Seeking UCC insight

[Sparkler7]

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Hi!

I've been accepted to UCC! Yay! I'm so excited, I'm positively giddy! 😀

So, now I'm looking for any info that will help me prepare for the big move that's coming in September. While I've been reading through the old SDN posts, I was wondering if there were any UCC students or grads who would be willing to exchange emails and share their knowledge of Cork, UCC and their med experience?

Thanks!

Katherine

 

[Sage880]

Hi!

I've been accepted to UCC! Yay! I'm so excited, I'm positively giddy! 😀

So, now I'm looking for any info that will help me prepare for the big move that's coming in September. While I've been reading through the old SDN posts, I was wondering if there were any UCC students or grads who would be willing to exchange emails and share their knowledge of Cork, UCC and their med experience?

Thanks!

Katherine

Sure, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Send me a private message with any questions.

Congrats! I'm sure you'll love it!

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Ditto

 

[med2UCC]

Hi Katherine. I am a student at UCC so if you want information on the school you can e.mail me at [email protected] Congratulations.

Hi!

I've been accepted to UCC! Yay! I'm so excited, I'm positively giddy! 😀

So, now I'm looking for any info that will help me prepare for the big move that's coming in September. While I've been reading through the old SDN posts, I was wondering if there were any UCC students or grads who would be willing to exchange emails and share their knowledge of Cork, UCC and their med experience?

Thanks!

Katherine

 

[leorl]

Hi, congrats. If people have questions, can they please post them publically in this thread, and the same goes for people who are answering questions? That way we can all find out about UCC 🙂. There's a lot of info about the Dublin colleges and not so much about anywhere else.

 

[Sparkler7]

First of all, thank you to everyone who volunteered to help me! I appreciate all the time and advice that you're so freely giving.

My first questions have to do with accomodations.
1. Where do most first year international students stay: in one of the school residences or off-campus? Do most internationals move off-campus in upper years?
2. Which of the residences would you recommend? (ie: considering aspects like safety, noise, aesthetic appeal, proximity to campus/downtown, etc.)
3. I noticed that the occupancy period of the campus residences is from Sept. to the beginning of June. As June finds med students still in school doing clinicals, etc. (correct me if I'm wrong?), what do those living in residence do?
4. What are the major differences between housing in Ireland and housing in Canada? Was there anything that took you by surprise when you moved in or negotiated a lease?

Once again, thank you!

 

[Sage880]

First of all, thank you to everyone who volunteered to help me! I appreciate all the time and advice that you're so freely giving.

My first questions have to do with accomodations.
1. Where do most first year international students stay: in one of the school residences or off-campus? Do most internationals move off-campus in upper years?

Most stay in school residences. A couple got an apartment first year but it's hard when you don't know the city. All but a handfull move out of the student res after 1st year though. Cheaper to arrange a place but living in res for a year is fun and convienent while getting used to Ireland. There's enough of a change first year there that you'll like having the housing situation simple. They're nice too, own bedroom and bathroom in the new ones.

2. Which of the residences would you recommend? (ie: considering aspects like safety, noise, aesthetic appeal, proximity to campus/downtown, etc.)

They're all fine. Farranlea hall is on the far side of the city from campus. So it's a 25 min walk downtown and 15 to college. But it's new and nice and on the bus route. It's also close to a major dept store and grocery store.

The Spires is closer to downtown. 10 min to both downtown and college. Harder to get groceries but it's closer to a lot of the nightlife. More of a student area. It's hard to get a spot in the spires as a first year sometimes as well.

Castlewhite is right beside campus. Share a bathroom and they're older. Some lazy students love it because you can roll out of bed and into class. Victoria Mills is close as well and it's new. Think it's full already though.

Victoria Lodge is all 18 yo's and it's party central. I'd avoid it. The rest are fun but Vic Lodge is kinda crazy some nights. Nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there!

I'd say most people liked Farranlea Hall and The Spires the best. Both new and nice. Cork's small and everyone walks everywhere so you'll get used to it quickly.

3. I noticed that the occupancy period of the campus residences is from Sept. to the beginning of June. As June finds med students still in school doing clinicals, etc. (correct me if I'm wrong?), what do those living in residence do?

