourself of what’s involved, the risks, and the repayments. Make sure you can afford to make your payments before signing anything.  

Find more information on paying for your car through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website.

Things to check when buying a used car

When buying a used car, here are some things you should look out for when viewing:

For a full list of things to check when buying a car, you can use this CCPC checklist.

Checking the mileage

The odometer reading tells you the total mileage of the car (how much distance the car has travelled). The NCT disc will tell you what the odometer reading was the last time it was checked. Compare the reading in the car to the number on the NCT disc. If the NCT number is higher than the one showing in the car, it may have been altered (or ‘clocked’), which means the person selling it wants it to appear that the car has been driven less than it has. 

Where to buy a car in Ireland

You can either buy a car from a garage or dealer, or from a private seller (buying directly from someone who is selling their car). 

Garage or dealer

If you buy your car from a garage or dealer, you will have a number of rights that you won’t have if you go through a private seller. If something goes wrong, you will have rights under Irish and EU consumer law if you buy through a dealer. 

Before buying from a dealer, do some research to make sure they have a good reputation. Find out if the dealer is a member of the Society of Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) and if they follow the SIMI code of ethics around customer service and business practices. You can check if they are a member on the SIMI website.

When you buy from a dealer, whether new or second hand, they must provide a Vehicle Registration Certificate. It’s recommended that you also ask for:

Private seller

If you buy from a private seller, you will not have the same protections under Irish and EU law as you would with a dealer. This means if something goes wrong after buying the car, there may not be anything you can do to get your money back or get compensation. 

The first thing to investigate is that the car is not currently under a finance agreement like a hire purchase or a personal contract plan. If the current owner is still making repayments to a finance company, they do not officially own it until they have made their last payment – this means they may not have the right to sell the car to you.

You should also take the following steps before agreeing to buy a car from a private seller:

After you have agreed to purchase the car, you will both need to sign the back of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) to transfer ownership. Never pay the seller before you have thoroughly checked the car and you have made sure that the certificate has been signed.

Things to do after buying a car

There are a few things you are legally required to do after buying a car. These include:

What to do if something goes wrong after buying a car

If something goes wrong after you buy your car, the steps you can take depends on whether you purchased it from a dealer or a private seller. 

If you used a finance agreement like Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Plan to pay for your car, then you are not the official owner of the car. Speak to the finance company if there is a fault with your car who may be able to resolve the issue, or talk to the garage or dealer if they are the ones who set up the finance agreement.

Garage or dealer

If you bought from a dealer or garage, you have certain rights and protections. This is because the car must be as described, be of satisfactory quality, and fit for purpose. If the car does not meet these conditions, you can make a complaint to the person who sold you the car.

You may be entitled to a repair, replacement of faulty parts, or a partial refund. If the car is still under warranty, you may have extra protections, so make sure to check the date and conditions of your warranty. If it is not under warranty, you are still entitled to a repair, replacement or refund if the car is faulty. 

Private seller

When you buy from a private seller, you have far fewer protections. If an issue comes up after your purchase, contact the seller and see if you can work out a solution. If you can’t come to an agreement about what to do, you can look into taking them to the Small Claims Court.

For more information on what to do if things go wrong, visit the CCPC website.

Illustrations by Marina Marinina.

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