Orientation #1: Logistics
  • I will send another Google form for students to fill out with flight info.
  • Fights:
    • Make sure passports are within required time from expiry. 
    • Trip US to Ireland:Michael Zappa will be on both preferred flights from the BOS to DUB and DUB to CFN and each student will need to check in with him multiple times throughout their travel and upon arrival at DUB
    • Students need to be to gate in plenty of time for DUB to CFN.
    • Make sure you have documents you need: passport, student ID, & NU enrollment letter 
  • Make sure you understand airport security process esp about electronics and fluids
  • Cash: We will use Euros (EUR) in Gweedore and Dublin and Great British Pound (GBP) in Derry and Belfast. 
  • Electronics
    • If you plan to bring electronics, personal care devices, or anything else that plugs in, you will need to determine if you need an adapter or a converter. 
    • For my phone and laptop I only need an adapter.
    • For hair dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners you need a converter. 
    • MAKE SURE YOU CHECK what you need with any devices you are bringing
  • Communication
    • We will be using WhatsApp to communicate
    • Canvas Announcements for Academic info (students will need to confirm they read it - more on this later)
    • Cell phones options
      • You will be required to download WhatsApp on your phone as we use this as our "in the moment" communication method while on the trip
      • using your US cell phone – pay extra to be able to use like a cell phone, give options using spreadsheet that Lauren gave us about different providers
      • using your US cell phone on wifi when available (Although Jeannie during orientation that you can use just wifi during the trip, she was unaware of NU’s Connectivity Requirements. So you will need to adhere to those which means you can not just rely on wifi.)​
      • Buy a burner over there 
      • Buy a sim card over there to put in your phone. You will need to figure out if one of their sim cards will work on your phone with respect to both the communication protocols and whether or not the service provider requires an unlocked device
  • Food:
    • They don’t have everything we have so if something is really important to you, you may want to check to see if they have it. A good place to check is Tesco’s website.
    • You should let us know if you have any dietary restrictions (preference such as vegetarian, allergies such as gluten, illness such as diabetes) and let us know if they’re concerned about anything food-related. 
    • They are fantastic at labeling menus for allergens and preferences… a lot better than here is the USA.
  • Over the counter medications – they don't have the same as what we have (e.g., no aleve, no ibuprofen, etc) and, although they address any issue you could be having, they definitely don’t have the variety we have. If there is something you need/want you should bring it.
  • Rooms 
    • Except for Teac Campbel, all rooms each hotel are the same. So everyone will have the same type of room. 
    • Each place provides linens and towels
  • Packing
    • For possible rainy or wet conditions: There’s a good chance that it will rain and, even if it isn’t raining, there are times when we could be in fields or other non-paved areas where your feet could get wet and you may have to wear them the next day. You may want to get hiking boots or have something to wear the next day. You may also want to bring a raincoat.
    • What if I forget something really important…
  • Overview of schedule (dates in each city, in class & free time, accommodations) and go over Amenities in Gweedore sheet in the schedule.