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), the Arqus Team at Maynooth University had the privilege of hosting a student intern from Aga Khan University. The virtual internship commenced began in August 2024 and immediately the intern began making significant contributions. To enrich the learning experience during the internship, the MU Arqus Alliance Manager, Ben Finnegan, arranged an unexpected in-person visit for the intern, Alfred Oryem, who is currently based in Gulu, Uganda.

Following a series of meetings, visa interviews, and thorough preparations, Alfred arrived on campus in November 2024. During his visit, he played an active role in supporting the Arqus Alliance Working Group Co-Leads event, further enhancing the team’s efforts.
Alfred, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Digital Journalism, shares his first-hand account of his experience at Maynooth University below.

Have you ever walked into a place and felt like this is the place to be? That was exactly how I felt when I first set foot on the campus of Maynooth University. My journey began in the southern campus, a serene and quieter part of the university, where the magnificent St. Patrick’s Chapel stands proudly among old Irish buildings. The tranquility and historical richness of the southern campus were captivating, offering a peaceful retreat.

In contrast, the northern campus buzzed with energy and modernity. It was here that the vibrant pulse of university life could be felt, with students hurrying between classes, engaging in lively discussions, and immersing themselves in various activities.

But my journey to Maynooth University started three months earlier when the Aga Khan University announced its Reciprocal Virtual Internship Programme (AKU-RVIP) in June. I was initially reluctant to apply because as a student at the Graduate School of Media and Communications, my schedule was already packed with coursework, assignments, and my daily job. Taking on an additional, non-compulsory internship seemed like too much. So, I set the idea aside.

However, as the deadline approached, I saw the post again and thought, why not? Working in a multicultural environment had always been my dream, and I believed that one day I would work for an international organization.

Fast forward, I was accepted for a virtual role at Maynooth University as a Digital Marketing Intern. There, I met Ben Finnegan, my mentor, and Desree Efemuai, my immediate supervisor. We connected instantly. Ben is a visionary who not only brings out the best in people but actively seeks opportunities that suit them.

It took just one session to realize how incredible Ben is. He introduced me to various individuals with extensive experience and expertise in different fields, significantly contributing to my career growth.
Desree and I hit it off right away as well. She introduced me to Sway, an online platform for developing newsletters that I had never used before. Our bond grew stronger with each task we completed together.
And as fate would have it, one morning, during my weekly session with Ben, I logged in – only to find him, Desree, and the team from AKU-RVIP. For a moment, I feared my internship was being cut short or something bad had happened. But to my surprise, Ben asked me, in front of everyone, if I would accept an invitation to have an in-person experience on campus.

The joy in my eyes was unmistakable. I had never imagined that things would turn out this way. It was already gratifying to learn so much, but meeting Ben and Desree in person took everything to a whole new level.

That very day, I rushed to the online Irish visa portal with all the excitement still running in my veins, but my initial application was declined by the Irish Embassy in Kampala. It wasn’t until Ben intervened and wrote to the embassy explaining the situation that I got an appointment and, eventually, the visa.
It was a great joy for me and my wife. She immediately got busy making snacks for the trip, knowing I wasn’t good with foreign food. The snacks came in handy indeed.

I left home a happy man, but on my way to the airport, I received news that my daughter was admitted to the hospital with malaria. Children and malaria are never a good combination. The poor girl developed sores in her mouth and couldn’t eat for days. Fortunately, working in the hospital had its benefits. I reached out to Dr. Dativa, a wonderful pediatrician who personally took care of my daughter until she was discharged.

After a few hiccups with my connecting flights, I finally arrived in Dublin, Ireland, on the evening of Monday, November 18, 2024, after leaving Entebbe on Sunday night. The weather outside the airport was extremely cold, with the wind blowing and rain gently pouring. But I told myself that if other humans could live in this place, then I too would survive. A bus took me to Glenroyal Hotel near Maynooth University, where I checked in.

Desree was there to greet and welcome me the following day. It was a busy week for everyone. An Arqus event was being organized on campus, and everyone was running up and down. I got to meet Aimee, Philippa, and Emma from the international office, though Ben was out of the office. I was glad to help with the preparations for the Arqus event.

Desree and Ben had been preparing for this event for more than six months, and you could see the joy in her eyes when the branding materials arrived and were put up. Despite the busyness, Desree still found time to take me on a brief tour of the campus.

Maynooth is a big university with a rich history. The southern campus houses St. Patrick’s seminary, which trains young men to become priests. It has a magnificent chapel that I couldn’t fully take in. The northern campus is fairly new, but you can feel the real vibe of the university there. With its contemporary facilities and dynamic atmosphere, the northern campus is where I’d choose to be if you asked me – right in the heart of the action.

When I finally met Ben on Wednesday morning, I found him to be a nice, simple guy with a sense of humour. After learning about my daughter’s situation, he gave me a present to cheer her up when I got back home.

Ben took me to meet Professor Patrick McCole, the Vice President International, who was equally looking forward to meeting me. Patrick is keen on growing the partnership with Aga Khan University and saw my visit as a big opportunity.

The big day for the Arqus event finally arrived on Thursday, and everyone was up for the task. I could tell how important this day was because Desree was wearing her best makeup, which I hadn’t seen her in since I arrived.

