Tag: travel blog

GNIB Registration — AKA Hell on Earth

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Ireland, Visas5 Comments

Hello all! As I’ve just gotten onto the right sleep schedule, I’m ripe and ready to crank out the blog posts on all I’ve learned in the past few days. One topic being the dreaded GNIB or Garda National Immigration Bureau. When you receive your Working Holiday Authorization, it informs you that you have to register with the GNIB within 90 days of entrance by going to their office in Dublin, which is over by the Liffey. Once you do this, you’ll be given a GNIB card, which is necessary to have as a form of proof of ability to work. What they don’t tell you is that this process is by no means as easy as it sounds.

First of all, the GNIB is only open Mondays and Tuesdays from 8am-9pm. While this time period seems long, you have to get there VERY EARLY in order to be seen. Each day, they give out a certain amount of appointment numbers and if you arrive too late, you may not be able to get a slot.

While the office opens at 8am, it is extremely important you get there early to procure a spot in line. I would suggest arriving at 6am or earlier if you want to get in and out before they close. I know this sounds absurd, but people sleep overnight to get spots, and many arrive between 5am-6am.

I personally arrived at about 5:45am, and ended up with the appointment number 95, which was lucky as I saw others who got numbers in the 200s.

When the GNIB opens, they’ll slowly start letting people inside. You’ll queue up in order to get your appointment number, and once you have this, you sit and wait until the screen flashes your number. This can take a very long time. I was in the door at 8:10am and was in the second group of people they let in, and I wasn’t seen until around 12:30pm.

Once your number is called, you will walk up and speak to a representative. Make sure you have…

  • Your passport
  • Your Working Holiday Authorization
  • An Irish address and phone number for them to have on file
  • A credit card/debit card to pay the €300 fee

From there they’ll have you pay the fee and take your picture for your GNIB card (which looks just like any sort of identification card). They’ll hold on to your passport while you go back to the waiting room.

At this point in the process you’ll have to wait until they call your name over the loudspeaker. It is good to sit in the far corner of the room during this process (over by the entrance to the bathroom) because the speaker is the best there and it’s easier to hear your name called. It took about 2 hours for this to happen in my case, with them presenting me with the card (and returning my passport) at about 2:30pm.

All in all, I spent 9 hours at the GNIB in order to fully complete the process. You are allowed to leave while everything is processing, however if you miss your appointment that would be on your head. I was personally too nervous to leave during my time, but a very kind friend brought me coffee, which was a relief. Definitely bring a book, your iPod or a laptop to use, because the waiting is basically like the DMV on crack.

So, in conclusion, the GNIB is like the 9th circle of hell, but once you do it you’ll be home free (JUST DON’T LOOSE YOUR CARD!!). So when it comes to the Immigration office, may the odds be ever in your favor…

**Side note – Avoid the bathroom at all costs as it is terrifying. The whole thing is lit up blue with a strobing light overhead in order to apparently keep people from shooting up (?????!!!!). Excuse me while I continue to have stress nightmares about peeing there.

***Second side note – I went on the 4th of July and never have I enjoyed the concept of freedom better than when I walked out of the GNIB doors, I literally almost kissed the dirty pee-stained sidewalk (I didn’t though, for the sake of dental hygiene).

 

Dublin Week 1 – First Impressions

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Ireland, Travel, VisasLeave a comment

After planning and worrying endlessly about my gap year, I’ve finally arrived in Dublin and settled in. I’m living in an area called Portobello, which is a pretty hip and generally nice area of the city near the canal. So far I’ve frequented a few pubs and coffee shops and set myself up nicely (however, spoiler alert, normal filtered coffee is very rare around here, the closest you can usually get is an Americano).

The Stint housing is absolutely amazing. If you’re thinking of doing a gap year in Dublin or even an internship (as they coordinate those as well) I would highly recommend contacting them about their program. Not only is it centrally located, its decked out. When I arrived last Tuesday, completely disheveled from my long flight, I walked into the house and immediately felt at home. The kitchen and living room are nice and spacious, perfect for movie nights or casual hang outs in the evening. There’s a nice little back patio with furniture to sit about and a grill, which we used successfully for our Fourth of July party! My room has a terrace outside where I can sit out and relax, that is, when the weather isn’t being bipolar.

