Overcoming challenges in Ireland

Overcoming challenges in Ireland

Moving to a new country to live and study can be a bit of a shock to the system – adjusting to life on your own, balancing study and social life and even getting used to a different climate, you can never be fully prepared for what lies ahead. But you’re not alone, in his new video, Student Ambassador Sumit Gautam from India tells us how he has dealt with the changes in his life and wants to share his learnings from his time in Ireland so far… (more…)

5 Reasons I Chose Ireland For My Masters

5 Reasons I Chose Ireland For My Masters

It can be tough deciding where live and study, aside from having a planet full of countries to choose from, you also have to think practically about your needs, wants and the practicality of it all. Well, after a lot of research and deliberation, Student Ambassador Sumit Gautam from Delhi, India decided to study in Ireland. Watch his new video to find out the five main reasons he chose Ireland… (more…)

Does Ireland make you an independent person?

Does Ireland make you an independent person?

Moving thousands of miles away to study abroad can raise a lot of questions; will I be able to go it alone? Will I make friends? How will I manage my newfound independence? Lots of little worries that can sometimes be hard to shake but, at the end of the day, it’s better to just go with the flow and take new experiences and challenges in your stride.

Student Ambassador Bindhu Purushothaman from India has faced her fears and embraced the challenge of having to adapt to become independent…  (more…)

Are you a beach or a mountain person?

Are you a beach or a mountain person?

Bindhu Purushothaman, a Masters student originally from India, writes about the stunning natural landscape in Ireland and her experiences travelling the country to visit the numerous mountains, hills, cliffs and beaches.

Pandemic Travel Restrictions

My name is Bindhu Purushothaman, and I was born and raised in India. To me, travel is a unique way to relax. However, for many people like me who love to explore and tick places off of their travel bucket list – everything was put on halt in 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luckily, Ireland is full of natural beauty and places to visit. I’m generally an introverted individual who transforms into an extrovert when I have the opportunity to talk about my travelling experiences. When I was choosing what country to study in, I chose Ireland because of its travel links and access to surrounding countries. Did you know that you can reach Iceland by a two hour flight from Ireland? I haven’t made it to Iceland yet, but I have been exploring Ireland.

The Irish Landscape

In my opinion, Ireland would delight people who enjoy hiking and beaches. It’s a country that appeases independent souls, social butterflies, extroverts and introverts. Ireland is a land of variety which welcomes all. It has something for everyone, from small parks to luscious vast green lands. There’s a diversity of wildlife, from morning walks alongside swans in rivers to harmless foxes crossing the road at night.

Ireland has beautiful waterfalls. There are numerous waterfalls in Ireland, perhaps due to the substantial amounts of rain. During the summer months, the trees and plants are a lively green. Autumn presents us with orange and brown shades, creating a cosy environment. The waterfalls all differ in size and shape, but to me they offer soothing music which could almost put me to sleep!

 

The Sea

Ireland is an Island, and has a plentiful choice of beaches for swims, dives, and picnics. On most sunny days in Ireland, I’ve made it to the beach! To the west, there’s the Atlantic Ocean and to the east, there’s the Irish Sea. The wild Atlantic waves are a surfer’s paradise!

Ireland being an island surrounded by water bodies provides us with more choices of beaches to swim, dive and to picnic. A sunny day in Ireland can be considered to be the beach day. To the east, there’s the Irish Sea and to the west, the Atlantic Ocean. The wild Atlantic waves are a surfer’s paradise. Taking a freezing dip in one of the beaches is on my to-do list!

The sea also provides amazing views and cliff walks. When I’m on the cliffs, I see a mixture of green meadows, tides and waves crashing into huge rocks, and lighthouses. The wind wrestles with us, showing nature’s energy. These cliffs provide a glimpse of natural beauty in all directions. On these cliff walks, I realise how tiny we are in comparison to the sea.

Hiking

Last but not least, we must talk about the hills and mountains hikes in Ireland. It would be difficult to cover the numerous amounts of trekking and hiking spots within a year. There are a range of walks, some are easy and moderate, others are difficult. If you’d like to trek in a group, there are numerous trek and hiking organisations that meet at weekends. These organisations are a great way of making new friends to share these new experiences with!

Personally, I love the mountains. When I reach the top, I find peace because I’m so close to nature.

Bindhu, originally from India, studies a Masters in Cloud Computing at the National College of Ireland