Scholars of 2018

It is crazy to think that just over a year ago I had no clue that the University of Limerick existed, since it is now one of the most significant parts of my life. I will forever consider myself extremely lucky that I got the opportunity to be one of the scholars of the iGeneration scholarship programme.

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After being awarded with the scholarship, I’d spend a lot of my time looking up photos of UL on the internet. I was fascinated by this campus and got even more pleasantly surprised when I came to UL and saw with my own eyes that photos can not even come close to capturing the beauty of this environment.

Besides the magnificent appearance, UL is also special for its endless resources, which make academic life much easier. Everything that a student might need for them to excel in their studies is always offered by the university. I am studying computer science and always have access to hundreds of computers at any time of the day. The study process is very interesting , we have a lot of group projects, which not only makes learning more fun, but also allows us to get to know and communicate with each other. Weekly events are always held in order to minimize any stress that studies might be causing, everything from workshops on how to take care of your mental health, to puppies in front of the university specifically brought for students to pet and play with.

In my opinion, UL is the perfect place for self growth, and not only academically. Living in a foreign country alone comes with its challenges but in return teaches you many valuable lessons in a very short amount of time. The level of independence that I have obtained in just one semester is almost unbelievable to me. I spend my free time here going on trips all over Ireland, participating in some of the hundreds of clubs and societies of the university, getting to know other students from Ireland and all over the world, going to the gym or swimming at the olympic size pool located right on our campus, reading books and studying at our gorgeous library and more.

And how pleasant it is to be doing all of this in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. No matter where you are, you are constantly surrounded by nature. Irish people are friendly, polite and love to have fun. I already can not imagine my life without the friends that I have made here in just one semester.

For these reasons and more, I will be eternally grateful that I got the chance to study here and can not wait to see what the future brings!

iGeneration scholarship is the best opportunity for every Georgian student to get high quality, western education. University of Limerick is the place where everyone can achieve their life goals. The environment of the university motivates students to be actively involved in both academic and extracurricular life of the university.

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When I heard about the iGeneration scholarship I started finding information about the University of Limerick and Ireland. After some research I discovered that Limerick would be one of the best place to get high quality education. University offers students modern educational programs with high emphasis on research and undergraduate work experience. Also, the campus of the university is one of the best campuses all over the Europe. So, I decided to apply for the scholarship. When I got the letter from iGeneration stating that I was selected for the scholarship I was very happy. The scholarship changed my life for better as I got the opportunity to get western education in the field I connected my life years ago.

The academic process of the University is very well organized. We are taught subjects that are very recent for science and are not offered by many other universities. We are given opportunity to take other non-related subjects as well. Professors are very helpful and motivated to give students high quality education. Besides academic life university offers students extracurricular activities. Everyone can join societies and clubs that are well organized and established.

Applying for the scholarship was the best decision I made so far.

Being a scholar of iGeneration and studying in UL has been one of the most interesting and pleasant experience of my life. This foundation gave me an opportunity to live in wondrous campus (Probably the most beautiful campus in Europe) and do the course which perfectly fits my interests. This kind of student life is what I have always dreamt of.

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If anyone asks me what is the moment that changed my life the most, I will answer that it is the moment when I received a call from iGeneration and found out that I won the scholarship. In couple month I was at the place which totally exceeded my expectations – University of Limerick. Here, academic system is quite different but made to maximize productivity and help students to become professionals.

University campus makes studying process comfortable and fun. This beautiful environment prevents students from stressing out, on the contrary campus is their one of the most favorite places to have fun at. This is because of lots of clubs and societies, fields and gyms where you can do any sport you like and university bars or clubs, which is the best place for socializing and spending time with the course mates.

So far, every day has been interesting and productive for me. Modules that I chose turned out to be better then they sounded. Lecturers talk in a way that they provide the huge amount of information, but at the same time motivate and interest students. One thing that really amazed me was an endless amount of resources that university has. It is always possible to find out more and more about any subject, this is the reason why libraries and labs are never empty.

Ireland and Irish people are another reasons why living here is truly amazing. I have already visited Cliffs of Moher, the magical place which attracts millions of tourists and Dublin, the capital where lots of people want to work, have fun or visit. Irish people are easy to get along and people you want to have fun with, this is why I already have several close friends and why I never get bored here

I look forward to fully explore Ireland and use every opportunity given by the university.

Of course, only after iGeneration scholarship was founded we were given this generous opportunity. If not the kind will of people who believe in the power of quality education and in us, the scholars, all of this dream reality would not be possible.