Stint arranged a cab to pick me up at the airport and bring me to the house, which was a relief, and the driver gave me a very handy update on the Brexit (which is all anyone is talking about around here). Then I was met by Melanie, the head of the Stint program, who gave me the tour and a little swag bag that had a water bottle, some much needed instant coffee, a map of the city and other little odds and ends. She was very kind to me despite my deliriously tired state, which I was thankful for because I looked like a garbage person I was so bedraggled .

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I’ve found the best place to shop for groceries around here seems to be Lidl, which is just down the street a ways from the flat in another younger/hipper area called Rathmines. There’s also Tesco Express, which is good but a tad bit more expensive.

One of the things that struck me, especially in the few days of adjusting, was how hard it is to find certain things in the shops around here. It took me about four days to find a place that had notebooks, pens and tape. There’s also a very limited selection of shampoo/bathroom essentials at the grocery store so it’s best to try to find yourself a pharmacy. No Walmarts to be found in Dublin!

Here’s a little guide that I made to where to buy different items around Portobello…

Groceries: Lidl, Tesco/ Tesco Express, Aldi

**Helpful tip – you have to bring your own shopping bag or they charge you for one

Shampoo/Conditioner, Bathroom Essentials: Boots, pharmacies (there are a bunch of privately owned pharmacies around that usually carry all your basic items)

Office Supplies: Eason

**Eason also has books

Clothes: Penney’s (very cheap, kind of like Forever 21, they also have homeware), TopShop, H&M

Makeup: Boots, Penney’s (cheap but a pretty large selection, with some toiletries as well), Lush (more expensive)

That’s my mini guide to shopping, but if there’s anything I forgot shoot me a comment. I’ll be posting about my experiences registering with the Garda Naturalization and Immigration Bureau (or GNIB) and getting my GNIB card, which will be a doozy of a post because it was a hellish experience. More to come!

 

 

Working Holiday Visa Requirements – Update

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Ireland, Travel, VisasLeave a comment

Hello all!

Less than two weeks until my arrival in Ireland and I’m just now letting the packing-themed panic set in.

To avoid thinking about outlet converters, sleep schedules and how many pairs of underwear I can fit into one suitcase, I’ve decided to do a post on the newly updated requirements for the Irish Working Holiday Authorization for USA natives.

So, a little while ago I posted about the various requirements for a United States college student/graduate to be able to work abroad in Ireland. While most of the requirements hold true to my previous write up, there have been a few changes made, which are reflected in their new website format.

To clarify these, I’ll list out all the requirements below…

  1. The first step is completing the application page provided by the Irish Consulate which can be found at this link. It’s pretty basic information and can be filled out fairly easily.
  2. A photocopy of the applicant’s US passport, which must be valid for the entirety of the stay in Ireland.
  3. Two identical passport photos with the applicants name on the back. These can be done at most CVS or Walgreens stores.
  4. A current resumé with at least TWO references (before it said “references” and now it stipulates the number).
  5. Evidence that the applicant is in secondary-education or has graduated in the past twelve months. I ordered a copy of my official transcript from my university as proof.
  6. An original bank statement proving that you have at least $4,000 (this is also different, before it was you needed proof of either $4,000 or a return plane ticket and proof of $2,000).
  7. A money order or cashier’s check (no personal checks) for the allotted amount based on which embassy you are sending your application to.

Finally, if your application is accepted which should take anywhere between 6-12 weeks, you have to send them further materials including…

  1. Return airline ticket (which doesn’t have to be back to your original country, just out of Ireland).
  2. Certificate of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Ireland (check with your insurance company on their policy for travel abroad and see if they can email you an official proof of coverage document).
  3. The applicant’s Passport.

