IRELAND’S SPECIALIST HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

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~ TOP 250 UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE (Times Higher World University Rankings)

~ OVER 70% OF MEDICINE SEATS reserved for INTERNATIONAL (Non EU) STUDENTS

~ Hone your clinical skills in Europe’s most ADVANCED CLINICAL SIMULATION CENTRE

~ DUBLIN CITY-CENTRE LOCATION with on-campus accommodation

~ Over 80 STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

~ Limited number of international MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIPS

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Liam Vorster

BSc Computer Science, University College Dublin

I always wanted to study in Europe because of the diverse culture and exciting opportunities. Ireland became a natural choice as I felt most comfortable learning and socialising in English. UCD welcomes students from all over the world, and they are eager to share their culture. It is fascinating hearing about the different perspectives people have.

Having to live away from home and look after myself was challenging, but I got into the groove of it pretty quickly and soon a lot of maturity began to emerge. It has been a positive experience in ways words cannot capture.

I lived on-campus initially, so there was always something fun to do just a few minutes away. Everyone there is in the same boat trying to meet new people. Societies and clubs are a great way to get more involved and find interesting people. I definitely did initially sign up to too many and had to scale back my ambitions slightly. Focusing on just 1 or 2 ended up being more enjoyable and cultivated longer-lasting friends.

You definitely miss family and friends from home, initially, however as time goes on I began to realise that the important people back home will always be there for me. Conversely, it also became easier after embracing life more and more here.

UCD did a fantastic job preparing me for industry. There are a number of modules that specifically help you develop and understand how certain skills will present themselves in the workplace. In addition, we do an internship in 3rd year that gives us the opportunity to work in industry for 6 months. During that, time I worked at Amazon and will be returning there as a fulltime engineer.

MAGGIE NTOMBIFUTHI BINGO PhD Researcher Civil Engineering, University

of Galway

I grew up in a small town called Mahikeng, better known as Maf Town, where I matriculated at Mmabatho High School. I completed my undergraduate and Master’s degree, both in Chemical Engineering, at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), where I ended up working for 10 years.

I decided to pursue my PhD studies here because in 2022 Ireland was ranked as the third most peaceful country in the world and, being a mother, my priority is having my daughter grow up in a safe environment. Secondly, coming from a country where the unemployment rate is more than 30%, the prospects of settling in a country where the unemployment rate is 4.3% was appealing.

For me the best part of Galway is its serenity, and my greatest surprise was the friendliness of the people. There are times where I feel homesick, missing my family, friends, my favourite foods and the sun. However, the University of Galway offers international students the opportunity to become Student Ambassadors, which makes it easier for us to meet students from other parts of the world and build strong friendships.

Being a Student Ambassador has also made it possible for me to meet the South African Ambassador to Ireland, Her Majesty, Yolisa Maya.

As an engineering PhD Researcher, I am required to have a personal development plan that will assist me in upskilling myself and will ensure I have the necessary training for a successful career.

Watch Maggie describe her experience here