Journey of a Muslim

Founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university of Ireland and its best ever. Since it is an ancient university, expect those streams of tourists from all over the world, almost all-year round. If you’re one of those who love the ranks, Trinity is 52nd in QS World University Rankings 2010 (Wohoo, not bad eh?). Not only that, the School of Medicine is celebrating our Tercentenary (300 years; 1711-2011, that’s how old we are! *clap..clap..*) this year, so a lot of activities have been going to celebrate such achievement. Located 7 minutes from the heart of Dublin and a minute from the famous pedestrian walk of Grafton Street, you’ll find the surroundings as charming and lively.



Worried on how you’ll get by the new surroundings and all? Don’t worry, we have the first week of the academic year for Freshers' Week (before all those gruesome lectures). The university will offer you official orientation sessions covering introduction to university life and services, computer access, including Library and Sports Centre tours. Yet, there are so many clubs and societies out there opening their booths promoting the activities. Rock climbing, shooting, South East Asian, Islamic Society, the Students Union - It all depends on you to decide which of those might suit yourself. (You’ll have us as well to boss you … err… to help you of course!!!)

Facilities



There is a prayer room located at Gold Smith Halls [nun jauh disana] It is the only prayer room in Trinity and we Malaysians call it ‘Gua Thur’ (Trinity and all the mystics and mysteries surrounding them). Even though it might sound far, the new building of School of Medicine will be up and running next term and they’re quite near to each other, as well as other Sciences faculties (now that tells you about Muslims students here. Yes, most of us are Science students but there are students from other faculties as well).

Have we told you about our magnificent Sports Centre? It has a 25 metre, 6 lane swimming pools with a floating floor, a large fitness theatre with over 60 exercise stations, an 11 metre high climbing wall, a fitness studio and a spin studio, sauna and steam room and two large sports halls. Outdoor facilities on campus include Croquet Lawn, Tennis Courts, Rugby, Soccer and Cricket pitches along with a running track in the summer. Off campus there are extensive playing fields at Santry and the Trinity Boat Club has its boathouse on the River Liffey at Islandbridge. (All these from the TCD website, of course! You guys should check it out.) Not only that, we have superb Science gallery, numerous Arts galleries and the famous Book of Kells.

Course

Compared to both RCSI and UCD, entrance of Malaysian students in Trinity every year is in a small number, and they’re usually under government sponsorship [MARA + JPA] for both Medicine and Dentistry courses. For example this year, we have 13 meds and dentistry first years combined. However, there are still opportunities for those pursuing post grads education here in under subjects as well, and Trinity is famous as the central hub of research in Ireland.

Accommodation

Malaysian students are always given the spot in Trinity Hall but you can also opt to live with Malaysian, Irish or International students as well around Dublin. (However, First year students under MARA are obliged to stay in the Trinity Hall).

Non EU students can apply as soon as they have confirmed acceptance of an offer of a place in Trinity College and have received their Trinity ID number. You may choose your roommates (two singles spacious bedroom) if you know their full name and student number. And you can stay there for maximum 2 years. The rent for halls usually goes in every term. You can leave before the next term starts (better for you bank account) but you must give the accommodation office at least 1 month's notice and it helps if you can find people willing to take your spot. If you decide to leave before the term is over, they won't refund your money.

There are 3 ways to get to campus from halls:

1. BUS
If you are willing to walk to Rathmines town (~15-20 mins walk) you can take buses 14, 14A, 15, 15A. There is a bus that stops right outside halls: bus 128. Most people take this one. If you take the bus, the journey itself is usually about 20-30 minutes during off-peak hours. However, the buses come less frequently off-peak.

2. LUAS.
LUAS is like LRT but it runs on street level. There are 2 lines in Dublin city: Green (Southside) and Red (Northside). Since halls and Trinity are on the Southside, you would be taking the Green line.
The nearest stop for halls is Milltown (about 15 mins walk). You take the LUAS to the last stop, St Stephen's Green, and walk from there to Trinity (~10 mins). The whole journey takes about 20 mins.
Basically, both services cost about the same. People who don't really like walking very far usually take the bus I think.



3. FOOT
It’s possible to walk. It takes about 45 minutes. I suppose it's ok to walk in autumn but in winter it would be quite terrible (rain, wind, cold etc).
The walking route people take is the one followed by the bus.

Life as a Muslim

Alhamdulilla, even though we have the least number of Malaysian student, but we don't feel "asing" because there are other muslim international student around. you can meet and know them or even work with them, when you join Muslim Student Association MSA. There will be frequent islamic talk and program happening here that you definitely don't want to miss. For Jumaat prayers, usually brothers will perform it at the TCD's prayer room so you don't have to go somewhere else far.

Halal Food

It is most convenient to cook. You can get halal chicken easily from halal shops. there is one in Rathmines, which is the nearest to the Halls. The price is relatively cheap and insyaAllah it will be much more cheaper than eating outside. You just need some willpower and a little bit of cooking skills! There is also Asian foodstores, known as Oriental Emporium. This is the place to get materials such as rempah, maggi, kicap, sos cap megi, rare materials such as pandan leaves, serai, fish and shrimps, coconut milk and many more. Nevertheless, eating out is still an option. There are not many halal food restaurants around, but you can still get them nonetheless. I personally think that the price is relatively cheaper in UK than in Ireland.

Malaysian Community



In Ireland, we have quite a big malaysian community, especially in Dublin and most of them are students. We also have many Malaysian doctors as well. During Eid celebration, we usually gather at the malaysian hall to celebrate with fellow malaysians and feel the Eid atmosphere. As for the malaysian community in our university, as mentioned before, it is quite small as there are not many malaysian students in TCD. However, there are two societies that are usually being participated by the malaysians; they are the muslim student association (along with the other muslims) and south east asian society (with other asians).

What to Prepare

Same with other uni, buy related books [depends on the course, u can ask seniors about this] it is better to buy books from Malaysia. Passport and relevant letter [eg offer letter etc].