So there you have it! I didn’t want anyone to read my previous post and think they were sending the wrong documents. Make sure to send your info early, as mine took eight weeks to process! Any questions don’t hesitate to comment.

~Irish Consulate Website Link~

 

 

Working Holiday in Ireland – Next Steps

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Ireland, Travel, VisasLeave a comment

I have finally received my Irish Working Holiday Authorization! After many emails and calls to the consulate and more than one mini panic attack, I have in my hand the laminated piece of paper that will give me the ability to work for an entire year. 

I sent the application in March 18th and received my acceptance on May 25th. At this point I was required to send the consulate copies of my plane tickets (to and from Ireland) as well as proof of insurance for the duration of my time period there.

After emailing them the same day with copies of the documents requested, I was pleased to discover my WHA in my hands by May 27th! 

All in all it took a little over eight weeks to get approved. So, if you’re planning your year abroad, make sure to apply at least 2 months ahead of your departure date. It seems it was actually a blessing in disguise that I didn’t do the Au Pair position I initially hoped for, because both my passport and working authorization wouldn’ve still been processing within the Irish Consulate!

So, now that the WHA is all sorted, I’ve also secured my spot for Stint Ireland. A group that helps coordinate internships and gap years for college students and recent grads!

I officially booked my place with them, including a room in one of their awesome Stint Houses in a trendy little part of Dublin called Portobello!


So things are on the up and up and I can’t wait for my new departure date June 27th!

**Side note — in an earlier post, when I was first applying for my visa, I was wondering whether I needed to provide proof of a flight all the way to your home country (which is the United States in my case) or just out of Ireland. I finally got my answer, which is it just has to be out of Ireland not necessarily back to your country of origin.

Missed Flight

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Ireland, Travel4 Comments

Today I was supposed to be on a plane to Dublin.

I was supposed to pack my life into a suitcase and a carry on, wonder what it would be like to be an au pair, read/watch/sleep my way through a non-stop flight and meet my would-be new host family when I stepped fresh off the plane.

But instead I slept in with my dog, went on a run, ate copious amounts of Mexican food and drank margaritas with a friend.

I feel like I should be sad or feel weird about the whole thing but I don’t, mostly because I have a plan.

I recently got in contact with a program out of Dublin called Stint Ireland. Stint coordinates both internships and gap years for college students and recent grads. They help you apply for your visa, and then organize whatever you need once you get to Ireland (cell phones, jobs/internships, housing — you name it).

They had an opening in one of their houses for June 28th and after looking through their website and obsessively stalking their social media, I decided to jump at the chance. The best part is that you live with other people your age in the house, which means you have an automatic group of people to travel and hang out with (not to mention the Stint staff does trips around Ireland, excursions to other countries and outings in the city itself).

Plans for Ireland are back on and I can’t wait to start my new adventure!

Up the Creek Without a Paddle

On By EmilyinEarnestIn au pair, Ireland, Travel3 Comments

So…

This past Saturday I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science. After four years of desperate studying, hours in the library and countless stress-dreams about sleeping through exams, I finally received a diploma (well, I actually received an empty diploma holder, but they’re supposed to send me the real thing in the mail).

The night after my graduation, in the midst of my last night of celebrations with my friends all together in our dorm, I received an email.

My au pair family had cancelled on me less than two weeks before my flight to Dublin was meant to arrive.

I was devastated. God bless my friends for not panicking while I sobbed uncontrollably into their shoulders (good thing I had already drank half a bottle of wine when I received the news, or maybe not so good of a thing).

The family had a crisis, with one member being hospitalized, and they could no longer definitively offer me employment or a place to stay. Shocking and devastating as this was, my moderately buzzed self went straight from tears to action. I re-made my au pair account on aupairworld.com and instantly sent out messages to some families that interested me.

Today I skyped with a family in Cork, Ireland and hopefully that will turn out positively, but until I have more solid plans, I’ve cancelled my flight for the 19th of May.

This has been a setback but I will get to Ireland, even if it’s not in the way I initially thought.

