As the technological world evolves at an ever faster pace, the laws around it must follow. This dynamic combination makes for an exciting area to study, and there are few better places to do that than in the renowned tech hub of Ireland. Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence postgraduate Jorge Palomares is just one of many international students drawn to the country for its educational offering in the field, and he has not been disappointed. We spoke to him about how he got there, and the good times that followed.
As a speaker of five different languages, lawyer Jorge could have set his sights on any number of countries before deciding to study in Ireland. In fact, aged 17, he was accepted into three different universities in America. While this was a great start to his dreams of studying abroad, the cost of taking up their offers proved impossible to meet.
Instead, he chose to complete his undergraduate education at institutions in his home country of Brazil. This proved successful, as it led to well-paid work that has helped him finally pursue a degree in another country. Despite the strong start he had made post-graduation, his desire to expand his horizons was clearer than ever.
“I wasn't using my full potential,” Jorge reflects. “My city is in the middle of South America; right in the middle. [...] In my field, in technology mainly, I felt that I wouldn't have many opportunities, so going abroad would be the best option.”
With this decided, it was time to choose a destination. For Jorge, that involved repeatedly checking the courses available as part of the European Commission's Erasmus Mundus scheme. Under this programme, students from around the world can gain a joint master’s degree from universities in multiple countries, with scholarships covering tuition fees and some of their living costs. Eventually, one appeared that caught Jorge’s eye.
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) is a programme run by four European universities, including Jorge’s current host, Dublin City University (DCU). The two-year course offers students a thorough education in the legal and technical issues posed by digitisation, placing them at the forefront of transformative technologies like AI.
This involves classroom study with experts in the field, numerous networking opportunities, and work placements with prominent public and private organisations. Graduates leave not only with knowledge of subjects such as data protection, cybersecurity and AI law, but also an understanding of how they work in practice.
Successfully applying for the programme was an achievement that required a lot of determination and independent work. Happily, it was also the last point at which studying abroad felt like a solo pursuit. Jorge quickly bonded with the other four Brazilians in his cohort over the challenges of the application process, and with that out of the way, he was free to begin learning and explore a brand new part of the world.
“The landscapes here are really breathtaking,” he marvels. “The mix with the weather and those beautiful places makes it kind of magical to see. […] I love walking into pubs to see the decoration, the people, the types of beer and what they're having. It just reveals so much about the culture, which is fascinating. You're used to something, and then when you go abroad, you see people do everything differently; they think differently. […] It's a daily work to understand those tiny cultural differences.”
This work quickly presented Jorge with many stories that underline Ireland’s reputation as a warmly welcoming place. After mistaking a crypto company’s get-together for a public event, he was gladly invited to join. A lengthy conversation with a stranger endured despite mutual confusion over accents. Overall, he has been made to feel at home in the country, and especially so at his university.
This is true in a literal sense – Jorge lives on campus, “which facilitates my life 100 per cent” – as well as in how that has helped him settle into his new surroundings. With his accommodation situated at the front of Dublin’s popular Albert College Park, he is never far from the comings and goings of the city’s diverse population. This integration is his favourite thing about the location, and something that the university actively encourages.
DCU are especially keen on ensuring that students are well prepared for their next steps after graduation. The university’s careers service has greatly impressed Jorge, who finds it very different from what he experienced in Brazil.
“There are many companies that are actually stakeholders of the university, so throughout the year we might get a lecture or a visit, or even the job fairs. […] I always get emails saying that there are partners coming to give a lecture on campus, [and] indicating jobs that I can apply for. […] It's really helpful, and they also help you with the interviews, with your CV, with tips for the market itself. It's a very complete service. They really try not only to make you a good student, but also to apply that and be successful and have a job afterwards.”
For Jorge, job opportunities should be abundant and varied. Additional spells of international study in Spain and Italy before the end of his course will further strengthen the prospects offered by a master’s degree in a significant and expanding field. So far, it has helped develop his interest in the possibilities of blockchain technology and its application in digital identity systems, but with other elements of his studies extending from AI to GDPR and beyond, there are many possible roads ahead.
“Right now, I'm thinking of maybe becoming a data protection officer, or working as a consultant to companies that want to implement GDPR. […] In Spain, the focus of the course is going to be on cybersecurity, and in Italy, it's more involved with AI and Web3, crypto, NFTs, and blockchain. So it's really broad and I still cannot decide, but I like that I have all those options available.”
With all of these avenues open to him, Jorge’s future looks exciting and flexible – but there is one thing of which he feels sure. Whichever career path he follows, his current plan is to take advantage of Ireland’s two-year work visa for master’s degree graduates, and find a role in its vibrant tech sector. Following the great start he has made to life in the country at DCU, this looks like a very strong choice.
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