by Bindhu Purushothaman | 23 Jul, 2021 | India
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…)
by Hasan Sabir | 16 Jul, 2021 | Pakistan
Wondering how to spend your weekend? The sun in shining and the beach is calling so why not take Hasan Sabir’s advice and spend the day in Bray? In his first appearance on the blog, Pakistani Student Ambassador Hasan tells us why he thinks Bray is the ideal location for a day out! (more…)
by Emily Titsworth | 1 Jul, 2021 | USA
Society conditions us to believe that doing things alone is something we should feel uncomfortable about. Emily Titsworth, Student Ambassador from the USA, dispels these societal norms in her first blog post as she speaks openly about the reality of going it alone and doing so with ease! (more…)
by Bindhu Purushothaman | 29 Jun, 2021 | India
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
by Jun Jie Khong | 29 May, 2021 | Malaysia
Do you think you’re making the most of learning online? Well, Malaysian Student Ambassador Jun Jie Khong certainly does. In his recent blog post, he explains how he has used his extra free time to better his computer skills. As well as improving his virtual presence, Jun Jie has upped his game in the real world by landing himself a part-time job!
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by Jesmin Ram | 28 May, 2021 | South Africa
Tests, paperwork and long-haul flights; South African Student Ambassador Jesmin Ram speaks about the trials and tribulations of leaving home for study during the second wave of Coronavirus in Ireland.
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