International Student Ambassadors It鈥檚 hard to believe the semester is already coming to an end - time really does fly! Over the past few months, it has been an absolute pleasure working alongside our four ambassadors. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity have helped make this semester a memorable one for our international student community. From supporting events to sharing their own experiences, they鈥檝e played an important role in creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. In this post, each ambassador reflects on their journey, the highlights of their role, and what they鈥檝e learned along the way.
Linh Dong, Vietnam
It鈥檚 hard to believe that the first semester is nearly coming to an end; time has flown so quickly. Even though I still have one more semester to go, it鈥檚 almost time for me to say goodbye to the other ambassadors as they return to their home countries after their Erasmus exchange.
To my fellow ambassadors: thank you for making my time in Ireland so meaningful. Collaborating with you to organise events for international students, and working with Sandra, James, and Alison, has truly been such a great pleasure for me. I feel grateful for every moment we shared. I never imagined that I would love writing blog posts this much. But here I am - always excited to share my thoughts and experiences. Whether it鈥檚 wandering across every street without the convenience of motorbikes like in Vietnam, visiting Mary I on my very first day, learning new Irish words, or stepping inside the Google Headquarters in Dublin; every experience has shaped me. And sharing these moments with others has made them even more meaningful. As I look back, I know I will always treasure these memories. To all future students who are considering studying in Ireland or at 91制片厂: go for it. Dare to dream big. One day, you might find yourself here too, surrounded by new opportunities, incredible friendships, and so much love.
Last Event of the Semester Amara Yatassaye, France
As I mentioned in my previous blog, the semester is coming to an end and we are in the middle of exam season! But the finish line is near, with only three exams left to take. This semester has gone by very quickly, but I am proud of my journey and everything I have achieved. I am particularly grateful to have had the opportunity to discover Ireland and its wonderful culture. I would like to give a special mention to Galway, which has undoubtedly become my favourite city in Ireland. It is so beautiful, full of life, and has some of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. I am happy. If you come to study in Ireland, don't hesitate to explore the country! Travel, talk to the Irish, they are incredibly friendly, and you will make some great friends along the way. But also with international students, it's an opportunity to make friends from all over the world. My main advice is not to set limits for yourself. Go for it and enjoy it, you're only young once. Finally, I would like to warmly thank everyone who made this study abroad experience possible: the International Office, the staff and professors at 91制片厂, and everyone who welcomed and supported us with patience and kindness throughout the semester.
Saying Goodbye to our Ambassadors Nadia Durakovic, Germany
Now that the semester is nearing its end, I realise how much I have learned and grown during my stay in Ireland. Not only am I more independent and now know how to cook, I have also learned a lot about Ireland and its people. If you are only at the beginning of your stay in Limerick or if you are staying a while longer than a semester, here are my main takeaways and advice:
Plan your trips to other places, don鈥檛 just talk about them. The end of your stay comes quicker than you think. I almost didn鈥檛 visit Dublin because I kept saying I wanted to go there but didn鈥檛 explicitly plan anything until the last weeks. Go out and explore! Limerick has more to offer than one might think. A must-see for me was the Milk Market, where you can do some grocery shopping and enjoy the best tartes I鈥檝e ever tasted. Another tip: if you like concerts, then go and check out Dolan鈥檚 Warehouse! I have been to three concerts during my stay here and they were absolute highlights: The Chop Sueys (a System of A Down tribute band), Qween (a Queen tribute), and Dylan Flynn & the Dead Poets (with their amazing openers Betty Taylor and Bold Love). Dolans host up and coming artists and by going there, you do not only spend a great evening, but you also support these often local and small bands. Who knows, you might find your new favourite musicians this way! Most importantly, enjoy your stay here! Time flies, and before you know it, the semester is over.
Concert in Dolans Nele Dzienkowski, Germany
I think my fellow student ambassador colleagues have greatly described what a semester abroad, especially in Ireland, can do for your character development. In order to change it up a bit I thought I would put a little twist on it, since I am sure you do not want to read repetitive resumes (they are still, all very much true!)
May I present to you: MY ERASMUS WRAPPED
Events planned by the International Society: 5
Courses attended: 4
Presentations I survived: 4
Clubs joined: 2
Cities I have visited: 12
Nights I spent in hostels/AirBnBs: 10
Hours spent in busses/trains: Ask CityLink
Pubs I've visited: 8
People I met: Too many to count
Languages I tried speaking: 5 (even tongue twisters!)
Times I used grand: 52
Photos I took: Had to buy more iCloud storage
Postcards I sent: 13
Souvenirs I bought: 9
Made plans with my roomies: 7
Did something out of my comfort zone: 11
Made core memories: an infinite amount
As you can see I have had an eventful and successful Erasmus experience. I am grateful for all the people I have met during this short amount of time and the memories we made together. This semester has not only improved my cultural intelligence and my English but also my empathy and tolerance. If you are hesitant whether or not to apply for an exchange year I can almost guarantee that you will leave with new friends all over the world and an insane amount of self-confidence!