A HP Fanatic’s Guide to England

On By EmilyinEarnestIn College, Harry Potter, London, Travel, University5 Comments

I love Harry Potter.

It’s a fact about myself that I don’t hide or try to shy away from. Yes, I’ve read all the books about a million times. Yes, I’m 22 years old and still mourning my lost Hogwarts letter (you notice I say “lost” because I’m still convinced it was a postal error). Yes, I own all of the book on tape versions of the stories (shout out to Jim Dale, bless your heart).

This love affair with the classic English series was one of the many reasons why in the Fall of 2013 I decided to study abroad in London, UK. And, as you might have guessed, I used this opportunity to visit all of the available sets and Harry Potter related locations I could.

Now, here is a compilation of some of the best places in England to get your Potter fix…

1. Oxford, UK

While most of the other locations are in London, and thus easily accessible to anyone living in the city, this one’s a bit out of the way.

That being said, this site is also amazing. Stepping into Oxford, and onto the grounds of the University of Oxford, is like stepping back in time. The school looks like a castle, with vast green lawns and cobblestone walkways.

Most importantly, however, many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed here. The stairway inside the building was used in both the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. The Great Hall was modeled after their own dining hall (which incidentally you can eat in if you’re so inclined). AND you can walk in the very courtyard that Moody turned Malfoy into a twitchy little ferret!

2. King’s Cross Station, London

You’re lying if you say you’ve never fantasized about slipping through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 in King’s Cross Station. I know I certainly have. In the spirit of kindness towards people who actually have to catch trains at these two stations, however, they have set up a place for Potter fans to congregate, without clogging up the platforms.

The station itself has set up a Harry Potter area, with a Platform 9 3/4 sign and cart complete with owl cage and trunk sticking halfway out of the wall. With these props in place, it has become the perfect place to snag your super fan “Off to Hogwarts” profile picture. The site even has a Harry Potter gift shop right next door, and a team of workers who will snap your photo (but you have to pay for their photo of you, your friend with an iPhone is free!).

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3. Leadenhall Market, London

Situated unassumingly off a London side street is Leadenhall Market, a covered shopping area that most people would assume is utterly unremarkable.

But they would be wrong! This market was the filming location for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The Leaky Cauldron was set up right where an optician’s office now lies. While it is a muggle shopping center, it is also extremely beautiful in and of itself and well worth the visit.

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4. Millennium Bridge, London

Situated on the Thames, very close the the Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, is the Millennium Bridge. Remarkable in and it’s own right, with modern architecture and a gorgeous view of St. Paul’s Cathedral, it is part of a key scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

In the scene we see the Death Eaters (who can now apparently fly in dark blurs ??) making a show of strength in London and destroying the bridge. Obviously they’ve rebuilt since the aftermath.

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5. Warner Brother’s Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, Leavesden

About an hour outside of London lies the Warner Brother’s Studios, which holds the holy grail of Harry Potter paraphernalia. Here, for thirty-five pounds, you can experience pure wizarding bliss as you explore the many sets and props from all eight of the movies.

This includes the Great Hall, the Ministry of Magic, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Weasley’s Kitchen and many many more. Not only that, but outside you have the opportunity to walk up and knock on the front door of number 4 Privet Drive (but be warned, the Dursleys do not like unwelcome guests).

The studio tour is without a doubt the best of the various locations and experiences in London for a Harry Potter fan. If you ever have the opportunity to go TAKE IT. You won’t regret it.

Just remember though, whether you’re reading the books, watching the movies or visiting these HP locations, your love of all things Harry Potter will stay with you…. always.

London Clubs: Top Four

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Clubbing, College, London, Travel, University2 Comments

Hello all!

So, I’ve sent out my Working Holiday Visa application to the Irish Consulate in New York about two weeks ago and am still waiting to hear back. In the meantime I decided I’d write a bit about my other international experience: studying abroad in London.

My sophomore year (Fall 2013) I journeyed to the land of tea, double decker busses and endless pubs, the one and only London, England. One thing that struck me the most was the significant difference between the nightlife of Storrs, Connecticut, and that of London, England.

