Tishé
UCD gave Tishé Fatunbi the freedom to pursue her passion for theatre alongside her academic interest in psychology with the support of an Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarship.
The Ad Astra Scholarship was a dream come true for Tishé.
"I always knew I wanted to study psychology, and when I found out about the Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarship at the Open Day in 2019 I knew I had to come to UCD. Getting scholarship support for my extracurriculars as well as my degree was something I'd always dreamed of, but I really didn't think that was an option for theatre and acting."
She received the support she needed to excel academically and flourish creatively.
"UCD helped me in so many ways. I was always very busy and doing too many things at once – that's just my personality – and the faculty in the School of Psychology encouraged me to pursue all my interests. My research interest was counselling and clinical psychology for adolescents. I was a very highly strung teenager – it's not fun and there's a lot you're trying to figure out – so I was always interested in that demographic. My brilliant supervisor, Professor Louise McHugh, collaborated with me on designing my own research project, which I really appreciated, and Dr Alison Stapleton and Suzanne Guerin were also incredibly supportive and encouraging.
Within the Ad Astra Academy, Kellie Hughes has always been fantastic. If there's any way she can help, she always will. She taught me that I don't have to say yes to absolutely everything, and how to pick and choose what I spend my energy on."
Her family and friends have also provided love and support along the way.
"My mom has always been my biggest supporter. She's fantastic. She never let me believe there was anything I couldn't do if I tried, but she always put my well-being ahead of any achievement. She's always been very proud of me. My friends have been so lovely too. Because UCD is so big, you end up clinging to a group of people and they become your friends for life. I've loved all of them and I've carried most of them with me from undergrad into the rest of my life, which is wonderful."
Between student societies and a job with UCD Estates, Tishé was wholeheartedly involved in campus life.
"I did everything and I had a great time! Dramsoc and the friends that I had within Dramsoc were just the backbones of my life at UCD. I ended up setting up a theatre company – Arínóla Theatre – with two of them. But if it wasn't for Dramsoc, we would never have met. Myself and my friend Usher were the first Diversity and Inclusion Officers for Dramsoc, in 2022 – that's something I'm really proud of. We were working towards making the theatre a more inclusive space for everyone.
I worked on the well-being team in UCD Estate Services for a few months, supporting students living on campus. Aishling Kennedy Dalton really helped me to develop myself professionally and use the skills I learned during my masters in the real world. It was great to be able to give back to UCD in that way."
Isabella
Isabella hails from Germany and is currently studying a Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice. We asked her a few questions about why she chose to study at UCD in Dublin and what life as a student here is like. This is what she had to say:
What made UCD stand out as your place of study?
The university’s focus on career guidance and its outstanding industry ties were one of the main factors influencing my decision. I wanted to choose a school that would offer not only a great experience during my time of attendance but also promising prospects following graduation. UCD ticked all the boxes.
What is your UCD experience like? Social, classes and lectures
What I most appreciate about my classes is the effort made by the lecturers. It is undeniable that they enjoy teaching, which makes attending their classes even more of a privilege. The active discussions of the week’s material are something I always look forward to. There is also plenty to do whenever I’m taking a break from schoolwork. Particularly, the events organized by the Reslife team are great opportunities to try new things and meet new people. From movie nights to trips, they offer such a wide range of activities that I never have trouble finding something I enjoy. There definitely never is a dull moment at UCD.
What is your fondest memory to date from your time living in Ireland?
A few weeks after moving to Ireland, I took a trip to the Cliffs of Moher to learn more about Irish history and explore the county. The day away from the bustle of the city and the opportunity to experience Ireland’s breathtaking natural beauty, while learning about the country’s past was one of the most educational experiences I have had off campus. Seeing more of the country also helped me settle in by familiarizing myself with my new home away from home. My day trip to the west is therefore easily one of my fondest memories of my time here so far.
How will your degree benefit your career?
My degree will allow me to progress to a PhD and pursue a career in research. The skills I am learning during my degree, as well as the qualification itself, are therefore essential to my chosen career path.
Who are the most interesting or helpful mentors that you have at UCD?
My lecturers are my most interesting and helpful mentors as they provide support not only on matters concerning their classes, but on any career-related queries one might have. By sharing their personal experiences with careers in academia, they offer valuable insights beyond the scope of their lectures.
Jet
Studying an MSc in Digital Policy at UCD helped Jet Klokgieters decide to pursue a career abroad.
