NCI accounting student Patrick Beary has been too busy earning money for college over the past few years - now in his final year, he's heading off to San Francisco to let his hair down. "I've a serious job lined up when I graduate, so I want to live it up for the summer," he says.

Many of his friends have been to San Francisco before, so he feels he knows the ropes already. "I've organised accommodation with two of my friends in an apartment near the Golden Gate bridge for $1,200 (€880) a month between us. That's better than anything you'd get in Dublin."

Patrick is looking forward to experiencing the city's well-known music and cultural scenes. He also hopes to take some time to travel the coast.

"I'll be an accountant next year. I'm looking forward to a job that's easy on the head - in a restaurant or a bookstore - that I can turn up to with a hangover."