On Sunday and Monday January 19 and 20, 2025 UL Global welcomed almost 600 new international students to UL. Our award winning 7-day Orientation programme, voted best in Ireland* by international students, commenced on Sunday 19th when our students arriving at Shannon Airport were met by our brilliant UL Global Guides and travelled to their residences via our complimentary collection service.
On Monday morning UL Global hosted an array of information sessions such as Academic Essentials and Semester Essentials to best prepare students for the academic semester ahead. The afternoon was all about familiarisation activities and after picking up some essentials on our Parkway Shopping Trip, students came together for our Speedfriending event ‘FriendFest: Gel in UL’. Mixing groups allowed them to connect not only with their cohorts but with all international students and we could see the start of beautiful friendships form. Whether they connected through hobbies or experiences, our FriendFest was a huge success, and everyone went home having made lots of new friends.
On Tuesday afternoon, thanks to UL Academic Registry and their outstanding Orientation Guides, the students were given their campus tours to help them navigate their new campus and the maze that is the Main Building. In the evening, over 500 hundred students enjoyed traditional Irish music and dance, with live musicians and Irish dancers at our Trad Night in the Stables.
Following information workshops on Wednesday morning, the students took part in our highly popular Scavenger hunt, a fun and energetic way to discover our beautiful Campus. The day’s activities ended with a relaxing screening of the highly acclaimed ‘secret of Kells’ movie in UCH.
Thursday’s activities commenced with workshops on Consent and Culture followed that afternoon by the hilarious comedy bingo hosted by Steve Bennett, giving students the opportunity to build on friendships and connections made throughout the week. For those that still had energy the day ended with a high-octane fitness class in the Arena hosted by Derek Mackessy and Ian O’Donoghue.
Storm Eowyn’s arrival in the early hours of Friday Morning, saw our orientation activities move online, while we waited for the storm to pass. The Highly acclaimed Celtic Steps performance was deferred for a week, but will no doubt be just as well received next week!
With clear skies on Saturday morning our students were able to take part on our highly anticipated excursion to Limerick City and of course the Saturday Morning Milk market, allowing our students the opportunity to sample the best of local cuisine. The weeklong activities ended with a trip to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher and a final chance to relax and explore before classes on Monday Morning. The aim of the UL Global Orientation programme is “to ensure International students have a smooth transition and integration into the campus community”. Based on student feedback throughout the week we are delighted to say that we not only met but exceeded our objective!
*I Graduate International Student Barometer survey 2024
UL Global would like to thank Kaye Morrissey and Grainne Folan, UL Academic Registry along with the campus tour guides, Ms. Michelle Daly, AHSS, Ms. Maria Healy, UL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office, ITD, and all our stakeholders and Orientation guides.