International Student Ambassadors

"My name is Siobhan Keenan and I am from Midland Park, New Jersey, USA.  

I‌ am currently studying English and Psychological Studies in my second year at NUI Galway. I chose NUI Galway because I love Galway City and the school couldn’t be a better fit. 

My two subjects, English and Psychological Studies are the perfect fit for what I was looking for.  I’ve come to Ireland ever since I was a child and I couldn’t be happier that I now get to live here year round in one of my favorite cities."

— Siobhan Keenan, Undergraduate Arts Student from New Jersey, USA

 "My name is Ameer Gazder, I am 18 years old and I am doing a Bachelor of Civil Law at NUI Galway. I come from Narragansett, Rhode Island but have strong family ties in Ireland. Having been born in Galway, I have spent my entire life coming back to Ireland during school vacations and summers to visit family and enjoy the amazing culture and atmosphere of Ireland. It was this affection, familiarization and attachment to Ireland that drove me, as an American, to actually attend university in Europe, specifically NUI Galway.

Studying in Ireland has provided me with valuable insight into the educational, professional and cultural atmospheres of the country, which I now wish to share with other American students who are looking into possibly studying abroad in Ireland. Be it the fantastic education system present in the universities, the rich culture and heritage of the country, the warm hospitality of its inhabitants or any of the other countless reasons to love Ireland, there is always something that captures the heart of every student who studies here.

 And as a student ambassador, I will be tremendously eager to help potential international students find their own specific niche here in Ireland."

— Ameer Gazder, Law student and Student Ambassador, USA

"I like how my programme balances both the theory and the practical and I’ve found the teaching staff to be friendly and helpful and always available for questions or to meet them in their office time. The New Engineering Building is a fantastic facility especially for me.

Galway is a nice place to live in. The people here are very friendly and everything is nearby you which makes life simpler."

— Hamad Alawadhi, Undergraduate Engineering Student, United Arab Emirates

"Hi, my name is Julia Warnes and I’m currently doing an MA in Medieval Studies at NUI Galway. I’m originally from Canada but decided to make the move to Ireland from a drive to experience Irish culture and explore my heritage.

‌The decision was one that I will never regret. Since my arrival, the university has truly demonstrated all the wonderful things it has to offer. Probably the number one word I would use to describe the place is welcoming. The people are extremely friendly and although I have only been in this country for a few months, it is already starting to feel like home.

Galway is a great city to meet new people and make lifelong friends. One of the most encouraging aspects about the university is that the faculty has been so supportive and they really take an interest in the students.

My program is ideal because of its interdisciplinary nature, allowing students to interact with other departments and explore other fields of knowledge. NUI Galway is a great place to study, with its high academic standards and supportive student environment."

— Julia Warnes, MA in Medieval Studies, Canada

"I chose to study at NUI Galway because I found a good choice of interdisciplinary research topics and a perfect match between my research interests and my supervisor. There are also good funding opportunities and the option to collaborate with other universities and research centres in Ireland and Europe.

Since I’ve been here I have benefitted from flexible access to research  labs, in particular the state-of-the-art High Performance Computing (Supercomputer) facilities. My PhD programme also includes other courses aimed at developing my research skills.

Galway is a medium sized, comfortable town to live in with all the facilities of a big city. The Irish people are friendly, helping and easy going and Ireland is an English speaking country, so there have been no language problems for me during work or in day-to-day living."

— Sandeep Pande, PhD Student, India

‌I was fortunate enough to receive the Joint-Governmental Scholarship from China and Ireland and to find the unique course in Landscape Archaeology at NUI Galway. The excellent standard of education in the MA Landscape Archaeology provides advanced archaeological theoretical research methodology and academic practice.

The professional and competent approach to teaching directs me in my understanding of the archaeology and anthropology of both western and eastern cultures. The development of deep understanding of Landscape Archaeology will promote cultural acceptance among divergent ethnic populations in China, and point to ways in which we can protect our shared cultural heritage in its landscape setting.

