University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Ryan

Sa mhír is déanaí den tsraith 'Alumni Spotlight' de chuid Ollscoil Luimnigh, labhraímid le Jennifer Ryan.

In the latest instalment of the Alumni Spotlight Series we speak to Jennifer Ryan.

1. Abair linn píosa beag fút féin? Is as Caladh an Treoigh i gContae Luimnigh dom, agus d'fhreastailís ar Ghaelcholáiste Luimnigh.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself? I’m from Castletroy, Limerick and went to school at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.

2. Cad é an cúrsa léinn a ndearna tú staidéar air, agus cén bhliain/bhlianta ar bhain tú an cúrsa sin amach? Rinne mé staidéar ar Law Plus, Baitsiléir Dlíthe a ligeann duit mionábhar a roghnú. Rinne mé staidéar ar an nGaeilge mar mhionábhar agus bronnadh bunchéim orm i 2019. Leanas orm chun máistreacht sa Nua-Ghaeilge a dhéanamh agus bronnadh an chéim sin orm i 2023.

2. What course/s did you study, and what year/s did you graduate? I studied Law Plus, a Bachelor of Laws that allows you to choose another subject to minor in. I chose to minor in Irish, and graduated in 2019. I went on to do a master’s in modern Irish, which I graduated from in 2023.

3. Cén fáth gur roghnaigh tú dul le cúrsa in Ollscoil Luimnigh? Is Luimníoch mé agus bhís i gcónaí ag cuimhneamh ar Ollscoil Luimnigh. Ar deireadh, roghnaís Ollscoil Luimnigh mar gheall ar na cúrsaí a bhí ar fáil agus an deis dul ar Erasmus agus taithí oibre.

3. Why did you choose to study at University of Limerick? The University of Limerick was always an obvious choice for me being from Limerick. Ultimately I chose to study at UL due to the courses offered, and the opportunity to go on both Erasmus and co-op.

4. Bhí deis agat foghlaim ó fhoireann acadúil aitheanta agus tarraingt ar áiseanna den chéad scoth in Ollscoil Luimnigh. Ar mhiste leat cur síos a dhéanamh ar an taithí sin? Bhí léachtóirí den scoth agam i Scoil an Dlí agus Léann na Gaeilge araon. Rinne mé ana chuid oibre le Gordon Ó Riain nuair a bhí mo thráchtais á scríobh agam, agus d'fhoghlaimís ana chuid uaidh. D'fhéach mo thráchtais ar éifeachtacht reachtaíocht Gaeltachta le caoga bliain anuas. Ana dheis a bhí ann mo dhá ábhair a úsáid le chéile.

4. As a University of Limerick student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like? I had fantastic lecturers for both law and Irish modules. I worked particularly closely with Gordon Ó Riain when completing my thesis, and learned a great deal from him. My thesis looked at the effectiveness of legislation designed to support the Gaeltacht, and was a great opportunity to combine my interest in both law and Irish.

5. Cén chomhairle a thabharfá do chairde léinn atá ag machnamh ar staidéar a dhéanamh in Ollscoil Luimnigh? Scaoil faoi!

5. What advice would you offer to students considering studying at University of Limerick? Go for it!

6. Cén chomhairle a thabharfá do chairde léinn atá ag machnamh ar dhul le do léinn féin? Tá réimse leathan ábhair ann, roghnaigh cinn a dtaithníonn leat. Déan cairde maithe agus tapaigh gach deis.

6. What advice would you offer to students considering studying your course? There is a huge range of modules to choose from, so choose modules you enjoy. Make friends and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.

7. Tá cáil ar Ollscoil Luimnigh mar ‘Home of Firsts’ – an dtagann tú leis sin? An raibh aon chéad taithí phearsanta agat féin gur mhaith leat a roinnt linn? Chuaigh mé ar Erasmus go Malta agus b'shin mo chéad uair ag maireachtaint thar lear. Deis den scoth.

7. UL is known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced here, that you would like to share? I went on Erasmus in Malta which was my first time living abroad, and a really fantastic opportunity.

8. An bhfuil aon suíomh nó ionad ar leith ar an gcampas atá gar dod’ chroí? An leabharlann agus a chomharsanacht, áit mhaith chun bualadh le daoine.

8. Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you? The library and its surrounds, it was always a good place to meet people.

9. Conas mar a d’ullmhaigh do chúrsa agus do chuid taithí ginearálta in Ollscoil Luimnigh tú don suíomh oibre? Bhraitheas ullamh don áit oibre tar éis Ollscoil Luimnigh. Bhí taithí oibre déanta agam i GECAS, agus am caite agam i gcomhlacht dlíodóirí i Malta sula dtosaigh mé mar intern le Matheson.

9. How did your course/s and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating? I felt very prepared for the workplace after graduating from UL. I had completed my co-op placement at GECAS and worked in a Maltese law firm before beginning an internship with Matheson on graduation.