Guy Flouch from EUNiCAS with Clare Youth Service staff and young people getting ready to showcase Study Abroad options during European Youth Week
OPTIONS to study abroad for Clare students will be outlined at a special showcase for European Youth Week this Friday in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis.
As well as course options, the event will provide relevant information on the fees and grants as well as simple hints on the application process.
Whilst there is no official record kept of the number of Irish students studying abroad, the Ennis-based EUNiCAS estimates it to be around 4,000.
EUNiCAS is an independent application support service that helps students from Ireland and throughout the EU to secure a place in the third-level programmes of their choice.
Its founder and head, Guy Flouch, cites costs and points as two main factors in students from Ireland choosing to go abroad. Other reasons include English as the language of tuition and the quality of the courses available.
In many EU countries, entry requirements are lower than those set by the CAO system here. The cost of attending many universities is often much lower than registering for an equivalent programme in Ireland, including and especially at postgraduate level.
For many students, the experience of going abroad itself is invaluable. Students rate study abroad and work placement as having a significant impact on their personal development.
Most importantly, study abroad can lead to improved career and employment opportunities. Research conducted by the European Commission (EC) for example found that former Erasmus+ students were less than half as likely to be unemployed within their careers.
The Clare Youth Service event, in association with EUNiCAS, takes place this Friday May 1st at the Temple Gate Hotel from 6pm to 8pm. All young people over 16 years are welcome as are parents and guardians. Entry is free.
All Clare Youth Service events are drug and alcohol free. Further information is available from Clare Youth Service’s Moya Hannigan on 085 8726293 or mhannigan@clareyouthservice.org
