by Anna Oláh

My experience of the Global Changemakers Programme 2026 is difficult to put into a few words. It was a week filled with new faces, places, opportunities, memories, connections, languages and so much more.

I met my fellow Global Changemakers for the first time at the pre-departure workshop on 11 February 2026, and I could feel the tension and excitement in the room. We were the very first cohort to take part in this inaugural short-term mobility programme, and everybody was excited for the week that lay ahead of us.

This experience challenged each one of us in one way or another, but we were in it together, which allowed a bond to form that no one and nothing can take from us. The memories we share and the connections we have continued to maintain through this programme are truly unique.

On the first day, we enjoyed an evening reception at the Consulat Général d’Irlande à Lyon (Irish Consulate in Lyon) to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, where we had the pleasure of meeting Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It was a truly memorable experience.

On our second day, we attended a workshop on digital communication, interculturality and scientific co-construction, exploring topics such as Open Science, Open Access and the growing role of AI in research. We also took part in a guided tour of Lyon, learning more about the city’s history and culture.

Day three focused on interculturality and international openness, followed by an engaging workshop on dance as a vehicle for inclusion. In the evening, we enjoyed a traditional Lyonnais dinner and a visit to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

On day four, we participated in Design Meets Science: A Hands-on Introduction to Transdisciplinarity, which showcased how students develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. A tour of the university’s design labs provided further insight into student creativity and innovation.

We left Lyon with new perspectives, valuable connections and a deeper appreciation of international collaboration and intercultural exchange. It was truly an experience of a lifetime!

A very special thanks goes out to everyone involved in bringing this fantastic short-term mobility programme to life.

If you are considering applying to the Global Changemakers Programme, I highly encourage you to do so! I will let you in on a little secret: I only made up my mind to apply shortly before the application deadline because I was afraid my application would not be good enough and that this programme might not be the right fit for me.

However, applying despite these doubts was truly one of the best and most valuable decisions I have made during my time at Maynooth University.

So, be brave, challenge yourself and apply. I promise you won’t regret it!

All I will say is c’est la vie (“that’s life”), and life is short, so make the most of every opportunity you get!