I never planned to study abroad. Then a Mumbai career fair took me to Ireland
A chance career fair in Mumbai led one student to Ireland, where veterinary science became a journey of self-discovery. Between classrooms, leadership roles, homesickness, and growth, she learned that studying abroad is not just about earning a degree; it is about becoming someone new. She came for a degree, stayed for the growth
If someone had told me a few years ago that I would eventually move to Ireland to study veterinary science-related subjects, take on leadership roles in an international student community, and begin building a life thousands of kilometres away from Mumbai, I probably would not have believed them.
Like many students growing up in India, I had imagined my future unfolding within familiar surroundings close to family, within the fast-moving rhythm of Mumbai, and inside a system I had understood all my life.
Growing up in Mumbai meant growing up in a city driven by ambition, resilience, and constant movement. Often called the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai has a unique way of shaping the people who live in it.
Beyond its crowded trains and fast-paced lifestyle, the city taught me adaptability, persistence, discipline, and the confidence to keep moving forward even during difficult moments. At the same time, its cultural richness and diversity instilled in me empathy, openness, and a deep connection to my roots.
Science has always been at the centre of my interests. I pursued Biology in Class 12 and later started my Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science because I was deeply fascinated by research, medicine, animal welfare, and understanding how living systems function. Over time, that curiosity became even more specific. I developed a strong interest in animal psycho-neurology, behaviour, and healthcare systems.
Even outside academics, I naturally gravitated towards activities that involved discipline, creativity, and communication. My life was always packed with things beyond the classroom --Hindustani classical music, Kathak dance, Taekwondo, speech and drama activities, language learning, leadership initiatives, and student organisations.
THE CAREER FAIR THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Despite all of these interests, studying abroad never felt like a realistic plan. Ireland, in particular, was never something I had previously envisioned as part of my journey.
Everything changed unexpectedly in 2024 when I attended a career fair in Mumbai after my father had signed me up almost by chance. Initially, I had gone there quite casually, not really thinking much about studying abroad and expecting only general conversations about international education.
It was only when I spoke to my career counsellor and guide during the session that the idea of going abroad -- particularly Ireland -- genuinely came into focus, especially in relation to veterinary care, agriculture, and life sciences opportunities.
That was the first moment I genuinely paused and wondered whether there might be opportunities beyond the path I had originally imagined for myself.
The more I researched Ireland, the more the country started making sense professionally and personally. Unlike destinations that felt intimidatingly large or impersonal, Ireland seemed welcoming and closely connected to industries relevant to my field.
I was especially drawn towards the strong veterinary care and agriculture ecosystem, as well as the growing opportunities in veterinary sciences, veterinary technology, and life sciences.
During my research, I discovered Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). What stood out was its practical, industry-focused approach. Rather than focusing solely on examinations, the university appeared committed to employability, professional development and preparing students for rapidly changing industries.
WHY TUS FELT DIFFERENT
What appealed to me most about TUS was that it recognised an important reality: students today are preparing for industries that are constantly changing.
Artificial Intelligence, automation, and technological shifts are transforming healthcare and life sciences rapidly. I wanted to study somewhere that acknowledged those changes rather than ignoring them. At TUS, there was a visible emphasis on adaptability, critical thinking, practical understanding, problem-solving, and industry exposure rather than classroom learning.
That approach mattered enormously to me because I wanted my education to prepare me not only for my first job, but for a long-term career in a changing global environment.
I also appreciated how practical the learning environment felt. My days at TUS involve lectures, laboratory sessions, assignments, presentations, research discussions, and collaborative projects, but academics never feel disconnected from real-world application. There is a strong emphasis on communication, teamwork, and understanding how industries actually function.
That practical exposure gave me confidence that I was preparing for more than just examinations.
LEARNING HOW TO START OVER IN IRELAND
Moving to Athlone was exciting, but it was also emotionally overwhelming in ways I had not anticipated.
People often romanticise studying abroad, but very few talk honestly about how strange it feels initially to rebuild your life in an unfamiliar country.
I still remember arriving in Ireland, caught between excitement and nerves, stepping out of the constant buzz I had always known into a stillness that felt almost unreal. Coming from Mumbai's ceaseless rhythm of movement, Athlone's quiet was an enormous contrast, but one that became a deeply striking and unforgettable experience.
During my first few weeks, even ordinary tasks felt unfamiliar, like grocery shopping, understanding Irish accents, adjusting to unpredictable weather, and learning how to manage everyday responsibilities independently.
There were moments when homesickness arrived unexpectedly. Sometimes it happened during late-night calls home after long days at university. Sometimes it was triggered by something as simple as craving home-cooked food or hearing Hindi conversations in public spaces.
But over time, Ireland slowly stopped feeling foreign.
I began adapting slowly, embracing a gentler pace of life. I carried Mumbai's energy and drive with me, while learning to appreciate the stillness and openness around me, finding a quieter kind of balance in between. Not comparing, but adapting.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
One of the most transformative parts of my experience at TUS has been everything that happened outside academics.
