MU Blogger – MU International Office Blog

by MU Blogger January 14, 2020

Getting the most of your Study Abroad at Maynooth

Since it’s already the end of the first semester, I'd like to introduce how much experiences I had during this semester and help you build your expectation of studying at Maynooth University. Firstly, I started studying at the International Foundation Programme, which helps international students to learn academic language and skills, from last January until August 2019. After this course, I had the summer holidays for a few weeks before the semester starts. During the summer, I didn’t ...

by MU Blogger January 7, 2020

blogs , Fred Valdez , Integration

Meeting Irish friends

As new international students, we are constantly invited to introduction and integration events, where we can meet people from all over the world and start friendships that you will enjoy and probably never forget. Unfortunately, there are not many occasions in which we can hang around a lot with Irish people, besides the classroom during the initial couple of months. I have seen Erasmus students plan their days with other Erasmus students only, which may be ...

by MU Blogger November 18, 2019

blogs , Fred Valdez , Ireland

Rain proof life!

It is well known that Ireland has chaotic weather. If you Google the phrase "experience all four seasons in one day", Ireland will surely pop-up in the results. I found it lovely that Irish people seem to be proud of their country's weather and are willing to joke about it. An Irish friend recently told me "Having waterproof clothes is more important than having warm clothes". This is true. It can be really cold sometimes, but being ...

by MU Blogger September 25, 2019

blogs , Fred Valdez , Travel

Get a bike!

Maynooth is a small and beautiful town which can be easily traveled with a bike, and it has a lot of cycling roads everywhere. My quality of life really changed when I decided to buy a bike. I was now able to come back home from the laboratory in the university to eat, and then head back to the laboratory. It was also easier to carry my bags whenever I went to Lidl or Aldi ...

by MU Blogger September 9, 2019

blogs , Tess Marie Wobbe

The Phases of homesickness

Depending on the situation, being away from home can be an amazing time simply because you’re no longer home. You’re away from the monotony of your usual life and everything is new and interesting. That was what it was like for me when I first came to Ireland. I couldn’t take my eyes off all the little differences between Ireland and America, whether it is double decker buses or the fact there’s always a pub ...

by MU Blogger August 30, 2019

blogs , Mayu Otaki

My learning experience in the International Foundation Programme

I finished my course, International Foundation Programme, last week, and I’d like to share what I learned over the two semesters. International Foundation Programme is held for international students who would like to improve their English skills and study skills before they start their undergraduate or postgraduate course at Maynooth University. As there is a small number of students in the classes, support from teachers, the international office, and its organiser is provided to each student is top ...

by MU Blogger August 26, 2019

Maynooth Univerity Cemetery entrance path

blogs , Fred Valdez , Maynooth University

Getting the right campus snap!

Maynooth has a beautiful campus, filled with big trees and large green areas It is magical even if it is a cloudy or a rainy day. I took many pictures all around Maynooth with my friends, and I want to share these spots with you and encourage you not to miss them when you’re here! The University’s South Campus is older and greener than the North Campus. There you can find St. Joseph’s Square, which is ...

by MU Blogger August 7, 2019

blogs , Tess Marie Wobbe , Travel

A trip to Scotland

You’d think that while living in foreign country it would be easy to become tired of traveling. But like almost everything, the unusual becomes normal again. The sights that once interested me have gained a film of normality to them. The numerous Irish accents and the slang that often accompanies them, I no longer really notice. So in order to find that sense of newness, that urge to explore, I ...

by MU Blogger July 31, 2019

blogs , Ireland , Mayu Otaki

Expectations of Ireland – Things to know before you come

It’s already less than two months left until the academic year starts, and I guess that a number of international students will soon be coming to Maynooth University! So, I would like to give some advice about what to expect when you start living here in Ireland. 1. Friendly and polite communications Firstly, as you know, the Irish are well known for being friendly and chatty people. I’d say this is certainly true, when I started living in ...

by MU Blogger July 19, 2019

Tess traveling alone on Study Abroad to Maynooth

blogs , Tess Marie Wobbe

Growing into yourself

It’s weird to think that in order to find yourself you have to leave behind what’s familiar. The place you grew up in and the people that surround you feel like they should make up who you are, and they do to an extent. But I feel like by being away from that, it is easier to see yourself more clearly. But that’s what I’ve done in the past two ...