Looking for some guidance on choosing a study abroad destination for your postgrad studies? Souvik Roy is a Taught Masters Scholarship Student in Electronic Engineering at Maynooth University and in this blog he shares why leaving India for Maynooth was a great decision…

Deciding on a course and selecting a college can be an intimidating undertaking. Trust me, I know, I’ve been through it lads! It can be one messy job! But, if you choose the right course and the right institute, your decision to study abroad could be life changing and prove to be very rewarding.

Choosing a study abroad country

When I decided to go study abroad in Ireland, most of my family thought that I was planning to travel to the UK (I was like: “Get a map! For God’s sake!!). While Ireland is a neighbour to England, Scotland and Wales there is the small matter of the Irish Sea between them! While making this choice, I tried to weigh up the pros and cons and, honestly, at the end of my research, I found Ireland to be an ideal place to venture for my postgraduate studies – not least because Ireland is an English-speaking country. It’s much easier to live, study or work in a country that speaks a language you do!

The MU Electronic Engineering Department boasts of some of the best scholars in the field so all of you looking for a somewhere to further research, this is place you want to be!

With its renowned history of education and being the land of the saints and scholars, this country is also home to some of the warmest people you’ll meet. The Irish are fun-loving, humble, honest and extremely accommodating to visitors and students from across the world. Having said that, one should always be careful and alert when travelling in any modern city, including Dublin. There have been cases where students have been mugged so be cautious and careful to ensure your safety.

Ireland, a place of history, innovation and culture

Ireland really is the coolest country that showcases a rich history and a storied past. From passage tombs older than the pyramids to crumbling ancient castles, the island has vast countryside and sprawling lush green fields dotted with grand country estates. You can still see the influences of the 7000 year old cultures of the Celts, Vikings, Normans and the English here. In more recent times, Ireland made it’s mark in the international markets with rapid economic growth between the 90s and 2007 and is now through the worst of the economic crash that impacted so many countries around the world. In technology industries around the globe, one of the most important areas is engineering and Ireland offers world-class engineering schools.

The Irish are fun-loving, humble, honest and extremely accommodating to visitors and students from across the world.

World-class education in Maynooth

Maynooth University, sitting in the top 500 QS World University rankings and the only recognised Irish University by Princeton Review, offers cutting edge technology courses that prepare you for the professional job market. Handy when you take in the fact that Ireland is the base for headquarters of some of the top fortune 500 companies including Accenture.

The MU Electronic Engineering Department boasts of some of the best scholars in the field so all of you looking for a somewhere to further research, this is place you want to be! Maynooth University is an institution where students can feel free to discuss ideas and ask questions. Writing to the department and International Office helped me ahead of my move here, along with the information offered by the Maynooth University website. The International Office here is very friendly and caters to any queries student may have while studying here.

Meeting new friends

Talking to a few current students from Facebook groups helped me gain a broader insight into what to expect and I gathered as much information as I could get before choosing MU. Also, talking to Education in Ireland Student Ambassadors was a big help, so get in touch! We are appointed to help you guys! We were helped and supported by our predecessors and we vowed to keep the ball rollin’! So don’t worry, we’re there for you!

Maynooth University, sitting in the top 500 QS World University rankings and the only recognised Irish University by Princeton Review, offers cutting edge technology courses that prepare you for the professional job market.

I feel like I am in a home away from home. Maynooth is the only university town in Ireland and is located just 25km from Dublin city centre. Most people you meet here will invariably be students and making friends by engaging in pastimes and clubs/societies here is easy. Besides, getting involved with societies and new pals was a great way for me to take a break from my busy academic calendar! I have made some great friends from places like Japan, Tanzania, Pakistan, Malaysia, US, India, Brazil, Canada, Romania, Germany and of course quite a handful of Irish lads. Getting to know them, learning their ways of life and eating their food has given me the opportunity to learn so many new things. My advice would be to become friends with people who aren’t your age; hang out with people whose first language isn’t the same as yours; get to know someone who doesn’t come from your social class; This is how you can see the world. This is how you grow.

Any questions? Ask me in the comments below!

Are you interested in finding out more about studying in Ireland? Visit the Education in Ireland website for more information.