Getting an IRP card is so tough! The process itself is so tough. I said this when I got my GNIB card made the first time, I still say it after so many years. But to be fair, the process has been streamlined so much, thanks to the Irish government. No more lining outside the Burgh Quay office at 4 in the morning. Yeah, you read it right. Those were the days :D

I never quite understood the use of PPS card when I first had it made, because I just never used it anywhere. But now that I look back it's a very important card. I'd definitely recommend working on getting both cards as soon as you come to Ireland.

I miss the days of Student Leap card with so many student discounts in bus fares, Boots, McDonalds and so many other places :D Lining up in Trinity college to get my student leap card. Never quite getting the picture cute.

It's funny how the cards I used back home changed so much after coming to Ireland. Be it the bank cards, or the IRP. Life just changed so much. What didn't change was the need to keep the cards safe while not being drowned in the bulk. That's why I recently invested in a Secrid wallet for all my precious cards. Didn't regret that one :) Stay safe, keep your cards safe :D Enjoy

I love Dublin Bikes to bits as a student. No denying that for a fact! If you're a student and living near Dublin city center, don't forget to subscribe to Dublin bikes. I'd suggest getting an annual subscription, it's around 20 bucks which is quite cost effective when compared to Dublin buses or dare I say, the taxis.

You can start using them immediately after having paid for them online. Make sure to install the Dublin Bike app to know about the closest terminal. Finding the closest available parking terminal is one of the only cons I could think of after having used it for about 2 years. I have wandered around many terminals trying to find a spot during rush hours. :D

But beats having to go through the hassle of buying a bicycle of your own. A few cons of buying your own bicycle:

• Expensive.
• You need to buy accompanying accessories like helmet, night time jacket etc unless you wish to be stopped by Gardai.
• Dublin is so infamous for having bicycles stolen. One of my friend lost it within record 5 minutes of her going into a store.
• If you're here only to complete a course, it's tough to get rid of it after sometime. Say you wish to sell it, it's tough to find a buyer for the price point you might have bought it for.

Wandering aimlessly around Dublin city centre, I realized how different the shopping culture and shops of Ireland were when compared to back home. Most of the stores I had never heard of, ever in my life! Be it Boots, Lidl, Tesco, it was the first time for me to go into these stores.

Of course you live and learn. It was easier for me because I had friends and family already living in Ireland who took me to the stores and gave me all the information I needed to easily shop around in Ireland. I wanted to be that person to someone who was coming to Ireland for the first time. :)

This video is quite comprehensive. I have covered major stores for Food, Electronics, Clothes, Euro stores, Pharmacies and Natural Health stores.

Yes my list does have Penney's in it. I think any student list for Ireland would be incomplete without it :D I hope you find this video informational. Enjoy.