Yup, you're wrong. All the med students have gone home by whenever the lease is up. Unless you failed something. Then you have to stay and rewrite exams over the summer in an attempt to go on to the next year.

4. What are the major differences between housing in Ireland and housing in Canada? Was there anything that took you by surprise when you moved in or negotiated a lease?

In Canada, when someone says, "You owe this money on this date" they actually mean it. In Ireland, when they say that you have about 4 months grace and they often just forget. Everything looks so official on paper but it's not. Learn to fix things yourself. Pretending you play rugby gets you a discount on everything.

Once again, thank you!

No prob. Don't sweat the housing. Cork's so small that no matter where you live it'll be ok. You can fine tune location for the upper years.

 

[leorl]

Pretending you play rugby gets you a discount on everything.

👍

 

[med2UCC]

In order, some answers to your questions

First of all, thank you to everyone who volunteered to help me! I appreciate all the time and advice that you're so freely giving.

My first questions have to do with accomodations.
1. Where do most first year international students stay: in one of the school residences or off-campus? Do most internationals move off-campus in upper years?

Many students live on compus for their first year, as it can be fun trying to find an apartment in Cork from Canada or the US.
Many people move out in 2nd year and above, but some stay in student residences for longer - it kind of depends on your residence experience, and your previous renting experiences (I'm reluctant to deal with a student landlord again)

2. Which of the residences would you recommend? (ie: considering aspects like safety, noise, aesthetic appeal, proximity to campus/downtown, etc.)
3. I noticed that the occupancy period of the campus residences is from Sept. to the beginning of June. As June finds med students still in school doing clinicals, etc. (correct me if I'm wrong?), what do those living in residence do?

The manager of Farranlea Hall is excellent, and of the newer buildings Farranlea has the fewest structural problems. You can request who you get housed with, either by name or by preference (older student, non-smoker) abd Emma will try to match you as best she can. She is also good about storing stuff through term so you don't have to have your suitcases with you at all times. Wherever you live, get to know the receptionist really well, so when something does happen she already knows and likes you. Be polite.

4. What are the major differences between housing in Ireland and housing in Canada? Was there anything that took you by surprise when you moved in or negotiated a lease?

Housing is furnished. Read the lease carefully. Electricity is really expensive. Many houses are rented by the room so you have little or no control over who your room-mates will be. Make sure you iknow who is responsible for the TV license and other utilities.

Once again, thank you!

 

[Sparkler7]

Thank you for the housing insight! 🙂

My next question has to do with laptops. I think I read that students can buy computers after the term starts (some of the computer companies come by to peddle their wares?). Are the rates competitive or would I be better off buying a laptop at home (Canada) and bringing it with me? Are there any benefits to waiting and buying a laptop in Ireland when the computer representatives come to call?

Once again, thanks!

 

[leorl]

Pain in the ass to carry through airports, but definitely cheaper/better in the US. Desktops could be relatively on par, but laptops are quite expensive here, especially as the currency rate is still unfavorable.

 

[person2004]

Yup, you're wrong. All the med students have gone home by whenever the lease is up. Unless you failed something. Then you have to stay and rewrite exams over the summer in an attempt to go on to the next year.

This was not my experience. Often the medical students finish later than others and are allowed to stay in the housing until the exams are finished. There is an additional fee for staying on, but you can stay.
Also, if you have to resit an exam, you don't have to stay in Ireland. You just have to come back for the exam.

 

[med2UCC]

Definitely buy a laptop at home (Canada) since the Canadian dollar sucks against the euro, and laptops are much cheaper at home (unless the europ suddenly tanks to being worth less than a Canadian dollar, and I seriously don't see that happening!)

Thank you for the housing insight! 🙂

My next question has to do with laptops. I think I read that students can buy computers after the term starts (some of the computer companies come by to peddle their wares?). Are the rates competitive or would I be better off buying a laptop at home (Canada) and bringing it with me? Are there any benefits to waiting and buying a laptop in Ireland when the computer representatives come to call?

Once again, thanks!

 

[Sage880]

This was not my experience. Often the medical students finish later than others and are allowed to stay in the housing until the exams are finished. There is an additional fee for staying on, but you can stay.
Also, if you have to resit an exam, you don't have to stay in Ireland. You just have to come back for the exam.