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I recently got an email from the head of Mechanical Engineering school at UL inviting all the female students in STEM subjects for a late lunch in main Engineering School building during next week just for a little chitchat and a cup of coffee. That’s UL in a nutshell. Since the day I arrived here every week has been full of events, gatherings and workshops. University of Limerick is special because it provides diverse possibilities for everyone, starting from undergraduate students struggling with the first year’s assignments finishing with Manga and Kayaking lovers. You can learn, grow and express yourself all at the same time.

In Georgia, I used to study Civil Engineering at Agricultural University in Georgia and switching to Construction Management in Ireland should not have been a big change. Though, when I started the first semester I was amazed. University of Limerick offered better-structured and well outlined courses, with huge recourses available. My course is relatively small with only 60 people and it really feels like I am part of the family. Our classes are involving, interesting and even only after the first semester I can feel I have already grown as a person and as a student. Our course director and the main lecturers are professional and friendly people who with their dedication to their job remind us how important our professionalism is. UL has showed me how diverse my profession can be and that multiple global opportunities are out there for me as a young striving student. I know my hard work will pay off and I know I have the ability to make an impact in my career in the future. Other than my regular schedule I am involved in Dance society, Women in STEM society, International society and even Windsurfing. I love taking walks around our vivid campus, meeting new people, enjoying Olympic swimming pool and the gym every so often, finding new spots, taking pictures of the beautiful sceneries and enjoying student life as much as possible. Of course, only after iGeneration scholarship was founded we were given this generous opportunity. If not the kind will of people who believe in the power of quality education and in us, the scholars, all of this dream reality would not be possible. Getting the chance is only the first step of a successful life. Making your dreams come true is the next long-term investment, step by step accompanied by Igeneartion family, responsibilities and support.

iGeneration offers a life-changing opportunity for Georgian students and I’m still surprised that not many are aware of it, maybe because it seems too good to be true.

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When I first heard about the scholarship and the University of Limerick, I knew I shouldn’t have missed that chance. More I explored the information, more I fell in love with the university. Beautiful campus, excellence in teaching and research, sports facilities, international outlook, exchange programs and work placement were few of the reasons why I decided to become part of the UL community. At some point, I even started following student Instagram accounts to become more familiarized with the social life and different activities that university and the town of Limerick had to offer.

Needless to say, all of my expectations have been exceeded from the point I arrived at UL. Each and every day was different and I even thought I wouldn’t get enough time to explore everything. The first turning point for me was the idea of being part of the global community. Being surrounded by 15 thousand students, of which almost 15% are international, you are getting an astonishing exposure to the global public and during these several months, I’ve probably made more friends than ever before.

I’ve chosen to do the international business course which turned out to be even better than I thought. ‘’Design your own degree” is the main idea behind the international business, which offers students the flexibility of choosing different modules. At the same time, an academic exchange is a compulsory part of the program with over 100 partner universities. Because of all the perks that program has to offer, there’s a high demand for limited places and usually, only the ones with the highest CAO points make the list, that’s why we are called an ‘’Elite Business”.

The number of students who are getting an education in western countries has increased significantly in recent years, which has led to an intensive competition for job’s market. In many cases work experience plays a crucial role in one’s future success. That’s why the University of Limerick offers not only an excellent education, but also works the placement for the whole 8 months, which is the largest placement program in the whole EU. It is not surprising that UL students are 30% more likely to get a job compared to other Irish university students. I’m already looking forward to my internship in 3rd year.

The thing I like most about UL is that you can have a perfect mix between studying and socializing. Every night there’s something going on and it feels so good meeting your friends after a tiring day. And to be honest, Irish people are probably the best at having fun. It is literally impossible to get bored here and even harder not to make friends.

Applying for iGeneration scholarship was the best decision I have ever made, time will prove how valuable and precious this experience would be.

For me being a UL student has been all about involvement. It has been about being involved in classes by interacting with the lecturers, who are always eager to help. It has been about using the vast resources offered in the laboratories and in the library. It has been about joining some of the 75 available clubs and societies and perusing my hobbies and interests, or finding new ones. It has been about making new friends from Ireland and all over the world. It has been about kick starting my career in the right direction.

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‘Get involved!’ – This was the main message that resonated in all of the welcome speeches on my first day at the University of Limerick. Various representatives of UL talked about the intellectual and infrastructural resources available at the university that would guarantee a quality education for the students, but they also emphasized that the only way of getting the full benefits of the degree was by involvement in different aspects of the student life. The last 2 years at UL have shown me just how correct they were! Through constant involvement I have come to discover that UL is many wonderful things:

UL is a great place to learn. I am studying Construction Management and Engineering. In engineering, practical demonstrations of the concepts learnt in the classes are vital. Hence, the availability of numerous top class laboratories is one of the many advantages of the University. Also having lecturers who are leading professionals in their fields, and are always eager to help and share their knowledge, has been an immensely motivating factor for me. Another important aspect of studying at UL is the vast network with other Universities all around the world. Students have an opportunity to go on a semester long exchange and diversify their education. I am in the process of planning my semester abroad at the Nanyang Technological University, in Singapore and am very excited for it!

