by MU Blogger January 6, 2025
blogs , Campus life , Phanindra Yenneti , sport

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 ...

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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 ...

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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! ...

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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), ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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by MU Blogger May 10, 2024
The richness of the Irish language, illustrations by Catherine Geaney
blogs , Elisabeth Koopal , Irish language

Mothú sa bhaile in Éirinn: how language gives a sense of belonging

Introduction Illustrations by Catherine Geaney When I told my Dutch family I was learning the Irish language, they were confused: ‘Do you mean you’re learning to speak English with an Irish accent?’ More than once, I’ve had to explain that Ireland has its own language. Irish – or Gaeilge – is one of the oldest and most historically written languages in the world. It has been spoken in Ireland for over 2.500 ...

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