You've not at UCC anymore though, right? I'm sure almost every year was done well before the end of exams. Not sure about the 4th years. Pretty sure they were done before but I don't know any 4th years personally.

None of the current UCC meds have ever had an extended exam period. Assuming you don't fail, you can leave when the residence lease is up.

 

[med2UCC]

Keep in mind though that you can be called for an oral exam in anatomy for top of the class status, and due to a weird quirk in the rules if you are called and decline, you automatically lose 20% of your mark. You can also be called for an oral if your mark falls within 1-2% of a higher or lower mark (i.e you score 69% and 1st class honours is 70% - you get called, decline, and now you have a 49% and have failed 😱 ). I know two people in 2nd year, Canadians, who had to do orals in Neuroanatomy on June 1st, well after the end of exams. To be safe, you really should stay until the end of the oral period, usually June 7th or there-abouts. If you are booking flights for June now, make sure you have a free change for the June flight. Otherwise you could get stuck with an extra charge because of the orals. Some people do just leave, but personally I think it is wiser to stick around at least until the anatomy orals are done. Biochem only does pass/fail oras, and the physiology department only requires you to stay for pass/fail orals (other orals are phrased as a request). You can stay in res if you need to, and if you are renting a room in a house you can usually work something out with the landlord.

You've not at UCC anymore though, right? I'm sure almost every year was done well before the end of exams. Not sure about the 4th years. Pretty sure they were done before but I don't know any 4th years personally.

None of the current UCC meds have ever had an extended exam period. Assuming you don't fail, you can leave when the residence lease is up.

 

[leorl]

That sucks that your vivas are that late after the exams. Ours are a week at max after the exams are done, usually they're 1-3 days after the exam.

 

[med2UCC]

Sucks indeed. Our exms finished on May 18th this year, anatomy was done on May 9th. Anatomy orals were announced May 25th, as were physiology (even though physiology exams were over May 4th) and the biochem list came out June 1st (last biochem exam was May 16th). You get a couple of weeks to stew, and then usually a week to prepare, and then a 10-20 minute oral to save your bacon. Added to the month off between the end of classes and exams in 1st and 2nd year, that's a lot of time to just be sitting around doing nothing (or going to London, Paris, Amstedam and anywhere else you can find a cheap flight to). In 3rd year and above, the April break is not as long, but there is still the whole waiting around for 3 weeks or so at the end of May waiting to find out about orals (and you don't usually get your actual marks until mid-June, so if you failed a course you are home before you find out!). It makes for a rather leisurely 1st and 2nd year, believe me.

That sucks that your vivas are that late after the exams. Ours are a week at max after the exams are done, usually they're 1-3 days after the exam.

 

[person2004]

I would recommend against buying a laptop at all right now. You won't be needing to type anything up anyway. You may like it for e-mail or whatever, but you have to pay $600-1500 for the computer, $100 to get a phone connection (each year since you have to move every year), a per minute charge to use your phone, and your connection still won't be great. Easier, cheaper, and faster to use the computers at school or at internet cafes. You really don't need a computer.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

You've not at UCC anymore though, right? I'm sure almost every year was done well before the end of exams. Not sure about the 4th years. Pretty sure they were done before but I don't know any 4th years personally.

None of the current UCC meds have ever had an extended exam period. Assuming you don't fail, you can leave when the residence lease is up.

We (4th years) were finished on May 30th with Psychiatry orals (mandatory for everyone in the class, worth 30% of the marks) and we got our exam results yesterday on the internet.

 

[Sage880]

We (4th years) were finished on May 30th with Psychiatry orals (mandatory for everyone in the class, worth 30% of the marks) and we got our exam results yesterday on the internet.

Congrats!.... assuming you did well! First years don't get exam results till June 14th. Sucks waiting.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

The results are sometimes up early so try logging on monday and they might already be up.

 

[Sparkler7]

Once again, many thanks to everyone for their insight!

My next question has to do with storage. I've read from past SDN posts that you shouldn't bring everything to Ireland and that it's common to buy a lot of necessities while over there. So, when it comes time to go home in the summer, what do you do with everything that you have acquired while in the country? I understand that this isn't a problem if you have an apartment or are leasing something, but what if you're staying in residence? Are there some kind of storage facilities available or do most people ship their goods home?

