Stay in Ireland or Head to Canada

[Weepsie]

I've been offered a place in UBC's MLIS programme for January 2012. I also have a place in UCD in Ireland pretty much starting in september. The only thing stopping me going for sure to UBC is cost. I will be able to save about 70-75% of what I'd need to cover fees, rent and week to week expenses by the end of August for living in Vancouver. However my contract ends then and if I can't get work from Sept-Dec I wouldn't be able to take the leap and I'd be stuck in a no-man's land of sort. They both have their plus points (UBC more I'd say) but I've already been stuck in a situation where I've let oppertunities slide and been stuck with none.

The advantage I have is that I have until May pretty much to make up my mind and find extra work. Anyone in similar situations though?

[Lymrance]

I've been offered a place in UBC's MLIS programme for January 2012. I also have a place in UCD in Ireland pretty much starting in september. The only thing stopping me going for sure to UBC is cost. I will be able to save about 70-75% of what I'd need to cover fees, rent and week to week expenses by the end of August for living in Vancouver. However my contract ends then and if I can't get work from Sept-Dec I wouldn't be able to take the leap and I'd be stuck in a no-man's land of sort. They both have their plus points (UBC more I'd say) but I've already been stuck in a situation where I've let oppertunities slide and been stuck with none.

The advantage I have is that I have until May pretty much to make up my mind and find extra work. Anyone in similar situations though?

Vancouver is a beautiful but extremely expensive city. Your program is Library Sciences, correct? Would it really be worth it to go into that much debt for an MA? I'd stay in Ireland if the Irish school is a similarly decent one. Not worth the debt to move to Canada (says the Canadian ).

Good luck!

[Weepsie]

I'll have an extra four months to get the extra money together. My fees for ubs would be half they are in Ireland as international students get a grant of some sort for MAs with heavy amounts of research. The debt load wouldn't be massivem maybe 3-5 thousand if i absolutely needed a loan, and I know things can spiral, but the oppertunities for work or even work experience are extremely limited in Ireland from what I can gather. I've some time to consider it and Ireland is expensive too,

[squaresquared]

Weepsie, I think you 've answered your own question. It sounds to me like you want to go to UBC, so take the plunge and do it! If you are not worried about the money aspect (that loan amount is very, very low), and you think the opportunities or the program will fit you more than the one in Ireland, go for it. It is scary to make a final decision, but the sooner you make it, the sooner you can begin your planning and moving on to the next stage.

Congrats on your acceptances!