Various students may find their university offers disappointing, but there’s no need for despair. There are alternative paths for those who didn’t receive their preferred offers or those who feel the offer they got doesn’t suit them. A trio of students illustrates their unique experiences.
Studying Overseas
Lisa Goodstein
My dream was always to study away from home. Initially, Edinburgh was on my list, but Brexit changed my plans.
My search light then turned to the Netherlands, where I discovered Groningen, a city equivalent in size to Cork, housing around 230,000 inhabitants.
All my classes are conducted in English, and the city has a unique charm whilst being an ideal choice for students all over Europe and even further afield. Many of my peers also attended international baccalaureate.
With assistance from Eunicas, a service that aids Irish students venturing abroad, I got settled. I had also applied for courses in Ireland, but these were merely a safety net. I was keen on expanding my perspectives, and knew that remaining in Ireland wasn’t my cup of tea. My extensive travel history from a young age and time spent on a student exchange in high school made me realise that I wouldn’t miss home as much.
I am now about to begin my third year and fully enjoying my term here.
The Apprenticeship Route
John Webster
Following my work experience in a kitchen during my transition year, I knew that it was my calling. My aspiration was to climb the ladder gradually, so I commenced with a level six commis chef apprenticeship.
The course I enrolled in was part of the education and training board in Sligo and it was a full-time commitment. Two days of the week were dedicated to college and the remaining three involved on-site training at a certified restaurant.
The blend of theoretical knowledge gained at college and hands-on training in the kitchen appealed to me. I walked into the course with minimal culinary experience, yet it equipped me with all the necessary skills ranging from handling and sharpening knives to perfecting vegetable chopping techniques.
I broadened my knowledge about traditional Irish, French and Spanish dishes. Additionally, we explored Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisines, discovered cooking techniques of different cultures and the history behind their cuisine’s evolution.
Throughout the duration of my culinary course, we dived headfirst into the theories of cooking. My culinary entrepreneurship module gave me comprehensive insight into the process of setting up a business, from market research and documentation, to information on applicable grants. We also undertook kitchen trials, dealt with packing initiatives, designed logos and labels, and became familiar with what comprises a top-notch label. I even ventured to create my own product line of seasoned rapeseed oils. This year, I graduated with top honours, received a promotion at the House of Plates in Castlebar, thanks to the kind assistance of the owner and head chef, Barry Ralph. I plan to leverage my degree for gaining international exposure. Though not sure of the kind of restaurant I might want to own, I am certain it would emphasise premium and sustainably sourced local ingredients. The apprenticeship allowed me to establish numerous connections and best of all, it was a paid position which offered me financial freedom from my parents.
After completing her school in 2022, Ceara Shaw chose to take a sabbatical year to stay and work overseas, gathering priceless knowledge from her experiences. On an impulse, she signed up for a yoga course at Killorglin Campus under Kerry College in September 2023, determined to delve deeper into her passions. Upon successful completion, she was admitted to a Dutch university for English Literature, with her course due in September.
Her gap year was spent travelling across various global destinations, volunteering at organic farms. At an organic permaculture farm in Tenerife, she indulged in morning yoga and evening meditation. Whilst she enjoyed the experience common amongst people her age, involving partying and alcohol, she found a profound connection of mind and body through yoga, which she decided was something she wished to maintain.
A friend of mine recommended a post-A Level programme at Kerry College in Killorglin, where I could explore yoga and holistic treatment, which piqued my interest.
I relished the course’s multigenerational environment, with a range of ages adding to the educational experience. The curriculum included modules on communication, safety and health, physiotherapy and medical contradictions, as well as outdoor activities like stand-up paddleboarding. However, it was the work experience – three weeks at a yoga and surf lodge in Co Mayo – that allowed me to put theories into practice and was the most valuable part of the course.
Even though it was a level-five course, it wasn’t overly stressful, leaving me time to gain practical skills like driving, independent living, and understanding nutrition. The surrounding environment offered plenty of support, from both my peers and Kerry College, assisting me to become prepared for the real world without being inundated by its demands.
All my friends went directly to university, igniting a fleeting concern of being left behind while they were settling into dorm life and starting classes, and I was preparing to go abroad.
However, with hindsight, my decision was right for me. While some of my friends are still unsure they made the appropriate choice, I am content. Achieving a score of 540 on my Leaving, offered choices. I did apply to the CAO, but felt unsure about my future course direction and hesitant about committing four years.
My initial choices through the CAO were creative writing and subsequently biology. I didn’t pursue either as I knew they wouldn’t have been suitable for me.
Presently, I have been fortunate to be accepted to study English literature at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The attraction of studying overseas was due to the cost-effective lifestyle and diverse accommodation options, as well as the thrill of embracing a new culture. With the benefit of this gap between school and university, I now feel that I better understand myself.
The excitement of the upcoming course, along with the chance to engage in discussions with individuals who share my passion for reading, is highly appealing. I feel I have a keen eye for well-written prose, and now look forward to understanding why that is.
A valuable adage I often turn to for inspiration states that growth and comfort are mutually exclusive. It is through unease that we truly evolve and develop as individuals. I opted for a less conventional path and I would strongly urge other learners to break the norms and pursue their own desires.