Lorraine McKenna’s story is a testament to the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” She had always dreamt of becoming a veterinarian but due to poor Leaving Cert results, was unable to attend the University College Dublin in Ireland. After years of working in retail management, McKenna’s dream was rekindled while working on a farm in Australia. Upon returning home, she did extensive research on studying veterinary science abroad and found that Warsaw, Poland would be a great fit for her.
Not only did she qualify for the 5½-year degree course with her original exam results, but the cost of living in Warsaw was also much cheaper than back home. McKenna now counts herself lucky to have been able to pursue this opportunity and is in her final year of studies.
She is not alone in her decision to study abroad. The number of Irish students opting for this route is on the rise, driven by factors such as high accommodation and living costs, as well as lower entry requirements for highly competitive courses like medicine and veterinary science. The reduced emphasis on exam grades and cheaper tuition fees are also attractive features of studying abroad.
Founder of Eunicas, Guy Flouch, notes that more than 3,000 people from Ireland are currently studying in universities and colleges across Europe, with many opting for a wider range of subjects beyond medicine and veterinary science. While some European universities may require an interview or entrance exam, the minimum requirement is typically six passes in the Leaving Cert. Despite less stringent entry requirements, studying abroad is not an easy ride, with research universities being particularly challenging.
However, the positives far outweigh the negatives, with the opportunity to develop personal and employability skills, experience different cultures, and travel to new places. McKenna praises the opportunity to meet people from different countries and learn new languages, making lifelong friendships and gaining an impressive addition to her CV. Overall, studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity that more and more Irish students are choosing to pursue.