I had become accustomed to paying to go to a shitty bar with lackluster beer, or, even more often, would end up in the basement of some disgusting frat house, trying to avoid getting groped by the many-handed masses (side note, never touch the walls of a frat house, they sweat).

But in London, there were clubs. Places with dancing and good drinks and atmosphere.

So here it is, my top four list for clubs in London..

  1. KOKO

What is it? If you’re looking for good atmosphere with a mix of live music and DJs, this is the place to go. KOKO is a refurbished opera house which boasts a large dance floor and stage, where you can see both local and famous bands and musical acts playing almost every night of the week. The different floors all look down onto the dance floor and boast multiple bars and a considerable ratio of comfy couches for when you’ve been dancing too long in heels. Not to mention the rooftop bar which provides some amazing nighttime views.

Where is it? Camden, off of Camden High Street, if you take the tube to Mornington Crescent (Northern Line) it’ll be right outside.

How expensive is it? It’s pretty variable, I’ve seen it as low as 5 pounds and as high as 30, but it depends on what bands/acts are on that night. Definitely check out their website to look up ticket prices.

2.  Proud

What is it? This is an unconventional club, if I do say so myself. A 19th century hospital for horses (no I’m not joking), now each refurbished “stable” is available for private rent. There’s a dance floor, multiple live band shows, and themed nights where many of the different stables have a different activity inside them (when we were there there was karaoke in one stable). Top it all off with the rooftop bar, reasonably priced drinks (cider or beer bottles for four pounds), and a hot tub (at least there was when I was there) and this place makes for one fun night out.

Where is it? Once again, Camden, right across from the famed shopping area the Camden Market. The closest tube stop would be Camden Town, then it’s a eight minute walk straight down the street.

How expensive is it? The drinks are relatively inexpensive, which is rare in London. Depending on what bands are playing, cover is variable, if you time it right it can be as low as three pounds though!

3. ROXY

What is it? This was one of my favorite clubs while I was in London. Nestled underground down a side road off Tottenham Court, the ROXY boasts a more hip and chill vibe then most clubs. Smaller, with a dance floor and bar area, the ROXY has a distinctly young fan base (mostly college kids), with drink deals and relatively low entrance costs (especially if you join their email list). Here you’ll find a DJ six nights of the week, with each night having a different musical theme.

Where is it? Right off of Tottenham Court Road Station (Central and Northern lines), down Rathbone Place and on the right.

How expensive is it? Very reasonable, especially for students. Showing your student card or adding yourself to the email list can get you in for 3-7 pounds. Then there’s drink deals for happy hour which means half price cocktails, reduced price pitchers and two for one beers. Bottoms up!

4. Cargo

What is it? Hidden beneath a railway, surrounded by some impressive graffiti lies Cargo, a bar and club in the heart of Shoreditch. With its large dance floor and multi-room layout, Cargo is the perfect place to hit up on a pub crawl or with a big group of friends. If it gets to crowded on the dance floor, Cargo has the added bonus of an outside beer garden, filled with tons of seating areas and heat lamps (which are prime during the winter months).

Where is it? This club is right in the heart of Shoreditch, however, the easiest way to get there is by bus, as there isn’t a tube stop in the immediate vicinity. Lines 55, 35, 47 and 243 will all get you quite close.

How expensive is it? Fridays and Saturdays can have covers around 10-15 pounds, but student nights on Tuesdays offer free admission and some pretty sweet drink deals. So, if you’re willing to suffer a Wednesday hangover, this may be the place for you.

 

Those were my favorites, but the city is chock full of cool and quirky places to grab a drink and dance. If you’ve ever been to these or have a few favorites of your own, comment!

P.S. In the spirit of clubbing here is an embarrassing photo of me enjoying a pitcher of Pimms by myself (shameful I know)!

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Finding an Au Pair Position

On By EmilyinEarnestIn au pair, Ireland, Travel, VisasLeave a comment

Hello all! So I’ve been getting all of my materials together to send in my visa application (hopefully it’ll be ready to send out this week), but in the meantime I thought I’d talk a bit about how I got my Au Pair position.