UL is a perfect place to kick starts your career. After acquiring a degree at most Universities, you enter the job market with a lot of knowledge, but without any work experience. In response, the University of Limerick has made it a compulsory part of their undergraduate studies to go through an 8 month work placement, on a job associated with your studies. This makes UL graduates more competitive on the job market and explains why UL has the highest employability rate after graduation, in Ireland. This will happen in my next, third year and I am very much looking forward to working at one of the leading Construction companies in the World.

UL gives amazing opportunities to pursue your hobbies. University of Limerick has over 75 active Clubs and societies dedicated to making time at UL as enjoyable as possible. I have been a huge rugby fan for a number of years now and UL rugby club has given me an opportunity to play for the team and be a part of the committee that is in charge of it. I have also taken up new hobbies, such as windsurfing and Trampoline. These clubs have allowed me to make great friends and to spend my free time adventurously.

UL allows you to make friends from all over the world. Irish people are renowned for their friendliness and their ability to have an amazing time, or ‘to have a great craic’, as they would say it. Hence no matter where you go in Ireland, you will make wonderful Irish friends and have a lot of fun. Plus, University of Limerick hosts a few thousand International students every year from all over the world! I have met people from almost every continent and made much needed connections in the modern, globalized world.

UL Campus is a large living organism. I have often thought that if I desired, I would be able to survive very well without ever leaving the campus, because it is equipped to accommodate all of the students’ needs. There are lot of student accommodations in various places all around the University buildings. There are a number of restaurants spread all over the campus for eating out, plus there is a shop where you could buy food for cooking at home. There are also a number of bars dedicated to entertaining students through evening activities. Campus also includes a large sports arena with a gym, a swimming pool, a diving pool, a sauna and other facilities, plus there are a lot of fields for rugby, football, tennis and other sportive activities. A 650 capacity University concert hall hosts concerts, shows and other forms of entertainment throughout the academic year. There is also a barbershop, a contemplative center for praying, printing shops, launderettes and what not. Lastly, the campus itself is very green and beautiful. I have often walked around the pathways near the river, over the bridge and in other places to relieve some stress and clear my head during busy weeks.

UL is all of the mentioned above and much more! At first I contemplated if starting another undergraduate degree was worth it, but after enrolling at the University of Limerick all my doubts have dispersed. This experience has been made available to me by the iGeneration foundation, without which I wouldn’t be able to afford it. The day that I first heard about the University of Limerick and the iGeneration Foundation has become pivotal for me and from that point on, my life has become more interesting, more challenging and more rewarding. Thus, if somebody is looking for a place to acquire education and at the same time make lasting friendships, enjoyable memories and kick start their careers, UL is the place to go!

In these (almost) three years of being iGeneration scholar I was able to discover new, exciting horizons and goals for myself. Mostly because through the new experiences that I had various opportunities to acquire I learned so much about myself as well as what the world has to offer, I now see most clearly what I want, can and should aim for. I would not have grown and developed this much without iGeneration scholarship. It was most certainly a life altering decision for me and now, especially after the exchange semester in Japan, knowing what can be, I have never been this focused on the future instead of the present, looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

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I first learned about UL when I read the email that iGeneration sent. First thing I saw was the campus and I loved it. Then I read about UL, its learning facilities, resources and ratings. I liked everything, so decided to take my chance. Another thing that had me excited was the fact that there was a programme for Business Studies with Japanese, because I had already studied Japanese language for a year when I learned about UL and the iGeneration scholarship. I was very happy to receive the offer letter from UL. The truth is this is my first time abroad, and coming here was the first time I sat in a plane, so everything was doubly exciting. Knowing I am going to live in Ireland for the next four years is still overwhelming. I love how nice everyone here is. It is very important especially when you are in a completely new environment. It is nice to know there are people you can turn to if you need anything and it is not just people from International Education Division, everyone is extremely nice. Everything here seems to be about the students. Educational standards are high and there are lots of opportunities for us. I am especially looking forward to co-op. I really want to do it in Japan. That is a once in a lifetime chance for me, since my wish is to work in Japan. So I am very grateful to have this amazing opportunity and will do my best to achieve this goal of mine. I would never be able to study for my bachelor’s degree abroad if it was not for the iGeneration scholarship. I am not exaggerating when I say that my life has changed.

