A Semester in Dublin: Lessons Beyond the Classroom

“Since I was little, I wanted to explore the world; however I never got the chance until the study-abroad program popped up in my emails,” said computer engineering junior Seif El Ansary. By the following semester, he found himself in Ireland as an AUC exchange student. 

El Ansary chose to study at Trinity College Dublin because of its diverse selection of computer science courses and reputable history. “Trinity College has produced many excellent minds that have gone on to change the world for the better,” he said. “It is by far the most prestigious university in Ireland." There, El Ansary found the education system to be more theoretical, complementing his experience at AUC.

While in Ireland, El Ansary became more sociable and traveled across the entire country, discovering “majestic” sites that revealed Ireland’s deep history and love of culture. “Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and Irish folk are the friendliest people I have ever met,” said El Ansary. 

“Since I was little, I wanted to explore the world; however I never got the chance until the study-abroad program popped up in my emails.”

The extensive greenery and farm animals populating the countryside stood out to El Ansary during his domestic travels, and his favorite memories in Dublin consist of exploring the city by night with his study-abroad friends. 

He additionally grew an appreciation for the country’s history, which taught him about the perseverance of Irish people: “They were fighting oppression from the British for hundreds of years, fighting for freedom,” he said.

Similarly, El Ansary was surprised by the expressive nature and activism of students in Ireland, protesting local issues such as housing and broader global affairs. “Students were protesting weekly for Palestine," he said. El Ansary also noticed that fashion — from clothing to tattoos — was more expressive and flashy than what he sees in Egypt.

“AUC’s strong computer engineering courses helped me grasp the complex topics that were taught in Ireland.”

While El Ansary learned much from his peers in Ireland, with their varying cultural backgrounds, AUC helped prepare him for the new social scene he encountered abroad. “While at AUC, I met people of different nationalities and backgrounds, and this increased my confidence exponentially," he said. 

The University also eased the transition for El Ansary by giving him survival tips and suggestions on how to make friends. Academically, “AUC’s strong computer engineering courses helped me grasp the complex topics that were taught in Ireland.”

Ultimately, El Ansary was able to fulfill  — or at least begin — his childhood dream of discovering the world. “The study-abroad experience opened my eyes to an entirely new world that I didn’t even know existed,” he said.