I used a website called aupairworld.com, which I would recommend to anyone who serious about pursuing this option or who just wants to see what’s out there. I first came across the website after googling “au pair,” with no prior knowledge on the subject or how I would go about finding a position.

Firstly, I would say to make a profile, even if you don’t want to fill out the various “about me” sections or any of your information yet, a basic profile will allow you to narrow down your search and see real and available families. They have you enter your age, gender and a few countries you would want to work in, and with this information you can see the many different options.

When you become serious, make sure you take the time to personalize your profile! Don’t just write one word answers to the questions. Talk about your interests and your passions and make sure you actually have a reason for why you want to be an au pair. Also, be honest, don’t say you’re a champion horseback rider if you’re not! It’ll be much easier to find a family that matches up with your passions and plans if you are straightforward.

Another big thing is put up a picture! It’s hard to trust some anonymous person on the internet to be who they say they are. If you want to attract real families and be an appealing hire, make sure you use a picture of yourself. Bonus points if you’re doing something you mentioned you’re interested in in your bio. Plus, it’ll assure them that you are, in fact, a normal human being.

Once you’ve made your profile suitable, reach out to people! Don’t be afraid to contact the families, even if you just send the pre-written “I’m interested” message they provide for you. The more people you talk to, the more opportunities you’ll have at your doorstep. I sent out multiple messages, just to feel things out. If you receive messages yourself, make sure to answer. The website shows the percentage of applications you respond to and a low percentage may make you look unavailable.

Finally, be conscious of where you’re looking to go/which positions you’re accepting. Look up visas and things of that nature (here’s my guide to Visas for Americans, and specific info on Ireland Working Holiday Visas). Many times I found that au pair positions that were open in Italy or Spain are mostly for the summer (3 months or less), which you wouldn’t need a visa for. However, if you’re looking to go for longer, you’ll need a visa for that specific country.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment! Happy searching, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

 

International Flights

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Flights, Ireland, TravelLeave a comment

After scanning flights and prices for the past few weeks, I have finally booked my trip to Dublin! While I thought booking my flight would easy, I was sadly mistaken. I searched multiple comparison sites, weighed fees and ticket options and by the end of it seriously considered just swimming to Ireland. Here are a few tips and tricks on navigating the dangerous waters of international flights…

  1. If your destination is Europe, BOOK EARLY.

I cannot stress enough how important this one is. The longer you leave it, the higher the prices will go, and trust me, they’ll only get higher. If you’re planning a trip to Europe I would recommend booking a flight around 6-8 months in advance. I’m internally kicking myself for waiting until three months beforehand.

**Side note, if you’re looking on the same price comparison website for the same flight multiple times do so on a private browser. Many websites use cookies to track which flights you’re looking at. The more you look at a certain one, the more they think you’ll buy it and then they don’t show you if the price goes down.

2. Fly into (or out of) a cheap city.

If you’re going to Europe, consider flying into one of the more affordable airports instead of directly into your destination. Some of the cheapest include Paris, Copenhagen and Dublin.

For example, if you were to fly from JFK in New York to Heathrow in London, it would be $443 dollars one way. Flying from JFK to Copenhagen on that same day would be $263. From there the flight to London would be $55, for a total price of $318.

Thats over one hundred dollars you could save and spend in pubs!

3. Fly midweek or during the off season.

Traditionally, it will be cheaper if you fly out on a Tuesday or Wednesday as opposed to any weekend day. This may be inconvenient, but if possible could save you money and time waiting in lines.

Try to plan your trips during the off season as well. Flying to Europe at basically any time that isn’t the summer is always a solid plan. That is, except for Christmas time, in which case all bets are off. If you have the opportunity, travel towards the end of the summer or spring, when the weather will still be relatively nice, but the crowds will have died down.

 

That’s all for now, if you’re looking into flights I recommend skyscanner.com, it’s my favorite search engine!

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