NUI Galway offers an international and positive atmosphere in a beautiful environment, the staff at all levels fulfil their responsibilities to each student. The city of Galway is such a nice place with a rich historical and cultural atmosphere. The study and life here will provide the chances to discover the splendours of the natural landscape, and to experience the authentic Irish culture.

— Guo Jia, Landscape Archaeology, China

"As a Master’s student in the Economic Policy Evaluation and Planning program at the JE Cairnes School, I was impressed by NUI Galway’s students, faculty, and facilities.  The program size was small, allowing me to learn from and become friends with my fellow students in a collegial atmosphere. The faculty were fully dedicated to students, easy to talk to, and well-versed in their fields.

 Meanwhile, the facilities at NUI Galway were top-notch, with great computer labs, libraries, and social spaces. Lastly, I enjoyed living in Galway, with its historic city center and scenic seaside promenade; Galway was a perfect launching pad for trips across Ireland and Europe.

 During my time in Galway, I gained a unique understanding of economic policy in the context of Ireland and the Eurozone. I strongly encourage international students to consider study at NUI Galway."

 — Mohit Agrawal, MA in Economic Policy Evaluation, USA

"Hello all aspiring scholars, my name is Siobhan Allaeddini and I am from Newport Beach, California. I am currently attending NUI Galway where I am studying Commerce and will be graduating in 2013. Often when people realize I am from a foreign destination I get asked the same question, “Why did you leave Orange County for Galway?”

‌The answer is simple enough. The culture, lifestyle and education programs far exceed anything I felt I could have received at home. In most European universities, from the moment you begin your course you are studying what you wish to pursue your career in. No general education classes teaching you things you are genuinely not interested in. In essence, you get what you pay for and what you want. In addition to the straight-forward education system, Ireland and its people have a reputation for being THE friendliest and liveliest European country.

Prior to my attending NUI Galway, I had been to Ireland several times between my Irish Dancing competitions and my mother visiting her immediate family members (she was born and raised in Kildare, Ireland). The culture and lifestyle were no surprise to me; however, I know for most other students it isn’t all that drastic either. That can be credited to the people and laidback atmosphere that encompasses all of Ireland."

— Siobhan Allaeddini, Business student, USA

I am studying Accounting at NUI Galway. When I first came to Galway, I felt that it was the most serenely beautiful city I had ever seen! During my first year, the teachers were all so professional and thoughtful towards us.

In my spare time, I joined some societies and clubs which I was interested in and participated in many fantastic events. This was a great way to meet new people and exchange experiences with other students.

— Lao Suining, Undergraduate Student, China

"Hi! My name is Kelsey Donohue and I had the pleasure of studying at NUI Galway during my semester abroad in Ireland. As a Long Island native turned Hudson Valley resident at Marist College in New York, I was excited to‌ travel and explore Ireland. Drawn by my family’s Irish roots, Ireland just seemed like a natural choice. When it came to deciding which university to attend, NUI Galway was exactly what I was looking for.

I took a combination of Culture, History, English and Philosophy classes. My favorite class was by far Arts in Action which taught the evolution of Ireland’s traditional music through concerts and events taking place right on campus. It was something I would never experience at home!

Galway’s location in the West of Ireland is absolutely incredible. It is the perfect location between the breathtaking Irish countryside and bustling Dublin city, making it easy to accomplish plenty of sightseeing during your time abroad. Whether it’s enjoying a stroll down the bustling Shop Street or joining the local Galwegians in a dip in the refreshing Galway Bay, you will easily call Galway your new home."

— Kelsey Donohue, Arts student, USA

The first thing that attracted me to NUI Galway was the great reputation of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, the only centre of its kind in the world. Human Rights Law is a hugely important area both in terms of international law and international relations. I chose to study this subject in order to help improve human rights and promote the humanitarian concerns in the official and civil life in China.

With its excellent facilities and professional and international environment, NUI Galway is the perfect place to do this. NUI Galway is a lovely place with lovely people. I would certainly recommend NUI Galway and Ireland to other international students. Galway boasts a great combination of people, culture and literature, not to mention Irish music!

— Jia Wang, PhD Student, China