You just arrived in a brand new country with nothing but whatever could fit in your suitcases. It’s likely you’ve never been the one in charge of feeding yourself, previously dependent on your parents or the DU dining hall. It’s weird, it’s overwhelming, and it’s one of the first big challenges of study abroad. I’m here to help guide you through it.
Here’s a rundown of my usage of the stores I’ve been to the most:
The best place to go on your first shopping expedition is the Tesco Superstore (not the Tesco Express, which only carries food). It’s a one-stop shop for all kinds of things, the perfect place to get what you need and couldn’t bring with you from home (I got towels, soap, a trash can, cleaning supplies, etc from there). Tesco is also the best place for groceries if you prioritize variety (and often quality) over cheap prices.
Lidl is the best place to get lower cost food. I’ve gone there every grocery shopping expedition after the first one. It doesn’t have the variety of Tesco, but it’s decent enough and better for saving money. Just be careful or you’ll end up like me: with armpits stained from the Lidl shopping bag (beware of dye transfer).
Normal is a good place for any personal products. It has a huge variety of soaps, shampoos, shaving equipment, makeup – anything to do with taking care of yourself, and at a pretty good price.
Dealz and and Mr Price are both good for affordable household goods. Mr Price has more food options than Dealz and Dealz has more clothing items than Mr Price.
Centras are everywhere and there will almost definitely be one next to where you’re staying. They’re very good for ready meals and things you need quickly, but they’re overpriced. I use my local Centra when I need to, but I do all of my primary shopping elsewhere.
You will probably be shopping a lot, since you get very little fridge space to store perishable items in the student accommodations. That being said, Cork is super walkable; I can get to basically any of the stores I listed in a 20-30 minute walk, and a very pleasant walk at that (Cork city is awesome for pedestrians).
It is hard to grapple with the reality that I have already been in Ireland for just over a month now, and consequently, I have to face that I only have about two months left. The time has simultaneously seemed to pass so fast and so slow. There is so much that I want to see and do that I often feel like I’m already running out of time to do them. But I’ve learned to slow myself down and appreciate the sight I’m seeing, or what I am doing, to make sure that I am present and that I am living the moment, that I am an active participant. I don’t want to end my study abroad journey reliant on remembering these experiences solely through the pictures I take. I want to be able to draw upon the physical memory in my mind and recall what exactly these experiences were like in the initial moment.
All that being said, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things around me. A big adventure isn’t absolutely necessary whenever I have the spare time. Sometimes just exploring the city around me is enough, and Cork City has a lot to offer.
Getting to know the city you live in, I feel, is a crucial part of the study abroad experience. It will teach you about the people you live with- students, locals, and tourists alike- and can put you in touch with the culture in a way that can be unique. Cork is different from Galway is different from Dublin. Cork, while a popular city, is less of a tourist destination than the other places I just mentioned, and therefore has given me a more unique, singular experience. Cork is a city of art and music and life in a way that feels genuinely authentic.
Cork By Day
Cork is a true city. There is something going on at all hours of the day, which surprised me at first. It seems like there are people running errands and going to the shops in the middle of the afternoon, even on weekdays. It’s not unusual to see entire families out, making a day of it.
There are so many food options, which I am constantly pleasantly surprised by. There are so many different restaurants and take-away spots that have their own unique personalities and feature a specific type of cultural cuisine: Italian, Indian, Chinese, French, etc. Cork is a melting pot city, after all, and there are so many great authentic spots if you’re ever in the mood for a specific type of cuisine. There are also several bakeries on each block, often just a storefront or two away from each other.
One of my favorite places in the city is Fitzgerald Park. It’s the perfect spot because it is so versatile- there are spaces within the park that feel different from one another. There are benches by the river in the shade, there are long stretches of grass lawn where you can sun yourself (when the sun decides to come out), and there is a lovely fountain that is the fixture of the park. There are benches set into carved alcoves surrounding the fountain, which makes it the perfect place to read. It’s also a great spot to people watch, if that entertains you.
Cork By Night
Night life- depending on the day of the week- can be a bit crazy. As UCC students tend to go home on the weekends, weeknights are usually very busy. Club culture is definitely a thing here, but in terms of the more laid-back scene, live music in the pubs is definitely a staple.
Our favorite spot is Dwyer’s, which has live trad (Irish traditional) music every Thursday night. I love listening to trad music because I feel like it helps me connect with the Irish culture. I’ve even started to recognize some of the songs in the universal repertoire, which makes the experience all the more genuine. The live music scene usually packs out the pub- to the point where it’s standing room only- but I’ve found that locals and tourists alike have no problem creating a dance floor from the small area before the band’s stage. The dancing feels like yet another mark of authenticity, and it creates an unforgettable atmosphere with the music. I already know that this will be a part of my experience that I am sorely going to miss once I get home.
Over this last month, I have met so many new people. Some have been from home, but a vast majority have come from all over the world: France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Peru, Sweden, and Bulgaria, to just name a few. I have seen so many new things and travelled to new destinations. I have started to learn so much about Irish traditions- thanks to some of my classes- and what every-day life is like for the people who were born and raised here. I find myself feeling extremely fortunate- lucky- every single day, and I can’t wait for what the next month might have in store.
