UCD Philosophy, Politics and Economics student Luca Comerford has just returned from a semester abroad at Tec de Monterrey’s Querétaro campus, where he was selected as valedictorian for the exchange group’s closing ceremony.
Luca was invited by the exchange staff to deliver a farewell speech on behalf of the entire cohort, an honour he didn’t see coming.
“I was chosen to do a closing speech for our time abroad that encapsulates all the shared and individual experiences we had along the way,” he said.
“It was a huge honour and the first time I spoke publicly in this way. As a bonus it was kept secret from the rest of the exchange, so it was a surprise to them all.”
Reflecting on his time in Mexico, Luca described it as a pivotal experience.
“I can safely say that going on exchange in Mexico was the best decision of my life. From the friends I made to the incredible experiences and discovery of an entirely new culture, everything was perfect.”
He noted how the exchange deepened both his academic and personal development.
“I greatly increased my proficiency in Spanish and I feel this has steered the direction of my life and what I wish to do after university. The exchange wasn't just fun, it also really helped me to develop my personal values, ideals and attitudes.”
For students thinking about studying abroad, Luca is enthusiastic in his recommendation.
“I cannot recommend going on exchange enough. To be able to experience another culture by living and studying there is truly incredible and is too great of an opportunity to pass up on. Absolutely do it, and get out of your comfort zone as much as possible.”
Each year, hundreds of UCD students study abroad through the Erasmus+ programme or a bilateral exchange outside of Europe. With more than 400 partner universities in over 50 countries, students can access a wide range of academic and cultural experiences while earning credit towards their degree.
Luca’s time in Mexico is a great example of how valuable an exchange semester can be, for language learning, cultural understanding and long-term personal growth.
🔗 Learn more about studying abroad with UCD: https://www.ucd.ie/global/learningabroad/exchanges/