With an undergraduate degree in sociology and a research masters under her belt, Jet Klokgieters knew she wanted to explore more about the effects of digital technology on society.
Having completed her previous studies in the Netherlands, Jet now planned to study abroad. Her mother drew her attention to the MSc in Digital Policy at UCD, which was exactly what she was looking for. The fact that the course was one year long was a draw too, since Jet had just completed a two year master’s degree.
She applied to the course and was delighted when she was accepted.
“Dublin is the heart of digital Europe with Google, Meta and all those companies having their headquarters there. The city itself is nice, and UCD is also a really good university. I think everything sort of came together.”
To make the most of her experience studying in a new country, Jet had saved up over the years. This allowed her to afford to live in purpose built student accommodation in Dublin, and focus on her studies. She was keen to get to know Ireland better, and visited many of Dublin’s museums.
“Dublin is quite different from the Netherlands, but also quite similar because it’s still sort of Western Europe. I think Ireland also has its own distinct culture and is really unique.”
Jet found UCD to be a very inclusive environment, full of people from all walks of life and with many different experiences. Some of her happiest memories from the master’s are the daily conversations she would have with three friends she made at UCD.
“People were welcoming in UCD…I had friends. I felt at ease, happy and connected.”
Jet enjoyed her course and the fact that the master’s class was small, which she felt led to a better learning experience and provided her with the chance to connect with her lecturers.
“I tried to make the most out of the opportunities here. I talked a lot to the professors and asked a lot of questions in class.”
An aspect of the course that surprised Jet was the opportunity to complete modules outside of her discipline in related fields, such as a law module that she took on data protection and privacy.
“I was not expecting to be able to do a module at master’s level in law but they knew that there were students from Social Sciences, so they didn’t make it too technical.”
Jet enjoyed living and studying abroad so much that she is now exploring opportunities to work outside of the Netherlands.
Valetha
Valetha Fladrich is ready to take the next steps in her career after completing a master’s degree in Human Resource Management at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
A self-professed globe-trotter, Valetha Fladrich, has always been interested in traveling to new and exciting places. She grew up in Singapore and then went to study for her undergraduate degree in Australia.
Valetha then met and fell in love with her now husband who is from Germany, and moved to Europe after two years of a long distance relationship. They initially lived together in the Czech Republic, before moving to Ireland five years ago.
Valetha worked in human resources for a large multinational company for a number of years. She always knew that she wanted to return to education to further develop her skills and enhance her career prospects.
Eventually she decided to study for a (opens in a new window)MSc in Human Resource Management at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School where she was impressed by the schools’ global reputation.
“It’s internationally recognised so it’s great to broaden my network…I’ve studied in Australia, I’ve studied in Singapore and have never seen such an international cohort of classmates.”
The employability of graduates was also a factor which influenced Valetha’s decision to study at the UCD Smurfit School.
In particular, the programme provided an opportunity to specialise in the field of HR and earn a professional accreditation.
“My master’s degree is Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development [CIPD] accredited. CIPD is the professional body for HR professionals…which means that going forward, apart from the Irish market, I could also work in the UK market. The CIPD accreditation is an equivalent to the SHRM certification in the USA.”
While studying for her degree, Valetha also got involved with co-curricular activities. She saw these activities as an opportunity to connect with others outside of the classroom and apply what she was learning in lectures to real life situations.
“Undergrad, I was very focused on the academic side of things, so this time around when I was doing my master’s, I wanted a change.”
Valetha took part in the Global Leadership Programme where she had the opportunity to be mentored and volunteered on the newsletter team producing content.
“We had a lot of sync up calls trying to brainstorm new ideas, how we can encourage people to join events. I really enjoy creating for social media, so I volunteered to do a few posters and I also came up with an idea whereby [students] could share stories about what they have done and how they feel about the programme.”
“I think going forward, I would be a mentor and hopefully I can help someone in return.”
Having earned the Global Leadership Programme certificate, Valetha also achieved the UCD Advantage Award from UCD Careers Network and completed the Intercultural Development Programme.
Valetha has decided to further specialise in the area of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and is currently writing a dissertation on this subject. Moving forward, she plans to settle with her partner in Germany where she hopes to connect with fellow UCD alumni and stay in touch with the friends she made while studying at UCD.
“[UCD] will provide me with a solid alumni network…two of my classmates are originally from Germany, so when I travel over I also have the support of friends and guess what, they also specialised in HR. So that means, apart from friends, I also have a future potential network. You never know, we might be working the same company. I feel like the world, sometimes is very small.”
