My name is Jude and I am currently in my third year of physiotherapy at RCSI. Living in Dublin is wonderful and I have really enjoyed my time here so far.

If you have ever heard someone say there is not much to do here, it is probably because they have not been to the right places. Dublin might not be as big as London, but there is always something new to discover if you are willing to look for it.

As an international student, I settled in Dublin much faster than I expected. Moving to a new country can feel intimidating at first, especially when you are leaving behind your family, friends and everything familiar. However, there is a genuine sense of community around campus that you might not find at other universities, which made settling in much easier for me. My experience with the locals has also been very positive. The Irish are extremely friendly and people are often willing to help if you just ask.

There is a saying in Arabic: whoever leaves the house, God will provide for them. I think that is worth remembering when you first move here. If you have spare time, go out and discover the city. You do not always need a plan and you do not need to wait for someone else to go with you. Some of the best days I have had in Dublin started simply by deciding to leave the house.

Even on days when I have gone out on my own with no real plan, there has always been something happening. I once visited Herbert Park because I had been told they have beautiful cherry blossom trees in spring and ended up stumbling upon a spontaneous car show. Dublin is full of markets, events, neighbourhoods and little corners of the city that you might never see unless you decide to go out and explore.

If you ever get bored of the library, there are many secret study spots to discover around the city. Walk into hotels, cafés and places you have never been before and explore. You would be surprised by how many quiet corners you can find to sit down with your laptop or a book. Some of my favourite places are ones I would never have found if I had not just walked in. Studying somewhere different can also be a good excuse to get out of the house while still getting some work done.

Public transport is straightforward to use once you get the hang of it. Remember to raise your hand for the bus and do not panic if it does not show up or does not stop; these things happen. Always make sure your Leap Card is topped up before leaving the house, keep your phone charged and get comfortable using Google Maps. It will quickly become your best friend.

While Dublin is relatively safe, I would still avoid walking alone late at night whenever possible. It is never worth taking an unnecessary risk, especially when you are somewhere unfamiliar. Get to know your surroundings, stay aware of where you are and plan how you are getting home if you know you will be out late.

One of the biggest things I have learned from living here is to ask for help, advice and information. Ask other students at university and even people on the street. People are usually much more willing to help than you might expect, especially when you are still figuring out a new city.

Most importantly, do not wait for other people to start enjoying the city. Living on your own, especially in a new country, can sometimes feel lonely, so make an effort to get out of the house. At the same time, learn to enjoy your own company. Go for a walk, visit a market, try a café and explore somewhere new. Sometimes you just have to do it without thinking too much about it.

There is so much of Dublin waiting for you to discover. You just have to leave the house and find it.