“I know it’s going to be a challenge as I’ll have to find a law firm in Ireland who will sponsor me!” Edward on life at UL and work opportunities

Fact File

Name: Edward

From: Nigeria

Current university: University of Limerick

Studying: Master’s in Law

Societies: Kayaking Club and Law Society

Fun fact: Edward always wondered why Irish people in his country dressed up in green one day in March… Now he can’t wait to celebrate St Patrick’s Day!

Advice to applicants: You have to choose a course you’re passionate about. The higher up you go in education, the more complex it becomes. Therefore, you need something that you’re willing to focus on.

Edward on…

Avoiding the ‘easy’ option in favour of following his passion

Can you tell me about your education journey?

I studied for an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) in Nigeria and finished in 2018. After practicing for a year, I decided I needed to pursue a Master’s. I was interested in getting a license in Ireland for back home.

Was Ireland an obvious choice for you?

Well, I chose Ireland because I wanted a place where I could learn in English and avoid any language barriers. It would have been easier for me to go to England because most of my friends are there. Ireland is also a smaller country and so naturally has a smaller African community. Despite this, I chose the University of Limerick because it’s great for Law - and I love it here!

What are your thoughts on finding a job after graduation?

I know it’s going to be a challenge. Most people from overseas have to find a law firm in Ireland who will sponsor them, which means you then have to stay there for around two years. That’s complex because my visa would expire before the two years come to an end. I think I’ll have to look for a job – not necessarily in the legal domain – whilst I figure out which exams I need to take. The biggest employment sectors here for both locals and internationals seem to be IT, engineering and finance.

The use of technology in a modern learning environment

What has been the biggest adjustment you’ve seen in your learning?

It’s a completely new structure for me here in Limerick. I’ve found that software and IT are used much more in the study environment; technology is at the heart of education. Where I come from, we work with textbooks and paper, whereas everything you need for the classroom here is stored on a computer. I’m still adapting to it, but I find it easier overall.

Does this give you more flexibility when learning?

Absolutely. For example, I feel less stressed if I miss something in class because all I need to do is log onto the portal and everything I need is there. That’s a big improvement on where I come from. What’s more, it means I can study from the comfort of my bedroom during these colder months.

Learning about Ireland’s culture

What do you enjoy most about life in your new town?

Not the weather! Sometimes it’s confusing! I would say the culture is v lively. V good. Though it’s small, it’s v beautiful. Not been able to travel lots but Limerick is small so I should get out there. Keeping my fingers crossed. I arrived 1st September.

Are there any surprising similarities between your home country/city and Ireland? (Eg: Saint Patrick!)

Similarities: culturally. Ireland is a place of religion. That’s why I’m writing my thesis on abortion because Ireland and Nigeria have similar opinions on abortion and morality. I knew the church I wanted to attend before coming to the country. Strongly religious.

The CampusConnect app

How did the CampusConnect app help you before coming to Limerick?

I got a lot of help from the platform myself when I first got my offer. I remember seeing the code in the information provided by the university and thinking “wow, that’s going to be really helpful.” And it was! I found out about accommodation, courses and life in Limerick.