Thanks again,
Katherine

 

[leorl]

Most people find friends' apartments/houses/flats to leave some of their crap in 🙂. Befriend some Irish, they might be willing to keep somethings for you. And usually there's some of your friends who will stay for part of the summer and times of returning to Ireland overlap. It can be a hassle, but can be done. I think there is storage places you can rent, but these aren't very common, at least not to the same degree as back home. Besides, cheapest is always best.

 

[Sage880]

There are lots of storage places. And the residences will store your stuff. I think they wanted 50 Euro for the summer but like all bills in Cork, you only have to pay if they actually remember to bill you. I stored my stuff for free.

Most people find friends' apartments/houses/flats to leave some of their crap in 🙂. Befriend some Irish, they might be willing to keep somethings for you. And usually there's some of your friends who will stay for part of the summer and times of returning to Ireland overlap. It can be a hassle, but can be done. I think there is storage places you can rent, but these aren't very common, at least not to the same degree as back home. Besides, cheapest is always best.

 

[Sparkler7]

Again, many thanks! You won't believe exactly how grateful I am for your time and insight!

My next question has to do with the ISIC (international student id card). The ABP office mentioned in an email that buying the ISIC card was beneficial as it helped save money on airfare and other travel costs. Is this true? How does this card work?

Again, thank you!

 

[13538]

The ISIC card is a form of student ID that is recognised the world over. There's more info about it here: http://www.istc.org/

If you want to use student travel agents (eg- USIT http://www.usit.ie/) you need to have an ISIC card. Other travel agents, most noteably, Go4Less (http://www.go4less.ie/), don't require an ISIC card, just your university ID. The ISIC card also gives you discounts in certain stores, museums etc... Whether or not it's worth it is debatable...

More useful is the Student Travel Card (http://www.studenttravelcard.ie/). This gives you student discounts on trains, trams and buses and is worth getting...it pays for itself after a few uses...

Wait until you get to Ireland and you'll realise if you need an ISIC card and/or student travel card... 🙂

 

[Sage880]

Wait til you get there to get the travel card. There's one that's the same as an USIT card but works for the trains as well. If you're going to play on a sports team there (or plan to take a train for any reason) you'll want that card. You can buy it at any of the Irish schools on campus.

 

[Sparkler7]

Another thing that's been on my mind recently is the class dynamic at UCC. Can you tell me a bit about the makeup of the class (ie: foreigners & 'homegrowns', ages, etc.) and about how the different groups interact? Do most of the internationals group together or does everyone mix it up? Are there opportunities to get to know your peers well?

Thanks again!

Katherine

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

People mix fairly well. The only thing is that most of the socialising at night is in the pub so it presents a bit of problem for the muslims in the class.

However, during the day all the groups mix with each other. Plus, the dissection room day is great because 6 of ye can chat over a cadaver for a few hours!

 

[UCCs Tamara]

People mix fairly well. The only thing is that most of the socialising at night is in the pub so it presents a bit of problem for the muslims in the class.

However, during the day all the groups mix with each other. Plus, the dissection room day is great because 6 of ye can chat over a cadaver for a few hours!

ucc is good enough for mixing. I'm from cork and I love going to college in my local city. Dissection funny enough in first year is a great place to mix.( i wonder if kaptin krunch is who I think he/she is) There are loads of scocieties and to meet people from everywhere its vital to get involved. The choral scociety has members from everywhere imaginable. Irish social life is definatly pub orientated not necessarily drink orientated though which is a pity as the muslums cant get involved.

 

[UCCs Tamara]

Another thing that's been on my mind recently is the class dynamic at UCC. Can you tell me a bit about the makeup of the class (ie: foreigners & 'homegrowns', ages, etc.) and about how the different groups interact? Do most of the internationals group together or does everyone mix it up? Are there opportunities to get to know your peers well?

Thanks again!

