After being in Dublin and studying at UCD for about a month, I’ve found that I’m adjusting well to the many differences here. While there were some differences I anticipated, there were also quite a few that caught me off guard. Overall, it has been a great experience learning how to navigate a different school system and a new city.
The most immediate change was the class structure. At GW, we’re used to the consistency of Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday blocks. At UCD, my schedule seems random—different times and different buildings every single day. I quickly learned that Sunday is when I have to write down what classes I have each day, at what time and where.
Beyond the scheduling, the sheer scale of the classes was a massive adjustment. At GW, I’m used to smaller, major-specific courses where the intimate setting almost forces you to stay engaged. Stepping into a UCD lecture hall with 250+ students was a different world. At first, without that direct face-to-face accountability from a professor, I found it was much easier for my mind to wander. I realized quickly that I had to be far more intentional about my focus; I had to choose to be attentive and active in my learning, rather than relying on the small-class environment to do that work for me. It was a challenge at first, but it definitely sharpened my ability to concentrate in any environment.
But the real adjustment was autonomy. Back in D.C., weekly homework assignments acted as a safety net to keep me on track. Here, the grade often rests on a few long-term projects and a final exam. At first, the lack of busywork felt like "free time," but I quickly realized the responsibility had simply shifted. To succeed here, you have to be your own professor, reviewing notes and engaging with the material without a deadline looming over your head.
Navigating UCD was another hurdle. While GW is integrated into the D.C. urban grid, UCD is a massive, self-contained campus. I am lucky to live in a dorm close to the academic buildings, but finding my way through the campus is in stark contrast to the predictable blocks of Foggy Bottom. However, the tradeoff is worth it. The campus is beautiful, filled with hidden pockets to study, grab a coffee, and actually feel like part of a massive student community.
At GW, the monuments and the Tidal Basin are my backyard. In Dublin, I initially felt a bit "stuck" on campus, realizing that the city center is a 35-minute bus ride away rather than a quick walk. But mastering the Dublin Bus system was my first real win. Once I figured out the routes, the city opened up to me. I even found some good trails by campus that I can take a walk on whenever it is nice outside.
While I miss my sunset walks around the Lincoln Memorial—especially since the Irish rain is quite persistent—I’ve traded the Tidal Basin for the cliffs and trails of Europe.
In just four weeks, I’ve hiked the Howth peninsula, marveled at the Cliffs of Moher in Galway, and even hopped over to London for a weekend. Academically, I’m learning to be more self-reliant; personally, I’m learning to embrace the rain and the "grand" Irish pace of life, and not letting a little(or a lot) rain stop me from exploring. It’s a different kind of independence than the one I found in D.C., and I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the semester shapes me.
Vivian Low
Spring 2026
GW Exchange - University College Dublin
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Mechanical Engineering Major