Leadership has always been an important part of my identity. Before moving to Ireland, I served as President of the Interact Club of Holy Angels School, worked as a Student Representative Advisor for NIE newspaper initiatives, and later became President and Editor within the Rotaract Club of Dombivli Downtown.
But studying abroad challenged me to grow in entirely new ways, trying something different at every step of my university life.
At TUS, I became actively involved in student communities and international initiatives. Over time, I took on roles including Secretary of the Asian Society, Vice President of ESN TUS Midlands Global, Student Councillor, and Global Ambassador. I also had the opportunity to write a blog for TUS and participate in several RUN-EU programmes.
Recently, I was elected as the ESN Ireland HR Manager for 2026–27, which still feels surreal when I think about how uncertain I felt during my first few weeks in Ireland.
These experiences transformed me far beyond academics. They taught me how to communicate confidently across cultures, organise initiatives independently, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and build meaningful relationships with people from completely different backgrounds.
THE REALITY OF STUDENT LIFE ABROAD
Behind every photograph of studying overseas is a student carefully managing budgets, balancing deadlines, planning future career goals, and trying to navigate adulthood independently.
Ireland definitely requires financial planning, especially for international students. Accommodation, groceries, and daily expenses require discipline and budgeting. But those responsibilities also become part of your growth.
You learn how to manage time, cook your own meals, prioritise budgeting, and handle challenges independently.
Over time, those everyday responsibilities stop feeling stressful and start becoming empowering because you realise how much more capable and independent you have become.
The greenery, peaceful environment, cultural openness, and healthier pace of living make the student experience feel enriching beyond academics alone.
MORE THAN JUST A DEGREE
Throughout all of this, one thing has remained constant: my passion for veterinary science, medicine, and animal welfare. One of the most meaningful learning experiences for me was completing the Animal Behavior and Welfare certification authorised by The University of Edinburgh.
Opportunities like that strengthened my interest in understanding animal psychology and welfare systems more deeply and reinforced why I chose this field in the first place.
When I look back now, it is difficult to believe how much my life changed because of one career fair in Mumbai. At the time, I thought I was simply exploring educational opportunities. I did not realise I was stepping into an experience that would completely reshape my confidence, independence, ambitions, and understanding of myself.
Today, when I walk through campus at TUS, participate in student leadership activities, interact with international students, or think about building a future within healthcare and animal welfare, I realise this journey became much bigger than earning a degree.
It became a process of discovering a completely new version of myself.
Between Irish winters, laboratory sessions, leadership responsibilities and late-night calls home, I held on to the values I brought from Mumbai while growing into someone I had never expected to become. Slowly, I watched Ireland become a place I could call home.
If someone had told me a few years ago that I would eventually move to Ireland to study veterinary science-related subjects, take on leadership roles in an international student community, and begin building a life thousands of kilometres away from Mumbai, I probably would not have believed them.
Like many students growing up in India, I had imagined my future unfolding within familiar surroundings close to family, within the fast-moving rhythm of Mumbai, and inside a system I had understood all my life.
Growing up in Mumbai meant growing up in a city driven by ambition, resilience, and constant movement. Often called the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai has a unique way of shaping the people who live in it.
Beyond its crowded trains and fast-paced lifestyle, the city taught me adaptability, persistence, discipline, and the confidence to keep moving forward even during difficult moments. At the same time, its cultural richness and diversity instilled in me empathy, openness, and a deep connection to my roots.
Science has always been at the centre of my interests. I pursued Biology in Class 12 and later started my Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science because I was deeply fascinated by research, medicine, animal welfare, and understanding how living systems function. Over time, that curiosity became even more specific. I developed a strong interest in animal psycho-neurology, behaviour, and healthcare systems.
Even outside academics, I naturally gravitated towards activities that involved discipline, creativity, and communication. My life was always packed with things beyond the classroom --Hindustani classical music, Kathak dance, Taekwondo, speech and drama activities, language learning, leadership initiatives, and student organisations.
THE CAREER FAIR THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Despite all of these interests, studying abroad never felt like a realistic plan. Ireland, in particular, was never something I had previously envisioned as part of my journey.
Everything changed unexpectedly in 2024 when I attended a career fair in Mumbai after my father had signed me up almost by chance. Initially, I had gone there quite casually, not really thinking much about studying abroad and expecting only general conversations about international education.
It was only when I spoke to my career counsellor and guide during the session that the idea of going abroad -- particularly Ireland -- genuinely came into focus, especially in relation to veterinary care, agriculture, and life sciences opportunities.
That was the first moment I genuinely paused and wondered whether there might be opportunities beyond the path I had originally imagined for myself.
The more I researched Ireland, the more the country started making sense professionally and personally. Unlike destinations that felt intimidatingly large or impersonal, Ireland seemed welcoming and closely connected to industries relevant to my field.
I was especially drawn towards the strong veterinary care and agriculture ecosystem, as well as the growing opportunities in veterinary sciences, veterinary technology, and life sciences.
