Three Voices, One Global MIC: Meet Our New MIC International Student Ambassadors

Blanche Rocher, France

Hi everyone! I’m Blanche, a 19-year-old international student from Lille, France, a city best known for its French fries and beer, but also for having some of the friendliest people in France (clearly good training for Ireland).

I’m currently studying at MIC for the spring semester as part of the Erasmus programme. I hope to become a reporter in the future, which is one of the main reasons I decided to go on Erasmus in the first place: to improve my English and immerse myself in a new culture. Even though Ireland shares some similarities with France and other European countries, it also has something truly unique that I’m very curious about: Irish Gaelic. 

Travelling has always been a dream of mine, so when I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus programme, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I was especially excited when I found out I was going to Ireland. Whenever I mentioned my destination, people all reacted the same way: “Irish people are so nice, you’re going to have so much fun!” And, of course, they never failed to remind me that trying Guinness was basically a legal obligation. I’ll keep you posted on that one.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved taking pictures and filming everything, just to make sure no memory ever gets lost. I can’t wait to share my experiences as a French student abroad with you. My goal is to convince you to go on Erasmus or at least to travel, whether alone or with friends or family because I truly believe that travelling broadens your mind and helps you see the world differently. I’ve always been a shy person, but travelling is my way of stepping out of my comfort zone. 

So now, I can’t wait to study, have fun, and discover everything Limerick has to offer.

Duaa Ahmed, Palestine

My name is Duaa Ahmed, and I am from Gaza, Palestine.

Before coming to Ireland, I worked for seven years as an elementary English language teacher with UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Teaching in Gaza was the most meaningful experience of my life. I truly believe that when you help heal, empower, and plant hope in the hearts of young people, you are doing noble work. I am deeply proud of the role I played in supporting my students, helping them build self-confidence, develop communication skills, and believe in their own potential so they could feel stronger and more hopeful about life.

In October 2023, the war in Gaza changed my life forever. I lost many beloved people, family members, friends, students, and the memories of a life I once knew. Amid this loss, I made a conscious decision to take responsibility for my future and not give up. I applied for a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in education at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, a decision that proved to be truly transformative.

Today, I live in peace, surrounded by kindness and support. I have made new friends in Ireland and continue to build genuine connections with people who truly care. This experience has taught me that solidarity, compassion, and humanity cross borders. 

I am proud to be part of Mary Immaculate College, proud to live in Limerick, and deeply grateful to Ireland for giving me the space to heal, grow, and continue believing in the power of education to change lives, including my own.

Thank you, MIC. Thank you, Limerick. Thank you, Ireland.

Barbara (Barbi) Beck, Hungary

Ever wondered what it's like to move abroad and start your life anew? Me too. Taken with a pinch of salt, Erasmus gives you the opportunity to gain this experience, and as a fellow Erasmus student (who’s also part of the International Student Ambassador team) I'll be happy to share my journey and my ups and downs during the span of the 2026 spring semester. 

My name is Barbara (Barbi for further blog posts), and I come from Budapest, Hungary where I study finance and accounting. At MIC I'll be taking a medley of different courses ranging from marketing to psychology- a step towards brightening my horizon on multiple fields of studies. 

As for my personal interests, I am especially keen on cooking and baking, self-care and traveling, all of which I hope to include in my following posts. 

As I mentioned before, an Erasmus program is sort of like starting your life from scratch, meaning that you'll experience a plethora of new things: full independence, language skills, confidence in your abilities, etc. This might be different for everyone, but for me personally these are the areas I'd like to improve on the most, and hopefully this program will grant me the ability to do so. 

Building Our Global Community

We’re delighted to be working with our new International Student Ambassadors this semester and are already inspired by their energy, creativity, and commitment. Their perspectives and voices help make MIC a more welcoming, connected, and vibrant place for students from around the world. We hope you enjoy getting to know them through this post - and be sure to keep an eye out for their stories, insights, and activities throughout the semester ahead!