For me being a scholar of iGeneration and a student of University of Limerick http://www.ul.ie/ has been all about changes and experiences. I have changed in so many ways: improved my lifestyle and living skills, increased cultural understanding and interpersonal/listening skills, bettered my study and research skills, etc. Concerning experiences, I have did so many new things, starting from small things like learning how to bake khachapuri in Ireland or how to do shopping and laundry all by myself, ending with big experiences such as participating in the most prestigious Oxford and Cambridge debating tournaments, spending an exchange semester in Singapore and kick-starting my career at Ingersoll Rand, an integral part of my education at UL- cooperative education placement. Probably, applying for the iGeneration scholarship was one of the most valuable decisions I have made in my life so far!

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I want to be honest, so I have to mention that I had never heard about the University of Limerick before attending the presentation organised by iGeneration. The only Irish university I knew about was Trinity College. The same evening, I went on the net and visited the web page of the University of Limerick and since that day I knew that it was the place where I would like to go to study.

First of all, one thing that I loved the most when reading about UL was the amazing and very beautiful campus, of which I can happily say that I am part of now. When I saw the video showing all of the campus, it was an obvious choice for me that I wanted to study at UL. The second reason for choosing UL was the International Business course it offers to students. I really feel that this is the programme designed for my needs. I love to make choices and learn what interests me the most, not what somebody else thinks I should learn. So the flexibility of the programme which allows you to build your own education throughout 4 years at the university was one of the key factors for choosing UL. There is no such programme in Georgia! The third reason why I chose UL is the cooperative education programme and the vast opportunities to study abroad which is a compulsory component of my programme. I personally strongly believe that the work experience and study abroad experience that I will obtain during the 3rd year of my study will be crucial for my future successful career. The fact that UL provides these opportunities to students was very important when choosing to study here. Another important reason was the high employment rate enjoyed by graduates of the university every year which is far above the national average. This meant for me that UL has the formula to help its students become the professionals that are needed in today’s market. I wanted to see how this education system works and benefit from it myself. The very last but very important point is, of course, the iGeneration Foundation. Without it I couldn’t even have dreamed about studying at UL, because I couldn’t have afforded the costs which are very high for my family as is the case with most Georgian families. So knowing that there was the chance that my studies at UL could be financed was another factor that helped me to make the decision.

The journey to UL was full of filling out applications, getting the required forms and documents, passing the TOEFL test and all those kind of stressful things. Then I received the email from UL saying that I was accepted and it meant that it was time for the interview with the iGeneration Board. Actually, in my case, there were two interviews that were quite stressful because of the time intervals between them and waiting for the results. Finally the very rewarding outcome became reality - I became a fully funded student of the University of Limerick and I knew that I really wanted that!

I have had a lot of experiences at UL already! The academic process is quite different with a lot of academic rules and procedures that I have never been familiar with before. At the same time, there is a lot of reading that needs to be completed for each module, so time management and planning your study is very important to be successful. It is quite challenging to get going in a new academic system but at the same time I can see that the system is built in a way to benefit students so that they have a bright future and I will try to dedicate as much time as possible to my studies.

Another very important aspect of university life for me is the extracurricular activities that I participate in. One that I would like to highlight is the Debating Union of the University of Limerick. Debating is one of my hobbies and passions. I just love doing it and cannot imagine my life without it. I joined the society and within weeks the dream that I’ve been dreaming of for the last 5 years came true - I am going to the World Universities Debating Championship 2015 organised this year in Kuala Lumpur! Also in November I will attend inter-varsities in Cambridge and Oxford which was one of the things I always really wanted to do as a debater! So to sum up to this point it should be said that the University of Limerick really provides students with ample opportunities to have very interesting lives outside of academics - all the clubs and societies are just amazing and I am very happy to be part of the UL experience!

The last new experience worth mentioning is the independent living. I have never experienced it before. It is quite challenging for me to cook, clean and do all those things that need to be done around the house which my mom used to do for me. At the same time it is a very important experience because I am becoming an independent person capable of surviving on my own.

My future plans at present are as follows: I really want to get the most from my time spent at UL, both for my academic and personal developments. It is also very important for me to get a very good placement abroad during the 3rd year of my programme e.g. in Far East Asia (Singapore or Hong Kong) or in the US and continue that fantastic academic experience with a challenging cooperative education placement in an interesting company that could benefit me a lot in my future career. After graduating I want to take a 2-3 year academic break and dedicate my time to start building a successful career. I would then love to do a Master Degree. This is how I see it now, but it may change, of course!

I think that the iGeneration Scholarship will play a crucial role in achieving my future goals in life, without it I simply wouldn’t have been able to come and study at UL. Without the iGeneration Scholarship it would have been impossible to make some of my dreams a reality or to fulfil my plan for the future. All of those things would have been impossible for me to achieve if I had stayed in Georgia and didn’t get all the support from this wonderful scholarship programme. I am sure I will have to thank its founders many more times in the future for giving me this fantastic chance!