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), ...
Read MoreSettling 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 ...
Read Morehttps://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.
Read MoreOne 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 ...
Read MoreThe 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 ...
Read MoreCulinary 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 ...
Read MoreMothú 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 ...
Read Morehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JYt7m1KvzQ In the first of her Vlog series about her study abroad experiences, Vietnamese student Thu takes us not only to the places she has visited since arriving in Ireland in 2023, but also on her voyage of emotions since settling in to her studies with us at Maynooth.
Read MoreFrom Halloween to Sinterklaas: how holidays bring us together Introduction During my exchange in Maynooth, I celebrated the Irish festival of Halloween, as well as Sinterklaas; a traditional Dutch holiday. Partaking in various celebrations, I saw how holidays bring people together, both within and across cultures. In my inaugural blog post, I’m going to tell you more about these holidays and my experience celebrating them in Ireland. Halloween: an ancient Irish holiday Halloween – ...
Read MoreCulture hides more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants. Edward T. Hall How to fit in Maynooth: Cultural and Social Shocks Embracing diverse cultures and exploring social differences can be an eye-opening experience, especially when comparing two unique destinations like Ireland and Mozambique. In this blog post, we will delve into some of the intriguing cultural and social differences that I ...
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