MU Blogger – MU International Office Blog

by MU Blogger January 20, 2025

How Irish Kindness Made Me Forget About the Cold OR the Warmth I Found Along the Way

Moving to a new country is a whirlwind of emotions – excitement, curiosity, and, in my case, an undeniable chill. When I landed in Ireland to begin my studies at Maynooth University, I knew I’d left the warmth of Nigeria behind, but I didn’t realize just how much the cold would define my first days. I’ll admit, the Irish weather caught me off guard. No matter how many people warned me, ...

by MU Blogger January 6, 2025

Table Tennis at Maynooth University – It’s more than a sport!

Maynooth University has a vibrant campus life, with various student clubs and societies providing multiple opportunities for students. These clubs cover academics, sports, culture, arts, health, and anything else that a student needs. Each year, the clubs and societies expand based on the interests of the new students. Of all these, I joined the Table tennis club because I have always been interested in this super exciting sport. This is one ...

by MU Blogger December 22, 2024

blogs , Ireland , Qin Lu

Why Chinese Students choose Ireland as destination of further academic education

In China, although the culture of studying abroad is not as prevalent as it was a decade ago, the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, followed by the citywide lockdown in Shanghai from April 2022, reignited the desire among some returnees to venture abroad once more. One such individual is my colleague—let’s call him Benjamin (a pseudonym)—a quintessential example of this trend. In September 2021, Benjamin and I ...

by MU Blogger December 19, 2024

Internships , Khang Du

My Journey at Maynooth University: Balancing studies, Internships, and an Intercultural event

A short introduction about me, Arqus Alliance at Maynooth University I’m currently a Digital Marketing intern at the International Office and an Erasmus student at Maynooth University. I’m also an Arqus scholar and the main applicant for the Students Co-Designed Project 2024, sponsored by the Arqus European Universities Alliance. If you're not familiar with Arqus just yet, it’s a European University Alliance that connects Maynooth with eight other universities all across Europe! ...

by MU Blogger December 18, 2024

Alfred Oryem , Internships

From Virtual to Reality: My Unforgettable Internship at Maynooth University

On the 1st of July 2024 Maynooth University (MU) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aga Khan University. The strategic partnership, the first of its kind between an Irish university and The Aga Khan University, aims to foster collaboration in the coming years across several areas including research collaboration, student and staff mobility. As one of the first initiatives under this new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ...

by MU Blogger December 3, 2024

Maynooth University International Student blog by Dalal

blogs , Dalal Riyadh a Almuhaideb , PhD , Postgraduate

Settling In and Staying Strong: A Postgrad’s Guide to Life and Well-being During Your Study Journey

Dalal Almuhaideb, a PhD researcher and a lecturer in the Education department Whether you’re returning to Ireland or arriving for the very first time, welcome! Starting your postgraduate journey is an exciting new chapter, full of opportunities, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. This guide is here to help you settle in smoothly and make the most of your time in Ireland. Give Yourself Time to Settle Adjusting to a new ...

by MU Blogger October 23, 2024

blogs , Dublin , Thu Bui

Checking out Nightlife in Dublin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZi7oU4PIec&t Maynooth being just 25 kilometres from Ireland's capital city, there ar absolutely no excuses for not hopping on the bus to check out what Dublin has to offer, day or night, as tested by Thu in her second vlog.

by MU Blogger August 23, 2024

Abbegael Fulton , blogs , History

Guiding you through Maynooth, past and present

One of the reasons I chose to study at Maynooth University was because it is right next to a castle. It might sound silly, but my one stipulation when choosing where to study in Ireland was a school that had old buildings and a long history. While pretty much all of the schools I considered had beautiful and historic architecture, but Maynooth stood out for me. A town on the ...

by MU Blogger August 20, 2024

View to old library at Maynooth University by DALAL ALMUHAIDEB

blogs , Dalal Riyadh a Almuhaideb , Ireland , Nature

Bittersweet Beauty of Summer

The song "Summertime Sadness”[1] was playing in a shop, and I couldn’t help but pause and reflect on this musical motif, which is common in literature and lyrics for evoking feelings of sorrow. Typically, summer is associated with joy, happiness, and freedom. I find it hard to imagine such sadness in Ireland—a country known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning nature, and kind people. How could one feel sad amidst such ...

by MU Blogger May 27, 2024

blogs , Elisabeth Koopal

Culinary Crossroads: Exploring Irish and Dutch Cuisine

Introduction When exploring Ireland as an exchange student, trying out Irish food might not be the first thing on your radar. Irish cuisine is often dismissed as simplistic and dull, much like the cooking in my native Netherlands. After all, don’t Irish and Dutch people eat nothing but bland potato dishes? Having put it to the test, I can assure you there is more to these cuisines than you might expect ...