Katherine

there is a good buddy system in ucc. Every first year student is allocated a second year student to be there buddy. But people need to make an effort. Alot of social events do involve alcohol. The med ball is brilliant and a must for first year students to mix. Plus its a very classy night and subsidised so we dont have to pay for everything!! Also in dissection 3rd year students help out and its a great place to get to know them and your fellow class mates. I found the histology lab great for meeting people too.
I really hope you enjoy first year in ucc as much as I did. I really miss it and cant wait for every1 to come back to me in cork. Im working in the city still for the summer but the place is not the same 🙁

 

[Rasmustown]

I apologize if this is off-topic. I am an American student who will be going to Dublin (not Cork) in September. I have never been there before, but I have only heard good things about it and two of my uncles went to medical school there. I have been reading about Ireland and it looks like a nice place to study and live for the next five years. I hope the information below will be of interest to other students who, like I was, may be apprehensive about moving to a strange country for the first time. If I am posting this to the wrong board or thread, please let me know. I am new to this.

Amy 🙂

"The Economist's 2005 quality-of-life index, which covers 111 countries, links subjective life-satisfaction surveys to objective quality-of-life measures such as material well-being, family life, political stability and job security.

The United States ranks No. 13 in terms of overall quality of life, even though it is No. 2 in terms of GDP per capita, just behind Luxembourg.
Ireland, which ranked fourth in the GDP-per-capita contest, tops the quality-of-life index. The research team reasoned that Ireland "successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new – material well-being, low unemployment rates, political liberties – with the preservation of certain ... modernity-cushioning elements of the old, such as stable family life and the avoidance of the breakdown of community."

 

[deleted21609]

I The research team reasoned that Ireland "successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new – material well-being, low unemployment rates, political liberties – with the preservation of certain ... modernity-cushioning elements of the old, such as stable family life and the avoidance of the breakdown of community."

My research team reasoned that a) Irish expectations are so low given their history that they are easily satisfied and b) they won't complain out loud about anything no matter how lousy. In Ireland getting kicked in the shin is considered a victory since you haven't been kicked in the b-lls.
On the other hand, I'm glad if they're actually happy and not ju8st tight-lipped.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

( i wonder if kaptin krunch is who I think he/she is) .

Well I'm definitely not a "she".

 

[dontbsme]

My research team reasoned that a) Irish expectations are so low given their history that they are easily satisfied and b) they won't complain out loud about anything no matter how lousy. In Ireland getting kicked in the shin is considered a victory since you haven't been kicked in the b-lls.
On the other hand, I'm glad if they're actually happy and not ju8st tight-lipped.

On behalf of the SDN members, can we implore you, yet again, to please refrain from such unhelpful, unsubstantive contribitions to this forum. You are serving no purpose except to reinforce our view of you as a very miserable young lady with a very large chip on her shoulders. Your schoolgirl-like comments are of no use to anyone on this board.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

On behalf of the SDN members, can we implore you, yet again, to please refrain from such unhelpful, unsubstantive contribitions to this forum. You are serving no purpose except to reinforce our view of you as a very miserable young lady with a very large chip on her shoulders. Your schoolgirl-like comments are of no use to anyone on this board.

Respectfully, etc.

Damn right!
We Irish people are never satisfied and we never stop complaining.

 

[deleted21609]

That's as close to a quote as I could remember from an Irish comic I heard. Maybe if you weren't so busy practicing speaking your newly invented personal vernacular with a fake accent you could take it as it was intended.
Later

 

[dontbsme]

That's as close to a quote as I could remember from an Irish comic I heard. Maybe if you weren't so busy practicing speaking your newly invented personal vernacular with a fake accent you could take it as it was intended.
Later

More silly schoolgirl nonsense. One cannot decipher an accent from such a forum and the "vernacular" being used is English - my third language. It makes sense, of course, that, having been raised in a colony in which the English language has been bastardized for centuries, you do not recognize it.

We all became very tired of your personal axe-grinding a very long time ago. If you cannot contribute something of worth to this forum, please find another one in which to vent your ongoing frustrations. Your comments are decidedly unhelpful to SDN members and, dare I say, even more distasteful.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[deleted21609]

A. You should look up vernacular. English is not a vernacular.

B. English has never been a pure language. Your comments show your ignorance. Though English gets it's name from England, the language is influenced by Latin, Greek, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, Italian, Malay, Dutch, Farsi, Nahuatl, Sanskrit, Yiddish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tupi, and Ewe.
The 50 million residents of England are a small minority of the 650 million native speakers of English, so they have an understandably small influence on the continued evolution of our language. If you choose to speak like the characters in the Victorian literature you read in your English-as-a-foreign-language classes, that's your choice. It's a choice that makes you sound like a pompous fool. 🙁 Modernize.