After setting up the banners in strategic locations, I was asked to greet and direct the guests to the boardroom on the 3rd floor of John Hume’s building, where the president of Maynooth University would address the gathering shortly. I was nervous because I didn’t know how to differentiate between Maynooth students and the Arqus Alliance guests who had flown in from eight other universities across Europe.

But God was on my side. After watching a few of them walk in, I could tell who was a student and who was a visitor. The students were mostly Gen-Zs, walking fast with large headphones, tapping their phones, and minding their own businesses without really looking where they were going. The visitors, on the other hand, were curious and walked cautiously, scanning the area with their eyes. I could see the relief in their eyes once they spotted the Arqus logo on my jacket.

Aimee joined me towards the end of my assignment and took me to the event area. Ben had arranged for me to meet the President. As we stood outside waiting for her to finish her address and catch her attention on her way out, I kept wondering whether it was even necessary for a nobody like me to meet a high-profile person like the president. What would I even say?

Before I knew it, she was walking right up to me, and the next thing I heard was, “This must be Alfred, our student from Uganda. Please come over and we take a photo,” as she firmly shook my hand and the rest is history like they say.
I am still coming to terms with what happened to me back then, even as I write this reflection. All I know is that I witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I’ll cherish this memory for the rest of my life and tell my grandchildren at the fireplace.

At Phoenix, the building where all the networking activities took place, I ate breakfast and took a few videos for my social media accounts. I took even more later in the day at the student event and elsewhere on campus, with Desree as my model. Check my Instagram if you want to catch a glimpse.
I’m not much of a foodie, so I won’t bore you with a detailed narrative about Irish cuisine. In all honesty, I’m the kind of person who can eat the same type of food all year long. My colleagues at work can predict my breakfast and lunch choices at the canteen with uncanny accuracy.

But since you’re curious, let me share one memorable experience at Phoenix. It was lunchtime, and we were running late. Aimee insisted that I go before it was too late. When I arrived, amidst all the wonderful goodies Ireland has to offer, there was rice. I had been craving rice all week, and there it was, beautifully adorned in yellow.

What followed was pure bliss. Each scoop of rice felt like a warm embrace. The chicken curry added a delightful kick to this reunion, and I could almost hear my stomach sighing in contentment.
My stomach was so grateful that it didn’t care what I ate next. That’s why I agreed to try lasagne later that evening at O’Neills, a restaurant just outside the university, encouraged by Desree. You see, people in Ireland enjoy so many delicacies, but I was only able to try a few. In my defense, a nutritionist said you’re what you eat. For that matter, I fear becoming things I might eat.

After a rewarding Thursday, I met Rebecca, the Vice President External Relations, on Friday morning. Rebecca started her career as a journalist, so we had plenty to talk about. It was refreshing to be validated by someone of her caliber. Everyone at Maynooth is incredibly passionate about the partnership with Aga Khan University.

In the midst of all this, my cousin Kofie, who I had thought lived in Northern Ireland, reached out. He was actually in Carlow, just a few kilometers from Maynooth. His father had told him about my trip, and he was eager to meet me for the first time.

We made plans for the weekend, but before Kofie could come over, Ben’s father was waiting in the hotel lobby to take me for a ride. As a country boy, I could never say no to such an offer.
We set off towards Straffan. The not-so-old man, a natural storyteller, took me through Ireland’s history from the 1920s to present, weaving in his experiences in South Africa during the apartheid regime.
His warmth and friendliness were a perfect embodiment of the Irish spirit. Everywhere I went, I felt this same welcoming nature – from the hotel staff to the people I met on campus. Even in the restaurants, the waiters and waitresses would always stop by to check if I was doing okay, making me feel truly at home.

Time flew as we discussed history, religion, family, traditions, and so much more. Ben’s father had a way of making every story come alive, and I found myself completely engrossed in our conversation.
His deep knowledge and genuine interest in sharing it made the ride an unforgettable experience. He’d ask me to write down some things and look them up later for myself. We made it back just in time for a cup of Irish tea at his house before heading to the hotel where Kofie was waiting.
I could recount everything Kofie and I did later that day, but that’s a story for another time. I can only tell that the love and warmth I received at his house were immense. We connected deeply, like the true family we are and talked brother to brother.

Everything that has a beginning must also have an end. Sunday arrived, marking my last day in Ireland. Desree came to say her goodbyes, and it truly felt like a farewell. She’s a gem, making work enjoyable and taking great care of me throughout my stay. Home was calling, but in so many ways, this place had become a home too.

The partnership between Aga Khan University and Maynooth University is a testament to the power of collaboration and the endless possibilities that arise from working together. This unique opportunity has not only enriched my academic and professional journey but also allowed me to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Irish people. I encourage my fellow students to seize such opportunities, as they offer invaluable experiences that go beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth and global understanding.

The internship may have ended, but the memories and lessons I’ve gained will stay with me forever. This experience has opened doors to new perspectives and connections that I will cherish for a lifetime. I am grateful for the chance to be part of this incredible journey and look forward to seeing how this partnership continues to flourish, benefiting many more students in the future.