In her blog, Malaysian Student Ambassador Joey Lim Loo Yi reveals how she adapted to a new type of life in Letterkenny during the pandemic
I am a second-year student studying Food Science and Nutrition in Letterkenny IT. Looking back to the day when I landed in Ireland, my mind was filled with worries and excitement. However, studying abroad now can be even more challenging due to the pandemic.
In this post, I’m going to share how I adapted my life in Letterkenny during the pandemic.
Ways to establish connections through virtual meetups
During these hard times, it is tough to meet new people. Therefore, participating in virtual events organised by the college and societies will greatly help you to connect and get to know some new friends in the college!
Sometimes we might face stress from assignments that will affect our mental health. By actively joining virtual events and reaching out to others, you can receive support and gain positivity from one another.
Letterkenny IT’s International Student Ambassador team formed buddy groups among the international students in the college to create a support system for all of us here, which aims to keep us in touch with each other and serves as a platform for mental support.
Get out of your room more often!
Do not forget to get some fresh air after a long day of hard work! Research shows that sitting for long periods of time will lead to a number of health concerns. There are many captivating landscapes in the Letterkenny area, so I would normally stroll around the town to de-stress.
Nevertheless, the weather in Ireland is not always great. So be prepared to have a reflective vest or raincoat ready when going out for walks!
Time management is still relevant and important
Studying is still the priority for us. Online classes are more challenging these days because we can be easily distracted by our surroundings. So, a greater form of self-discipline is required.
Proper time management will help you to reduce procrastination and work efficiently. We can achieve good time management by prioritising tasks, setting a time limit to complete a task, planning ahead, and removing non-essential activities.
Master a new skill!
Currently, we have better flexibility on arranging our time as all the classes are held online. It is definitely the best time to learn a new skill to develop ourselves!
Back in the day, I couldn’t cook at all. Throughout the pandemic, my cooking skills greatly improved, and I found that I am really enjoying it!
A famous Chinese proverb once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. I strongly believe that if you start to learn a new skill from today onwards, you will master the new talent that you’ve learned in the future. There is no better time than now to pick up and master a new skill.
Have fun studying abroad!
Getting a chance to study overseas may be a once in a lifetime adventure, so make it one of the most beautiful moments in your life! Stay positive, meet new friends from around the world and explore your potential!
Ireland is a beautiful country, and it is worth your time to explore what it has to offer.
Stay safe during this pandemic! Feel free to contact me for any enquiries.
Joey Yi is studying Food Science and Nutrition in Letterkenny IT