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 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 July 20, 2021
Emmeline_MU Blogger_west coast beach
Emmeline Joana Antonio , Ireland , Travel

Summer travels…

So let me start by saying that June has been a great month. I finally was able to leave Dublin for a bit, which was super refreshing since I hadn’t been out of Dublin since the summer. I got to go on a bit of an adventure to the west of the country in County Clare. It is now my new favorite part of the country, sorry Maynooth and Dublin, ...

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by MU Blogger February 25, 2020
blogs , Fred Valdez , Ireland , Maynooth University

A full first year in Maynooth

It is now a full year since I first came to Ireland to study at Maynooth University. This opportunity changed my life: I’m learning every day in my PhD, I’m in contact with different cultures constantly, I’ve made many good friends and I enjoy every day more than ever! As someone who comes from the American continent, before it was harder for me to travel through Europe, now it is cheap and easy, and I can’t find enough ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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by MU Blogger June 25, 2019
Waterford city by Maku
blogs , Ireland , Mayu Otaki , Travel

My holidays in Waterford

There’re a lot of opportunities to explore Ireland during your stay at Maynooth University. Today, I’d like to share my experience of the break between the second semester and the summer semester of the International Foundation Programme. I went to Waterford for a two day / three night holiday. Waterford is a city located on Ireland’s south coast, and is the country’s fifth biggest city. It’s also an historical city made up of museums giving visitors a ...

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by MU Blogger December 28, 2018
blogs , Hoa Nguyen , Ireland

Galway and Cork – truly cool and amazing destinations!

According to the 2018 Condé Nast survey, Ireland has three cities in the top ten friendliest cities list, with Cork (third place), Galway (number five), and Dublin (eighth place). I can feel this friendliness with all my heart. Galway, a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast, is located in the place where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. The destination is a cultural hotspot with many theatres, art galleries and ...

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by MU Blogger November 30, 2018
blogs , Ireland , Yumi Shimizu

An amazing time in Strandhill

During the study week, I went to Strandhill, Co. Sligo on a surf trip. Strandhill is a vibrant seaside village and a pleasure resort located in the west of Ireland. With its wild Atlantic waves it is a very popular spot for surfers throughout the year as well. In other words, it is one of the best places in Europe to surf!! In addition, there are lovely cafes, surf clubs ...

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