Inbar Friedman

My name is Inbar and I’m a Year 2 Graduate Entry Medicine student at RCSI. I’m originally from Toronto, Canada and currently live in the Dublin Docklands.

Life is really busy in Dublin with classes, studying, and extracurriculars and I make the most of the chaos by exploring new parts of the city while finding the best cafés to study in. I try to save money by doing weekly grocery shops and meal prepping, as well as walking and taking public transit as much as I can. With a student transit leap card, I never pay more than €1 per journey on public transit.

I also love to travel and try to save some money to do one or two small weekend trips during the semester. I love how easy it is to travel from Dublin to many amazing destinations, and I try to take advantage of this after a particularly stressful period.

Inbar Friedman

This week, I am finishing up the Renal/Endocrine/Genito-Urinary/Breast module and having my end of module assessments. I am also competing in the annual dance intervarsities as part of the RCSI Competitive Dance Team. Finally, I am celebrating the end of a busy period by taking a trip to Andorra to go skiing! As you can see, this week is an unusual one, but really represents how busy, stressful, and fun life as an RCSI student can be.

  • Programme: Graduate Entry Medicine (Year 2)
  • Living quarters: Dublin Docklands

Monthly expenses

Rent: €1300

Number of housemates: Two

Transport: Approximately €50

Household bills: €13 for Wi-Fi

Phone bill: €20 for unlimited data

Groceries: Approximately €110

Budget breakdown

  • 8am: I spend today doing some studying at home. I rewatch some of the lectures that I need to review (they are all recorded), and I make a plan for the very busy week I have ahead of me.
  • 12pm: I walk to my nearest Dunnes Stores and buy my groceries for the week and then meal prep (€31). Meal prepping is one of the best ways I save money since it can sometimes be difficult to find time to cook during the days and I’m usually out of the house for most of the day.
  • 2pm: I go grab a coffee at the nearby café and go for a walk as a study break (€3).
  • 9pm: I watch TV with my roommates and get a good night sleep before the week.

Total: €34

  • 8am: I take the train from Docklands to Connolly Hospital where my lectures and tutorials are held. I bring a coffee and lunch from home.
  • 3pm: I leave class and head to the Helix Theatre for tech rehearsals for tomorrows dance competition.
  • 9pm: I get home and have a late dinner – I do a bit more studying and get ready for bed.

Total: €4

  • 8am: I share a cab with my classmates who are also on the dance team (€10 per person each way) and head to the competition. I pack a salad for lunch and bring lots of snacks for the long day. I spend the day at the competition and find moments to study backstage.
  • 6pm: I watch the competitions award ceremony, RCSI wins four awards.
  • 8:30pm: I arrive back home and make a quick dinner.

Total: €20

  • 8am: I start the day studying at home in the study room of my building, I am preparing for my end of module quiz that is tomorrow and trying to catch up on the classes I missed the day before.
  • 1:30pm: I walk to the train station to make it to my 3pm clinical tutorial (€1).
  • 4pm: I take the bus after tutorial to campus where I do work at the library until dinner (€1).
  • 8:30pm: I meet my roommate at the library after she finishes her workout at the gym (included university fees) and bus home with her (€1).

Total: €3

  • 8.30am: I walk to the train station and make my way to class for my Case of the Week wrap-up at 10am (€1).
  • 11am: I grab a very cheap and convenient lunch at Connolly hospital canteen (€4).
  • 11:30am: I go into a tutorial room and do some group studying with my friends before our quiz.
  • 2pm: I take the end of module quiz.
  • 3:30pm: I bus to the library (€1) to study for my end of module OSCE tomorrow.
  • 7:30pm: I take a study break and watch the RCSI basketball game with my friends.
  • 9pm: I take the bus back to my apartment (€1).

Total: €7

  • 9am: I have breakfast at home and take it easy before my Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). I get the bus to Connolly Hospital (€1).
  • 11am-1pm: I am at Connolly Hospital doing the OSCE.
  • 3pm: I get the bus to Grafton Street and St Stephens Shopping Centre (€1) area to walk around and look for some last minute necessities for my trip tomorrow. I end up buying a warm beanie (€21).
  • 5pm: I go to the library to request my schedule for next year (just a few minutes away from Grafton Street).
  • 5:30pm: I get the bus home (€1), eat, and pack for tomorrow.

Total: €24

  • 5am: I go to the airport for my ski trip. I enjoy my travel day and spend money on both lunch (€20 ) and dinner (€42) today.

Total: €62