“Job applications can be stressful. First there’s the pressure of making sure the CV has highlighted all the right skills, and there are no spelling mistakes. Then there’s the first and second round of interviews and, often, a long wait to hear back …” (more)
[Peter McGuire, Irish Times, 12 November]
“This week, University College Cork (UCC) became the first Irish university in modern times to open a food bank for struggling students. The organiser, University College Cork Students’ Union (UCCSU), follows in the footsteps of several smaller institutes, which have recently reported on the success of food bank initiatives in their colleges. That such measures are needed, however, no doubt sounded alarm bells for many …” (more)
[University Times, 4 November]
“Ireland ranks 13th out of 23 European countries when it comes to pay levels for graduates with a bachelor’s degree. Those leaving college here can expect to earn around €31,075, just over a quarter more than the average salary of someone who finishes their education after secondary school. The figures come in a report from insurance and consulting group Willis Towers Watson …” (more)
[Ellie Donnelly, Independent, 25 October]
“To ensure accessibility of education and the well-being of its students, UCD should make its fees proportional to parental income. Not all fees are covered by the free fees initiative and Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). The most daunting factor of university is accommodation. With the rising cost of living in Dublin, any undue financial burden could keep a student from being able to attend school …” (more)
[University Observer, 12 October]
Abstract: Some of the main concerns in international higher education are the feeling of isolation among international students and their inability to adapt to the host environment, which may result in sub-optimal academic performance. Theoretically, peer learning can be an effective method to reduce these problems since it has the capacity to address isolation and adaptability issues among international students in a way that improves their learning experience and outcomes. Given the above, our study was designed to investigate this topic, focusing on the experience of international students. In this exploratory case study of a leading Irish university, we adopted a survey method via questionnaire to quantify and compare the experiences of a sample of international students at the said university. Five aspects of peer learning were explored, namely usage rate, current practices, outcomes, challenges, and coping strategies. We also included an open-ended section in the survey instrument for respondents to offer qualitative suggestions to the host institution. Through methodological triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative data, we discovered diverse practices, challenges, and outcomes of peer learning across different groups of international students in this university. The paper concludes with a discussion of research implications and suggestions for future studies.
Idris, A, Ion, G, Seery A Peer learning in international higher education: the experience of international students in an Irish university, Irish Educational Studies, 2018, 38, 1, 1-24.
“Leading sugar baby website, Seeking Arrangement, has reported that UCD had the highest number of new sign ups to their site in 2018, with 93 students registering stating they attended the university. UCDSU Welfare Officer Úna Carroll has described the surge in sign ups as ‘not surprising at all’ …” (more)
[Gavin Tracey and Aoife Mawn, University Observer, 8 October]
“Julia Bochenek, a second-year English Literature student at Trinity, is one of the many international students living in one of Dublin’s – and Ireland’s – many deluxe purpose-built student accommodation complexes …” (more)
[Rachel O’Leary, University Times, 5 October]
“Agus mé níos mó ná leathbhealach tríd mo chúrsa fochéime, éiríonn an cheist faoin bplean atá agam i ndiaidh an choláiste níos práinní gach lá. Táim cráite ag na comhráite a bhíonn agam faoin todhchaí atá romham ar bhonn rialta. Comhráite ainniseacha atá iontu – pléitear intéirneachtaí, taithí oibre, cúrsaí iarchéime agus an saol oibre go minic …” (more)
[Malachi Ó Marcaigh, University Times, 4 October]
“Some graduates can’t get out of college fast enough. They run out through the gates and into the independent adult world of rent, bills, responsibility – but it’s worth it, they think, for the freedom. Others have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, away from what may have been the best years of their life, and stitched into a desk for the daily grind of work …” (more)
[Peter McGuire, Irish Times, 27 September]
“When he started working at Brunel University in London 19 years ago, Terry Vass, who is now head of security, recalls that most of his work involved breaking up drunken fights outside the bars and nightclub on campus. Over the two decades he has been in the job, he has noticed a shift. Now, an increasing number of calls are for mental health incidents …” (more)
[Samira Shackle, Guardian, 27 September]
“Last week, while waiting outside a tutorial, I met a fellow second-year arts student. We struck up a conversation about the similar tote bags we both carried and the conversation – although very surface-level – was rather pleasant. Things took a strange turn, though, as within a matter of minutes she was divulging to me an incredibly detailed story about how she had been on ketamine at Trinity Ball and lost a small bag …” (more)
[Faye Curran, University Times, 24 September]
“The average graduate salary has topped €30,000 for the first time, according to a nationwide survey of new graduates. The survey also shows that Ireland’s young job-seekers increasingly want to work for multinational tech companies and consultancies, not Irish brands or the public sector …” (more)
[Shawn Pogatchnik, Independent, 24 September]
“Upon beginning in UCD as a freshman, what will be surprising to many is the degree of loneliness that can be felt on campus. Compared to a school environment, it’s suddenly a lot harder to catch up with friends. As well as the largeness of campus, clashing timetables can quickly become a hindrance to staying in touch with pals as much as we’d like to. It happens …” (more)
[Eva Earner, College Tribune, 21 September]
“One in three students rely on their parents to pay their college fees, according to new research. A new study from the Bank of Ireland shows that 36% of students rely on their parents to contribute towards college fees, which can reach the maximum of €3,000 per year. While Irish students have an average income of €9.20 a day, or €258 a month, 35% have less than €100 of disposable income per month …” (more)
[Gabija Gataveckaite, Independent, 19 September]
“‘I had an issue in Freshers’, said Lucy, ‘so this was like three days into me moving into the university house and I just had a meltdown and I had no idea what to do. So I was literally, like, I have known these people for 48 hours, where do I go?’ …” (more)
[Jenny Shaw, Wonkhe, 17 September]
“The term ‘lace curtain poverty’ was coined to refer to situations where the objective reality of being impoverished is compounded by the additional complication whereby your circumstances are assumed by neighbours and the wider community to be at a much more comfortable (even prosperous) level than they actually are …” (more)
[IFUT, 16 September]
“In a week which saw thousands of students flock to Limerick for the start of the new academic year, a landlord has charged a number of students €5.5k each up-front for privately rented accommodation near UL campus …” (more)
[Rebecca Laffan, Limerick Leader, 12 September]
“Despite being better educated overall – women aged 25-64, with a degree in Ireland earn 28% less than their male counterparts, according to a new report. This is among the findings in an annual overview of structure, finances and performance of education systems in the developed world, by the international think-tank OECD …” (more)
[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 10 September]
“Ireland has the largest pay gap between men and women with third level qualifications in the OECD. Education at a Glance, which was published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, shows that men educated to third level in Ireland earn more than their female peers …” (more)
[RTÉ News, 10 September]
“College students are being distracted from their education by looking for accommodation. Many students are still trying to find somewhere to live for this academic year. It comes as every college in the country has hiked its student living fees …” (more)
[Irish Examiner, 6 September]
