The Ireland Fellows Programme Orientation Day took place on Friday the 23rd of September in the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge. 166 Ireland Fellows from over 30 countries and 15 HEI’s in Ireland came to Dublin to find out more about what is in store for their year in Ireland.  

Welcome and introductory remarks kicked off the day from Ms. Laura Harmon, Director, Irish Council for International Students. Colm Brophy, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora gave an introductory speech via video to welcome the Fellows to Ireland. Irish Aid were present to give an overview of ‘What We Do’ by Tom Crowley, the Policy Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs. We were delighted to welcome Ireland Fellows from 21/22 to give their perspective on their time in Ireland and their best tips and tricks for the year. We were joined by Simon Peter Ngorok, MSc in Global Environmental Economics, NUI Galway, Jacinta Sakala, MSc in Strategic Management, UCD and Ruth Nandazi, MA in International Development, Maynooth University. 

Following this, Dr. Padraig Wims, Associate Professor (Rural Development), School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin spoke to the Fellows about Becoming a Student in Ireland. 

The Union of Students in Ireland spoke to the Fellows about the role of the Students’ Union on campus, which was followed by an introduction to the Ireland Fellows Volunteering Programme by Tajana Mohnacki, Training and Activities Officer, Irish Council for International Students. Volunteer Ireland, Irish Universities Association and Student Volunteer, and STAND were also present on the day to speak to Fellows about various opportunities that are available to them.  

That evening, the Ireland Fellows headed to the Harbourmaster for an International Night of food, fun and dancing.  

Saturday brought a day of sightseeing for the Ireland Fellows as their Cultural Immersion Weekend kicked off. Each Fellows had a Dublin Pass for the day to admit them to any attraction in Dublin. Fellows went to the Teelings Distillery, Dublin Castle, the Book of Kells, Dublin Zoo and much more. Some Fellows participated in walking tours of Dublin, including special tours such as ‘Alternative Dublin’, ‘True Crime of Dublin’ and ‘Dublin Street Art. We headed to Taylor’s Three Rocks for an Irish night of dancing and music, educating the Fellows in sean nós, beef stew and Irish whiskey!  

Sunday saw a beautiful day of trips to Malahide, Dún Laoghaire, Powerscourt and Howth. Each Fellow got to choose which trip to participate in and got to soak up the sights of their chosen location.  

“We had a blast, and I cannot begin to imagine the hard work and administration involved in pulling off a weekend like that! The work you guys do is unbelievable and has created lifelong memories we could have never imagined. On behalf of the fellows, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Cannot wait to see what you guys have up your sleeves next.” Athi, Ireland Fellow, 22/23  

A fantastic weekend was had by all. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who gave up their time to help make this weekend happen and all of the staff at ICOS for same.