During my research, I discovered Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). What stood out was its practical, industry-focused approach. Rather than focusing solely on examinations, the university appeared committed to employability, professional development and preparing students for rapidly changing industries.
WHY TUS FELT DIFFERENT
What appealed to me most about TUS was that it recognised an important reality: students today are preparing for industries that are constantly changing.
Artificial Intelligence, automation, and technological shifts are transforming healthcare and life sciences rapidly. I wanted to study somewhere that acknowledged those changes rather than ignoring them. At TUS, there was a visible emphasis on adaptability, critical thinking, practical understanding, problem-solving, and industry exposure rather than classroom learning.
That approach mattered enormously to me because I wanted my education to prepare me not only for my first job, but for a long-term career in a changing global environment.
I also appreciated how practical the learning environment felt. My days at TUS involve lectures, laboratory sessions, assignments, presentations, research discussions, and collaborative projects, but academics never feel disconnected from real-world application. There is a strong emphasis on communication, teamwork, and understanding how industries actually function.
That practical exposure gave me confidence that I was preparing for more than just examinations.
LEARNING HOW TO START OVER IN IRELAND
Moving to Athlone was exciting, but it was also emotionally overwhelming in ways I had not anticipated.
People often romanticise studying abroad, but very few talk honestly about how strange it feels initially to rebuild your life in an unfamiliar country.
I still remember arriving in Ireland, caught between excitement and nerves, stepping out of the constant buzz I had always known into a stillness that felt almost unreal. Coming from Mumbai's ceaseless rhythm of movement, Athlone's quiet was an enormous contrast, but one that became a deeply striking and unforgettable experience.
During my first few weeks, even ordinary tasks felt unfamiliar, like grocery shopping, understanding Irish accents, adjusting to unpredictable weather, and learning how to manage everyday responsibilities independently.
There were moments when homesickness arrived unexpectedly. Sometimes it happened during late-night calls home after long days at university. Sometimes it was triggered by something as simple as craving home-cooked food or hearing Hindi conversations in public spaces.
But over time, Ireland slowly stopped feeling foreign.
I began adapting slowly, embracing a gentler pace of life. I carried Mumbai's energy and drive with me, while learning to appreciate the stillness and openness around me, finding a quieter kind of balance in between. Not comparing, but adapting.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
One of the most transformative parts of my experience at TUS has been everything that happened outside academics.
Leadership has always been an important part of my identity. Before moving to Ireland, I served as President of the Interact Club of Holy Angels School, worked as a Student Representative Advisor for NIE newspaper initiatives, and later became President and Editor within the Rotaract Club of Dombivli Downtown.
But studying abroad challenged me to grow in entirely new ways, trying something different at every step of my university life.
At TUS, I became actively involved in student communities and international initiatives. Over time, I took on roles including Secretary of the Asian Society, Vice President of ESN TUS Midlands Global, Student Councillor, and Global Ambassador. I also had the opportunity to write a blog for TUS and participate in several RUN-EU programmes.
Recently, I was elected as the ESN Ireland HR Manager for 2026–27, which still feels surreal when I think about how uncertain I felt during my first few weeks in Ireland.
These experiences transformed me far beyond academics. They taught me how to communicate confidently across cultures, organise initiatives independently, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and build meaningful relationships with people from completely different backgrounds.
THE REALITY OF STUDENT LIFE ABROAD
Behind every photograph of studying overseas is a student carefully managing budgets, balancing deadlines, planning future career goals, and trying to navigate adulthood independently.
Ireland definitely requires financial planning, especially for international students. Accommodation, groceries, and daily expenses require discipline and budgeting. But those responsibilities also become part of your growth.
You learn how to manage time, cook your own meals, prioritise budgeting, and handle challenges independently.
Over time, those everyday responsibilities stop feeling stressful and start becoming empowering because you realise how much more capable and independent you have become.
The greenery, peaceful environment, cultural openness, and healthier pace of living make the student experience feel enriching beyond academics alone.
MORE THAN JUST A DEGREE
Throughout all of this, one thing has remained constant: my passion for veterinary science, medicine, and animal welfare. One of the most meaningful learning experiences for me was completing the Animal Behavior and Welfare certification authorised by The University of Edinburgh.
Opportunities like that strengthened my interest in understanding animal psychology and welfare systems more deeply and reinforced why I chose this field in the first place.
When I look back now, it is difficult to believe how much my life changed because of one career fair in Mumbai. At the time, I thought I was simply exploring educational opportunities. I did not realise I was stepping into an experience that would completely reshape my confidence, independence, ambitions, and understanding of myself.
Today, when I walk through campus at TUS, participate in student leadership activities, interact with international students, or think about building a future within healthcare and animal welfare, I realise this journey became much bigger than earning a degree.
It became a process of discovering a completely new version of myself.
Between Irish winters, laboratory sessions, leadership responsibilities and late-night calls home, I held on to the values I brought from Mumbai while growing into someone I had never expected to become. Slowly, I watched Ireland become a place I could call home.
