04/05/2022
nationality : Brazil
ISC / College Course: Engineering & Sciences International Foundation Year
Progression Degree: BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology
ISC
At the International Study Centre I studied a science Foundation Year. Now I'm second year science. Environmental Biology.
Instead of going straight to UCD, I decided to do the Foundation Year so that my subjects would match the standards of UCD, so I wouldn't struggle so much with the subjects. I would be up there with people who had studied in Ireland their whole lives.
There were a lot of subjects I’d learned that people in Ireland didn't quite know yet, such as chemistry, some maths, and biology, especially biology. So it helped me through the first and second year of science.
If I went straight into university, people would already know each other from high school. Sometimes, it’s hard to get to know everyone. In the ISC you have small classes so you can get to know people that you’ll end up in classes with university. If I didn't go to the ISC, I would be a little lost.
Studying in English
My dad is Irish, so I grew up speaking English with him. Pretty much all my life, I’ve spoken English.
Location
Coming to Ireland, I really took into consideration the opportunities for studying, and where it could lead me in the future for my career.
My favourite thing in the city as a whole is that nothing is far apart. That's why I feel Dublin is actually quite small, you can do anything by foot almost. And if you want to go somewhere to eat there's so many places and so many options.
My favourite thing to do in Dublin is to meet up with my friends and go out in the city or maybe to the beach.
Arrival
I felt a little bit lost, and a bit crowded because I didn't live in such a big city. But Dublin is actually quite small once you get to know it. Now, it's really easy to get around.
Degree subject
I wanted to study science because it gives a perspective on everything. You start by looking at something so small, such as a cell, all the way to the universe, and whole organisms and how they communicate and interact with each other, and how humans impact other species. I feel like I've been wanting to study science my whole life.
My speciality in science is environmental biology. When deciding between other subjects, I took into consideration what I’m interested in. Even if I have to put in the work, it will pay off. I felt like that with all the subjects I was taking that had environmental biology in them. So that's why I picked it.
I feel like labs and practical work is really important because it helps you actually feel what you're learning. It's not just a theory or a concept. You are looking at it right in front of you, and you can see how it works. It's not out of context, it's with everything else that you're doing, and you can see the results right after.
My favourite thing is that I didn't have to pick anything right at the beginning, I could change my mind. For example, I started with general science, so I got to try a little bit of every science – a little bit of neuroscience, microbiology and geology – and see what sort of subject I was more interested in, so I could decide what actual career I want to do.
Career / Future
I feel practical experience will definitely make a huge difference when applying for jobs. I already have experience and I know how to work the basics, like pipettes and sewing machines.
I'm doing an exchange next semester. I'm going to Australia and I feel like that's a really good opportunity. Queensland University. The university sent emails about going on an exchange. The application is all online. You have to have a certain GPA and you have to match the university that you're going to, so that it has the same degree you're on. Then you just apply and go. That's how I found out about it. It's a great opportunity for the future.
Besides showing a bit of initiative, and not being afraid to go to other places and work with other people, it’s also another really good qualification internationally, as really highly-ranked universities are partners with UCD. I think that employers would see that as a benefit over someone that didn't go on an exchange.
I don't really have a dream job but I would definitely like to do something where I do practical work outside, not just in an office or another lab.
Some of this stuff you sort of figure out yourself, like, "I'm not really interested in that". But the lecturers are very encouraging in asking questions.
Tips and advice for potential students
Definitely do research, not only into the city but also if it's the right choice for the subject that you want to take. UCD has such a good ranking, so definitely put that into consideration when coming here.
The University
I think science is really good at UCD because, besides just having lectures, you can get practical experience doing labs. It's a really good thing, and the lectures are really, really good. They explain everything very thoroughly and there's also online support. It's easy to learn actually.
I use a lot of online features, especially ebooks because the biology books are massive. And some online quizzes to prepare for exams.
In the labs, I've learned to use a lot of equipment that I'd never even thought of before. Different microscopes and pipetting, and different techniques, and also the math support centre. The maths support centre here at UCD is a big office inside the library. You just go in, give your student number, and then you sit down and a tutor will come and ask what sort of problem you're having, what module are you doing. It’s really helpful.
Date Last Modified: 14/02/2022 11:08
Division: UKEU Higher Education
Brand: University College Dublin
Country: Ireland
Location: Dublin
