Going Abroad & doing a Masters ...

Through societies, Erasmus Programmes, Internships, class trips away or for research you could find yourself abroad whilst attending University College Dublin. UCD offers its students unmatched opportunities to study at our 200+ international partner universities and institutions around the world.

I didn't go on an Erasmus myself; I had the 'economical' choice between spending one year abroad or doing a Masters Degree.  Things would have been totally different for me if I had chosen one over the other. Without regret I can accept this.

I did try make up for not going by trying to visit friends who were away studying and undoubtedly having one of the best cultural experiences one can have.. (It’s probably very important to mention, they also enhance your employment prospects.)

Bilbao for example was incredible!

 [Picture of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao 2010]

Many students from around the world chose UCD when wishing to study abroad, it's only natural that you get to meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and places. Because of this I've got friends to visit all across the globe, from Australia to America. 

Mastering an adventure:
For my Masters Year I did however get to have my own adventure, whilst researching for my thesis I had to go to a number of places (London, Lincoln and Cambridge) and I tried to see as much as I could whilst getting my research done – mixing work with play.

I started off in London in order to visit the Kew National Archives to examine primary source material for my thesis.  

[London]

[Lincoln]

[Breffni, Eva and myself punting in Cambridge]

[Cambridge]

All these places I had to visit to consult archival material to help in writing my thesis: 

(it's quite a mouth full I know) 

Hopefully at University you too will find something you’re very interested in and wish to study further. 

I felt very strongly about the value of taking a historical perspective, I think a good understanding of history should play a role in all states decision making role processes, so I chose to study the History of International Relations.  

It was a great experience and helped boost my desire to ultimately become a lecturer – wishing to remain in academia.