Tell us about you!
Where did you study abroad?
Dublin, Ireland
How did you choose your study abroad location?
I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Dublin because I am Irish and had travelled to Ireland before so it was a place I was already familiar with. I also wanted to study somewhere that I spoke the language.
Had you been out of the country before studying abroad? Do you speak the local language?
Did you plan anything ahead of time?
Bought the equal eats allergy cards for a variety of locations in addition to subscribing to their app for the cards I did not have. Through my program, I had the ability to submit an allergy accommodation request for the preferred housing although it wasn’t guaranteed. Luckily for me, I ended up having my own private kitchen within my individual room. I did a lot of research on what potential safe restaurants would be in addition to where the closest grocery and convenience stores would be near my housing accommodations. Fortunately, I was also able to have multiple sets of my epipens prescribed so I had plenty of back-ups incase anything was to happen.
Did you have any concerns about traveling with food allergies?
I was so anxious about traveling abroad, especially because I had only been out of the U.S. once before after my freshman year of high school. It was a challenge to overcome my fears but doing a lot of research prior to flying to any place really helped. My main concern was honestly where and what I was going to eat for those four months abroad–where would my new “normals” be. I overcame this concern with time after being in Dublin for a few weeks, which I think is pretty normal. Finding a routine also really helped to ease a lot of anxiety.
What airline did you fly? How did you handle accommodations and airplane food?
I flew Aer Lingus on a direct from EWR->DUB. I did not eat the plane food but you can request a special allergen safe meal.
Where did you live and how were meals handled?
I stayed in an apartment that was provided my program, CEA Capa. I had my own private kitchen within my room whereas the other 5 girls in my apartment shared a kitchen. I bought food from the ALDI or the Tesco on a weekly basis.
Grocery Stores: ALDI, Dunnes, Lidl, Tesco Express
Were there grocery stores that you felt you could safely shop at?
ALDI, Dunnes, Lidl, and Tesco Express
What are your 3 favorite places to eat in Dublin?
McCafferty’s at the Barge
The Hairy Lemon
Bambino’s
Fish & Chips! I had it at a variety of places but my favorite was probably at the Brazen Head or The Hairy Lemon!
What other places did you visit during your trip?
Brey, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Florence, Galway, Glasgow, Howthe, Interlaken, London, and Rome
Besides the food, were there any fun experiences or favorite things you did?
Guinness Storehouse Tour-Stoutie Experience. Vintage markets/flea markets, Merry Ploughboys Irish Music Night, Walking around St. Stephen’s Green.
Most if not all restaurants in Dublin have menus with an allergy key so that makes dining out much less stressful. If you are studying abroad with CEA CAPA you can ask for special accommodations although they may not be granted. Finding a few safe places during your first few days there will make the whole experience much smoother. A lot of the flights that you take out of Dublin into continental Europe don’t serve any food because the flights are so short so it is not really something you have to be worried about.
