holladayski

My daughter will be in a Master's program in Dublin (at NCAD) for one year, starting in September. We are wondering if she needs to open an account at an Irish bank to take care of living expenses like rent. During her past travels, a credit card and debit card have worked well, but she never had large monthly expenses like rent to pay. We've done a wire transfer to her school for the first tuition payment, but would rather avoid the $40 fee to do that in the future. It sounds like a local Irish bank account may be the solution, but don't know how complicated it is to open an account. I've heard it's become more difficult/impossible for foreign nationals to open bank accounts (security, money laundering, etc.), so don't know what other options we'll have if that's the case. Grateful for any suggestions!

DebbieDoesDulles

If ATM cards are what she's used to , she'd probably be more comfortable continuing that way.....for large expenses like rent she might have to withdraw cash over a few days, though she probably wouldn't want to use cash to pay the rent I suppose. You could also give her traveler's checques which are not accepted anywhere really, but can be exchanged at the bank for a bank check to pay her rent. (This is assuming that opening a bank account would be a problem, which I have no idea about.) I would imagine that the school would have some advice for her.

Cathinjoetown

Does she have a place to rent? Leaving it somewhat late, if not.

First is to find out how the rent is to be paid, what is acceptable to the landlord.

In parallel, start now researching opening an account. Bank of Ireland would be an obvious start and branches of US banks with a presence in Dublin or partnerships. What does the school recommend? She can't be the first to want an account.

Padraig

Life is easier to manage with a local bank account. It is the norm for rent to be paid electronically bank-to-bank, and cash payment is considered suspect behaviour. It can be bothersome to open a bank account in Ireland; you normally need proof of an established address, which your daughter will not have.

The major banks have student branches close to third-level institutions, with specialist services and a student services officer/advisor. I'm not aware if there is such an arrangement close to NCAD, but I do know that there is a student section in Bank of Ireland, College Green, close to Trinity College and about a mile from NCAD.

The larger colleges also have an advisory service for oversea students. I have had a look at the NCAD website, and it's unclear whether or not they do. There seems to be an "International Unit" in the college and it might be worth your daughter's while engaging with them.

As Cathinjoetown has suggested, accommodation might be an issue. There is a shortage of rental property in Dublin suitable for students. There are some locations near NCAD where only streetwise people should go.

colduphere

Two of our children opened bank accounts while attending school in Europe in the past year. Both were very easy to open.

We set up an account with a foreign exchange company to save money on currency exchange costs. That might be worth a look in your case depending on how much you will be transferring.

holladayski

Thanks for all of your replies-- we've been looking for a place since June, when she received her acceptance. We've found that most places to let don't advertise until the month before they're available, some with even less notice. She has been emailing, but most places require her to attend a viewing (I'm assuming to check her out- understandably these days). She plans to fly over this week to view places that are available. She'll also be checking in with her school and and probably the Bank of Ireland to get those questions answered.

Padraig, would you mind being a little more specific about the areas around NCAD where only streetwise people should go? She spent a week at NCAD when she studied abroad, and stayed in a hostel when she returned last year on a backpacking trip. She felt safe then, but was either with a group or with a friend. She'll be on her own this time.

Padraig

I'd like to help more, to the extent that my knowledge of the area is up to date - I don't visit there very often. But I don't think this is the appropriate forum.

You (or she) can email me by using my username here + [email protected]. It's an old address that I don't use much (too much spam) but if you put NCAD in the subject line I'll check for it.