Studying in Ireland: Manish’s journey to new heights

Studying abroad can be a daunting experience, especially if you decide to leave a comfortable, well-paying job to pursue your studies. It is a delight to hear from ambitious individuals who have tackled challenges and achieved their dreams. We spoke to Manish Sharma about the driving force behind the decisions he made, his experiences studying in Ireland, and his outlook on life. Manish was born and brought up in the city of Faridabad, Haryana and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs at South East Technological University in Ireland. 

 

Q: What motivated you to pursue your studies abroad?

The Indian education system focuses more on the theoretical aspects and expects students to be thorough with them. But when it comes to gaining practical knowledge, the education given by universities abroad seems to have the upper hand. You get to study in a diverse atmosphere, adding to the experience. Also, overseas degrees are highly valued in India. So, I wanted to pursue my master’s degree abroad.

 

Q: How did you decide on the course, university, and country to pursue your studies?

It was the result of extensive research—in fact, I was researching opportunities abroad for more than six years. My cousin’s advice also influenced my decision.

 

I completed my bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutics and worked in the Sales and Marketing team of a pharmaceutical company for a few years. However, during the pandemic years, I realised that the pharmaceutical industry in India lacked some skills, particularly in regulatory affairs. So, I decided to abandon the plan I had for an MBA and dive deep into the pharmaceutical sector. 

 

I figured out that most companies involved in pharmaceutical research are either based in Europe or the USA. I also realised that Ireland is emerging as a major destination for opportunities in the pharmaceutical and IT sectors. Several top pharmaceutical companies have their headquarters in Ireland. Ireland offers master's degrees that can be completed in a year and offers post-study work permits for two years. So I finally decided to apply for a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs at SETU.

Q: How did your friends and family react when you told them about your decision to study abroad?

My family has always been supportive of my decisions. I’m an only child and my mother has single-handedly raised me. So, it was a tough decision. But she supported the choices I made. Along with my mother, my extended family has always supported me financially and emotionally.

The people I worked for were surprised to learn about my decision. Their reaction was understandable, as I was a star performer in the company and earned well too. However, I wanted to improve my skills and enhance my knowledge. 

I have a cousin who lives in Ireland, and his guidance was quite crucial. He advised me that, instead of following the majority and pursuing an MBA, it would make sense to study a course that would enhance my proficiency in my field of pharmaceutics. Overall, people were supportive and understanding.

 

Q: What was the easy part of planning your studies abroad, and what was the difficult part?

Coordinating with the university and my agency was the easy part. 

I received the offer letter from my university in February. But since I didn’t pursue it back then, the offer expired. I contacted the university again in July to check the availability of places.

Luckily, two places were available, and I had to make the initial payment and confirm my spot in the following five days. It was stressful, but my counselling agency did an incredible job getting everything ready in a short time. SETU, and especially their Student Counsellor were very helpful throughout the process. The university organises meetings every 15-20 days for international students. These meetings were a tremendous help in getting my doubts cleared and my concerns addressed.

The toughest part was getting the visa! I got my visa on 1st September 2023, and I was in Ireland by 10th September. 

 

Q: What has life been like since you arrived in Ireland? What was the weather like when you landed?

Ireland is always very windy. Around September and October, the temperature hovered around 20 degrees Celsius, but the wind made it feel significantly colder. We get rain often too and it is quite different from the rains I experienced in India. At times, it rains for days on end, even though it is not very heavy. 

The people in Ireland are very welcoming. I have visited other countries as well, but I find the people in Ireland to be especially helpful and friendly, always greeting you with smiles. That has made me feel at home in Ireland.  

 

Q: What is your academic life like?

I have been making the best use of my time at the university. The SETU campus is vast and well-structured. Activities on campus are well-planned. The crowd here is diverse, and the teachers are well-qualified and helpful. They are frank with students, allowing us to feel at ease when talking to our professors and building a good rapport with them. My classes run for only three hours per day. That gives me ample time to work on my assignments and take part in extracurricular activities. SETU boasts a huge library, and the university places importance on sports and other extracurricular activities as well. 