The Med Ball is a lot of fun, but it'd be better if you knew everyone ahead of time. Societies are good for meeting different people but not necessarily for meeting your classmates. The best way to get to know you class is to go to the pub any time there's a class party. If you don't drink, I would reconsider moving to Ireland -that or start drinking. Seriously, Irish social life revolves around the pub. If you're not part of that scene, then you've cut out 90% of your social opportunities.
Many Irish students continue to hang out with people they knew before starting med school. Most of the international students hang out in one of two groups, muslim or non-muslim. That isn't to say I didn't have some really good irish and muslim friends, but the overall group breakdown is as obvious as in a teen movie.

 

[dontbsme]

A. You should look up vernacular. English is not a vernacular.

I am aware that English is not a vernacular, young lady, and that is why I placed the word within quotation marks in my pevious posting. How embarassing for you to have made yet another awful blunder at which the SDN members can chuckle. We could not hope for a more abundant font of "chuckle-fodder" than you.

We are all quite amazed that you believe you can determine a person's accent and way of speaking from an internet forum. Please tell us all more about these amazing powers you purport to possess.

In closing, we are pleased to see that you have chosen to return to more topical issues within this forum and look forward to more of these.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Everyone is rather serious this week.



Giggle!

 

[deleted21609]

As stated before, I am assuming that you speak with a fake accent (and you don't deny it). It's easy to believe that your accent would be fake since your word choices are so artificial. You obviously think you sound clever, but you are mistaken.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Oh dear.

This forum seems to be turning into a debate on the English language and its variants.

 

[leorl]

It always degenerates. Let's talk more about UCC eh? I was just in cork (inniscara) for the rowing national championships...what a fantastic weekend, I got sooo tan. Went out to Havana on Friday night, good club - have speakers in the floor so you're literally feeling the music. Good place. Nearly got into a fight though and choice of company was a bit dodgy! Was staying in Victoria Lodge, every time I stay there I marvel at how fantastic the residences are there.

 

[leorl]

Oh and WHAT is up with Cork city not having any taxi's out at like 3 am?! that's so not cool

 

[Sparkler7]

Interesting topic brought up by the thread!
What sights, sounds and amusements can be found in Cork?
Which pubs do most students lounge in? Which offer the best entertainment?
And aside from the pub scene, where can med students find relief from the gruel of academia?

As always, thanks for your input!

K

 

[dontbsme]

As stated before, I am assuming that you speak with a fake accent (and you don't deny it). It's easy to believe that your accent would be fake since your word choices are so artificial. You obviously think you sound clever, but you are mistaken.

There you go making incorrect assumptions again. Please explain to us all what is an "artificial" word choice. Is not your diatribe regarding the origins of the English language (above) a sad attempt to convince us all that you are clever?

Now, as Leorl, has kindly requested, please return to matters concerning UCC.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[deleted21609]

truth hurts. take your own advice. fncnt


The popular bars change frequently, so I wouldn't have any to recommend right now. Apart from pubs there are more pubs, more pubs, and cinema

 

[dontbsme]

truth hurts. take your own advice. fncnt


This is utter gibberish. Please use proper English in this forum. Thank you.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[leorl]

Oh my god. That's enough, you two, this is past the point of being silly. This is a forum for giving plain and simple info. to those who want it, not chiding each other about proper English or vernacular, or even grammar! If people want to, they can post in ebonics for all anyone cares, as long as they're giving legit opinions/facts.

dontbsme, you and others in this forum might not agree with student.ie's opinions, but he/she is still entitled to them, and entitled to express them. They should not be disregarded immediately just because they often go contrary to what a lot of SDNers in Ireland think. And at least he/she contributes to the actual topic at hand. Plus, if in fact you actually "speak" as you do in real life as you do on here, I'm amazed you haven't gotten the crap kicked out of you yet (ok, exaggeration, but you get the gist).

student.ie, for god's sake don't goad dontbsme on, the rest of us don't wanna see a bunch of affected English and nitpicking for the rest of the thread! And maybe try and see things more through the rose-colored glasses of reality (without going overboard). Surely, not all your experiences here were that negative, you must have found some sort of happiness here otherwise you would have found a way to either transfer to another place or commit suicide...