Hey everyone,

It’s been quite 2 month that I arrived here in Dundalk, and I never present you my University. I am sorry about that and I will just present you the campus.

 Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) formerly Regional Technical College is a 90-acre (360,000 m2) campus situated in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Belfast (each approximately 80 kilometers away).

"The University was one of the original network of Regional Technical Colleges set up in the 1970s with an emphasis on business, engineering and science. Over the past decade and a half, the Institute has expanded its amount of programs to include hospitality, humanities, music, creative arts and nursing. Mister Denis Cummins has been President of the Institute since 2006"

"Apprenticeship courses have long been a feature of the Institute, there has been continual expansion in the Apprenticeship provisioning the electrical, carpentry and plumbing fields. Every years, there is 5 000 students".

The Institute has four Schools. Each school has its building. Most of the time, I am in the Business and Humanities building, a huge one. Nevertheless, I have also lessons in the School of Engineering (Quantities Techniques)

The four schools at DKIT are:

1. School of Business and Humanities compose by Department of Business Studies, Department of Humanities, Department of Management and Financial Studies and the Section of Hospitality Studies

This is my building (Business and Hospitalities), where there is also the Librabry

2. School of Engineering compose by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Construction and Surveying and the Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering

·       3.   School of Informatics and Creative Arts compose by the Department of Computing and Mathematics, the Section of Creative Media, the Section of Music and the School of Health and Science.

·       4.   Department of Applied Sciences compose by the  Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies and the Section of Midwifery.

Finally, on the campus, there is a wind-turbine which produces more than 50% of the electricity necessary for the University. My accommodation is also on the campus, I have to walk for five minutes to be in my building.

 I hope you enjoying those information about my Erasmus University, I will present you next time the facilities available on the campus 

See you soon, 

Victor ^o^ 

Hey everyone, 

As I promise you in my last article, this is the report on the facilities available in DKIT 

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to underline and emphasize the facilities in DKIT. It is focused on the information available on the DKIT’s website and on views expressed by the international students who were interviewed.

Students services

On the whole, students were surprised to discover that there is a bank on the campus. It is extremely useful to have one. For instance, students want to buy something on the café, students go to the cash machine and it is done. Usually, students tend to go to the city in order to withdraw cash while, here is the campus there is a bank. Hence, most of the students and teachers find it convenient.

Besides, there is also a shop. In it, you can purchase stationary, confectionaries, books and DKIT gift. According to the students, the shop is a pleasant alternative between two classes for buying something to eat when the queues are too long at the café (which is expensive).

Finally, there is a café which offers many products from different countries (croissant, scone, carrot cake, muffin, tea…). Nevertheless, the café is expensive. Therefore, most of the students prefer eating in their home when they can.

The students services in DKIT are quite different from many Erasmus Universities, are they are extremely pleasant.

Library

There is one significant library which suggest a large amount of books. Nevertheless, according to International Students they have also several books on their home library. However they have not as many computers as here.

Indeed, the library is a quiet place where students may work. Thus, there are many computers with free access in the library (Students/teacher need to connect with their ID). Nevertheless, it is hard to find a free one. It is convenient the exam time and quieter than in student accommodation.

Finally, students and teacher can borrow DVD/Series from the library. It is a convenient service for the International Students who want to increase their English level.

In short, the library is one of the most peaceful places in DKIT where students can work and improve their English.

Sports

DKIT has a wide range of sports facilities, both public and private. There is a gymnasium and five pitches where students play football, rugby, hurling or Gaelic football (both typical Irish sports) or athletics (around the field).

Furthermore, DKIT offers a room where students can work out. They have to pay 10 euros for using it while others sports are free. In the gymnasium students do Zumba, kick-boxing, taekwondo, yoga, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, basketball…

There is a timetable for all the activities. Those activities tend to be extremely popular in the DKIT while, there is a large amount of sport that student cannot do because they have lessons. It is pity!

Conclusion

To sum up, DKIT is well-provided with facilities for a university in a town of the Dundalk’s size and these are well-used by the students on the whole. Sports seems to be the most popular leisure in DKIT while the timetables do not allow students to do the sport they want.

Perhaps, DKIT might ask students which sport they want to do and then give them their schedule. It is also recommended for the Student School Association that they suggest attractive price for Irish national event: in sport (rugby, hurling, Gaelic football) or greyhound race like the University does sometimes for some trip. 

I hope that you enjoyed this article, 

See you soon; next time I will present you in different article all my trip that I have already done 

Regards, 

Victor ^o^