Explore the South East Technological University in Ireland!

 

Q: Speaking about recreational activities – what are the opportunities available at your university?

Sports, yoga, gym, dance, music—you name it, and the option is available. The best part is that membership is available at very nominal rates. I am part of the cricket team here, which allowed me to travel to different cities for the tournaments. They celebrate every festival possible. We recently celebrated Diwali and the Chinese New Year. 

Most of the international students coming here are concerned only about their academic performance. But I would say that socialising and engaging in these activities are also important, and only then will the experience of studying abroad be complete.

 

Q: What additional support is offered to international students?

The university is readily available to support international students with any and every challenge that they may face. They can reach out to the International Office for support related to immigration, work, accommodation, and study at SETU. Moreover, specific student communities are available for students to join based on their interests. 

 

Q: Did you get to experience the Irish culture? Were you able to mingle with the Irish people and do some sightseeing?

Yes, indeed! I love to explore places. I have been to Belfast, Galway, Cork, Dublin, and several other places. I have been pursuing sports activities, I go to restaurants and clubs, and I am practising salsa and bachata too. I make use of every opportunity to mingle with people. The people here make you feel very at home.

 

Q: How did you find your accommodation?

I was quite active on a Facebook group where they posted about accommodation options. The university also has tie-ups with some owners offering accommodation options. My cousin too, helped me in my hunt for good places to stay. I visited a few of these places before finalising one.

 

Q: What are the transportation facilities in Ireland like?

The nearest bus stop is only two minutes away from my house. But I don’t take the bus. My house owner provided me with a bicycle, even though the college is only a 15-minute walk away. The train station is a 5-minute walk away, and the central shopping area is also within a five to 10-minute walk. I use a bicycle, and I have a provisional driving licence too, so travel is not much of a problem.

 

Q: Do you miss Indian food?

Not much, as I cook my own food. Vegetarians don’t have many options here. Hence, I cook all my food and rarely eat out. Anyway, groceries are easily available, and the prices are reasonable.

 

Q: How manageable is the cost of living in Ireland?

If you have a part-time job, it is not very difficult to manage here.

 

Q: Do you struggle with homesickness?

Yes, particularly regarding food. I miss the taste of home-cooked food and the familiar atmosphere in which I grew up in India. I also miss experiencing distinct seasons at particular times of the year.

 

Q: What are your plans and ambitions?

I have a two-year post-study work visa. The best part about my degree is that it is a European-accredited degree, so it is valued across Europe. It gives me a chance to explore opportunities in other European countries too. The pharmaceutical and IT sectors are some of the fastest-growing sectors here. The demand for skilled workers is also high. I am sure my past work experience will also add great value to my resume. 

 

Q: If an Indian student is coming to Ireland, what would you tell them?

Do thorough research, no matter which destination you choose. Be clear on what matters to you, and what aligns with your goals and ambitions before deciding. Attend seminars and admission days organised by agencies including IDP. Use it as an opportunity to speak to the university representatives and counsellors and gather insights. No matter what advice people give, the final decision should be based on your research. 

 

Q: How did studying abroad change your perspectives about yourself and the world around you?

Ireland is a great country to study in, and it is a land of opportunities. It is also a great place to experiment. People are supportive, provided you are dedicated and genuinely interested in whatever you pursue. There are U.S. and European organizations in Ireland. If you build your experience here, opportunities open for you in the whole world. You don’t need to be a top performer in class. Even students of average and below-average performance from India have completed their education in foreign institutions and achieved success. So, keep working towards your goals diligently.

 

Hopefully, our chat with Manish has helped you learn about the experience of studying abroad and the dedication required to reach your goals. Are you interested in studying in Ireland? Explore more about this dynamic destination.