Simon
Simon Steel received his PhD in Astrophysics from UCD, studying the star formation histories of blue compact dwarf galaxies. He is currently Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research at the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute located in Mountain View, California, and heads the Institute’s education and public engagement programmes. Originally from London and a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC, Simon came to Ireland in 1991 and divided his work life between Belfield and the Canary Islands, and spent leisure time in Marlay Park with his two Dublin-born children, Conor and Aisling.
What made UCD stand out as the place you wanted to pursue your studies?
I came to UCD rather fortuitously, having started my graduate studies in the United States (at Brandeis University in Boston). My wife’s research lab moved from Boston to Trinity College Dublin, so I got in contact with the physics department at UCD. Brian McBreen’s Optical and Infrared Astronomy lab was studying quasars – my favourite astronomical objects. Brian and everyone in the department was wonderful in helping me transfer to Dublin, and I have never regretted the relocation. What was special about UCD was having the environment of a small, dynamic research group with the resources of broader connections to the UK and Europe. Best of both worlds!
What was your UCD experience like?
Arriving at a university as a grad student is a very different experience than as an undergrad. No classes for me, but I did teach some introductory physics labs and ultimately some physics courses. As a newcomer to Ireland I remember struggling with the pronunciation of names and got plenty of stick for that! I joined the rowing club and experienced some very cold but exhilarating mornings on the Liffey. Those early starts (at least, those spent on the river) ended when our son Conor came into the world!
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when you began studying at UCD, what would it be?
Don’t worry – the weather will improve. It didn’t of course (in Ireland at least), but I would tell myself to just enjoy the experience of studying. Dive into your work and it will all fall into place. PhDs, especially experimental ones, have a lot of inherent uncertainty. In astronomy you are reliant on many things that are out of your control, not least of all the weather. This takes me back to my first piece of advice, during my first research observations in the Canary Islands, we had enough clear nights to obtain a Ph.D.’s worth of data!
How has your degree benefited your career?
Although my degree is in observational astrophysics, my career path has taken me into science education and communication, which is really just an excuse to talk about the wonders of the universe! Teaching several courses at UCD led to teaching appointments at Harvard University, University College London, and ultimately the SETI Institute as head of education and outreach. I was also privileged to be invited back to Ireland in 2005 to be the Tyndall Lecturer for Schools, giving a set of talks around Ireland on how Einstein’s ideas have shaped our understanding of the universe. The most daunting engagement was an audience of about 800 schoolkids in Cork!
Disha
Disha Bose graduated with a Masters in Creative Writing from UCD. She has been shortlisted for the DNA Short Story Prize, and her poetry and short stories have appeared in The Galway Review, Cultured Vultures and Headstuff. Her travel pieces have appeared in The Economic Times of India and Coldnoon. Bose was born and raised in India and now lives in Ireland with her husband and daughter.
What was your UCD experience like — the social scene, classes, lectures
I only have fond memories of my time at UCD. I was new to the country and culture, having moved to Ireland for the Masters, and I was immediately greeted with warmth and hospitality. We were a small group, and it felt quite easy to make friends and socialise with the rest of my classmates. It also helped that there were people from all age groups and backgrounds from around the country, so I never felt like an outsider. There was always someone to go to the library with, stroll around campus or to grab a drink at the pub.
What is your fondest memory from your time at UCD?
I spent a lot of time reading by the lake, watching the swans. It was perfect and peaceful. I long for those days now.
How has your degree benefited your career?
Before the Masters in Creative Writing at UCD, I didn’t have the first clue about how to turn my love for reading and writing into an actual career. I had a number of abandoned novels on my computer, with no plan forward. The course really helped me streamline my work, and gave me the motivation to continue writing, and most important of all – showed me how to make a book deal happen. Apart from the personal feedback sessions with the lecturers, which I found exceptionally helpful, I was also motivated by the seminars conducted by published authors and other industry professionals. Some of them were very detailed, outlining how realistic it would be for a writer to have a career, and what steps to take.
Do you still keep in touch with your UCD classmates?
Absolutely! For years after the course, I was part of a writing group with my classmates. We used to meet once a month to critique each other’s work. It was a source of motivation and kept us all accountable. I’ve been lucky to be part of a class of several successful authors, and we continue to champion each other’s work.
UCD Graduate Admissions
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.(If you are an international student please visit UCD Global) T: +353 1 716 7777