Dublin: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

Dublin is an amazing city that captured my heart just as much as London. It is unique, unlike other capitals, colorful, small, and very soulful. It is worth noting the fickle weather; it changes many times a day, but that doesn't spoil the bright impression at all. You can probably walk across all of Dublin in one day—it is that small—but the city center deserves special attention. It is a hub of pubs and clubs; every evening, a noisy crowd of tourists and locals migrates from one drinking establishment to another, and the streets are full of musicians and other various street performers :) Here in Dublin, you will find the Guinness brewery, where the legendary Irish beer is produced; you can take a tour and observe the process of creating the drink. But more than the city's entertainment, I was struck by the surrounding nature. Ireland is a stunning country of green fields with peacefully grazing herds of sheep, picturesque mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and an abundance of places that seem untouched by civilization. On one of my three days in Dublin, I went to just such a place—Glendalough. It is located about an hour's drive from the city and is simply stunning in its beauty. We spent the whole day there, tirelessly exploring such breathtaking terrain. Returning to the city in the evening, despite the fatigue, we decided to head to the Temple Bar area—the city center, where an atmosphere of fun and carefree socializing always reigns. I haven't met such open and good-natured people as in Dublin for a long time. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go to the ocean to see the Cliffs of Moher this time, but next time this place will be a mandatory stop on my itinerary!

My decision to participate in the program was quite sudden - in November 2014, the IEC center was offering special promotional terms for several programs to celebrate its anniversary. The cost of the courses was only $100, and without hesitation, I decided to go to London to improve my language skills, while of course not missing the opportunity to see the city and its surroundings. I chose the period from May 16th to 31st, which is quite favorable - the city is not yet overcrowded with tourists, and the weather is already almost summer-like. I had enough time to prepare for the trip, so after studying nearby tourist destinations, I decided to fly to Dublin for the weekend during my stay in London. So, tickets are purchased, accommodation is booked, and I am ready for an unforgettable vacation :)

Finally, the long-awaited Monday morning arrived—my first day at Edgware Academy. I chose the Covent Garden branch, though there was an alternative on Edgware Road. My schedule was Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; I chose this to dedicate my afternoons to exploring the city. There is also an afternoon option, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM (I believe). No matter how hard I tried to arrive by 8:45 AM, I unfortunately ended up late, as the London Underground is quite confusing for someone from Moscow, where each station only serves one line and each platform only goes in one direction. Fortunately, my 15-minute delay on the first day was met with understanding; the lovely receptionists asked me to fill out a form and a placement test, followed by a short chat with one of the teachers, David. Based on the test and the interview, I was placed in an Intermediate group and was able to join the class for the second half of the session. Our teacher was a fantastic woman named Sarah, who managed to explain new topics with ease and clarity, engaging all students in active learning through games and discussions. Sarah has been teaching at Edgware Academy for about two years; she is a native speaker and a very skilled teacher who pays attention to every student, providing a somewhat personalized approach. Classes usually consisted of several parts—grammar, speaking, and reading comprehension—covering a wide range of topics relevant to students, such as "job hunting," "cinema," "hobbies," and more. I was surprised and pleased by the diversity of the students—there were representatives from several countries: Turkey, Italy, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, France, and I was the only one from Russia in our group. There were about 15 students in total, aged from 19 to about 45 :) The school's convenient location allowed me to walk to the city's main attractions after class. For three days in a row, I visited the British Museum—a huge collection of fascinating world masterpieces that is impossible to see in one go. On other days, it was nice to walk along Piccadilly, watching street dancers, or cycle to St. Paul's Cathedral and wander through the interesting narrow streets of this unhurried city. In general, London is very different from Moscow in its composure and measured pace of life, which is immediately noticeable. But that's all about the city by day; at night, it seems to come alive :) The countless pubs and clubs on Piccadilly, filled daily with visitors stopping by for a pint or two of beer, are also a distinctive feature of the metropolis. People come here to socialize, relax after a workday, or just unwind. My "classmates" and I decided not to fall behind the locals, and as a result, we visited more than one colorful pub during our time there :) The school also organized parties and club outings, but to my great regret, I couldn't make it to them—I had a flight to Dublin scheduled during one of them. So, after my first week at school, I flew to Ireland for the weekend, as currently, those who hold a UK visa (General class) can enter Ireland with it.