Welcome to Maynooth University Getting started at MU

Welcome to Maynooth University! Getting started at MU & adjusting to your new environment September 2018

Introducing the International Office (IO) • Team of 14 staff in Humanity House (South Campus) • Support >900 students annually from almost 100 countries • First point of contact for all international students (Erasmus, Study Abroad, full-degree UG & PG, summer schools etc. ) • Information and advice (visas and immigration, banking, PPSN & eligibility to work, on-campus services), letter requests, student support, social events and much more. • Support MU students and staff participating in international mobility programmes (Erasmus+, Study Abroad, etc. ) • Information and advice, management of application process, student support before, during and after studying abroad. • Please contact your Programme Director, academic department or academic support services about academic matters.

Contact Information Opening hours Mon - Fri 09: 30 -12: 30 Mon & Wed 14: 00 -16: 00 Website: https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/international First point of reference Email: international. office@nuim. ie Location: Top Floor, Humanity House, St. Joseph's Square, South Campus

Contact Information Facebook www. facebook. com/Maynooth. University. International Twitter @MU_Intl Pinterest https: //www. pinterest. com/nuim/ Instagramhttps: //www. instagram. com/maynooth. Uni_International/ Flickr https: //www. flickr. com/photos/142507522@N 07/

Adjusting to your new environment Studying abroad can change your life: 1. Gain a new perspective on the world; 2. Experience another education system & obtain an international degree; 3. Improve employment prospects; 4. Learn and refine decision-making and problem-solving abilities; 5. Develop intercultural competence; 6. Make new contacts and form lasting connections; 7. Increased confidence/independence; 8. Learn another language. But it can also be daunting at first…

Understanding Culture

Cultural Awareness

Cultural similarities & differences Political power Justice & fairness Crime & punishment Good behaviour Gender roles Child raising Religious beliefs Rituals & rites Economic organisation Division of labour Food preferences Artistic expression Ideas about love, friendship & truth Non-verbal & gestures Personal space Importance of time Individual vs collective

The Four Stages of Cultural Adjustment

Managing Cultural Adjustment DO… Be curious but non-judgemental; Be patient with yourself; Be flexible; Keep a regular schedule; Eat well, exercise, get enough rest; Set attainable goals; Talk about your concerns with a friend/mentor/ support services. DON’T. . . …fear the symptoms, it is normal! It means you are learning; …be afraid to make a mistake. It is inevitable, engage humour; …segregate yourself with others from your home country; …communicate too frequently with friends/family at home (skype/facebook); …be overly critical of the host culture – try to accept the differences even if you can’t agree with them.

Getting involved in student life Clubs & Societies Over 100 sport and non-sport groups run by students https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/campus-life/student-lifesport/clubs-societies Volunteering Many Societies and academic departments offer opportunities to get involved in volunteering programmes and events in the community, e. g. Saint Vincent de Paul, Galway Cycle, etc. Sports Facilities Range of indoor and outdoor facilities on campus https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/campus-life/sports Maynooth Students’ Union (MSU) Representative body for students https: //www. facebook. com/Maynooth. SU

Getting started at MU Accommodation • On-campus accommodation is full • Off-campus accommodation database (MU Home Finder Service) https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/student-services • Students’ Union & student noticeboards • International Office Facebook page & groups www. facebook. com/Maynooth. University. International • External resources www. daft. ie, www. myhome. ie, etc. • Word of mouth – talk to other students Academic Timetable • https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/exams/academic-examination-timetable

University Registration • • • Obligatory for all students (€ 100 fine for failure to register on time) Obtain student card (permits entry to University buildings, incl. Library) Obtain student number and user password (to access computer & web services) How? Step 1 Online pre-registration (email from Student Records & Registration Office) Step 2 Complete registration in person - See correspondence from Student Records & Registration Office for venue and time What to bring? - Passport or National Identity Card - Marriage certificate (if you wish to register in your married name) - Official university degree parchment or transcript of your UG degree - Evidence of Fee payment / Scholarship / Funding Note: You do not have to present your birth cert/passport or degree cert/transcript on the day of registration if you have already submitted these in advance. Note: Please provide full and correct home and study address!! More info: https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/records/student-registration

Immigration Registration • All non-EU/EEA passport holders must register with immigration services for an Irish Residence Permit- You must renew your Irish Residence Permit annually • Do not leave the country until your immigration registration is complete. • You can only register with immigration after you have registered as a student at MU. • Read carefully the immigration information on our website, especially with regard to required documentation: https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/international/key-information/visa-immigration • If you are living in Maynooth your appointment will be in Leixlip Garda Station. The booking system for Leixlip appointments is on Moodle. You will pre-enrolled on the International Office Immigration Moodle page, however you must confirm your appointment through the Moodle page. Appointments will be available online from 10 am on Monday 1 October – you will have to go into the page and pick one slot that suits you. It is important to attend the appointment you have selected.

Immigration Registration • We will automatically generate a letter for immigration and send to Leixlip Garda Station once you book your appointment. No need to request the letter. • If you are living in Dublin you will need to go to Burgh Quay INIS office Booking system for Dublin appointments (if you live in Dublin city or county) http: //www. inis. gov. ie/en/INIS/Pages/new-immigration-appointment-system An immigration letter has to be requested from the International Office for Dublin appointments. • The following link can be used for all letter requests: http: //forms. logiforms. com/formdata/user_forms/26711_5086176/93299/page 1. html ? cachebust=4955 • Letters are issued in 3 working days & can be collected from the IO Front Office.

Eligibility to Work • Non-EU/EEA citizens registered as full-time students at an Irish university/college are eligible to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) in semester. • Full-time work (up to 40 hours per week) is permitted from Dec 15 th – Jan 15 th and from June to September. • Finding a part-time job is not guaranteed. • Part-time jobs are advertised on notice boards in the Students’ Union, in newspapers and online. On-campus job opportunities are advertised on https: //www. maynoothuniversity. ie/campus-life/campus-job-opportunites

Help - information overload! Don’t worry, it is normal to feel a little overwhelmed! Help is at hand: - Pre-Arrival guide on IO website - Contact IO staff - Contact student support services Thank you for your attention