Meet our new MIC International Student Ambassadors

Phương Linh Đồng

My name is Linh Dong, but you can also call me Anne. I come from Vietnam, a beautiful country in Asia famous for its diverse cuisine. Food is something very close to my heart, and I truly believe it has the power to connect people. That’s why I am eager to introduce you to Vietnamese cuisine and to organise food workshops within the International Student Society where we can share our traditional dishes, stories, and cultural experiences with one another.

I am an English teacher, and this year I am beginning my journey in the MEd in Digital Leadership in Education at MIC. Studying in Ireland has long been a dream of mine, not only because of the academic opportunities, but also because of the chance to explore the country’s breathtaking scenery. The Cliffs of Moher, which once appeared in Harry Potter, Ireland’s many castles, and the charm of Limerick itself are all places I am excited to discover.

When I applied to MIC, I wrote that I want to promote Ireland’s image among my students and friends back in Vietnam, while also sharing the beauty of Vietnam with all of you here. I truly believe that Ireland is a “must-visit” country, just as Vietnam is, and I hope that through my stories and experiences, you will come to see both countries in a new light.

As an International Student Ambassador, I am looking forward not only to guiding you through the wonders of Ireland, but also to creating meaningful experiences together. Hope to meet you all!

Amara Yatassaye

Hello, my name is Amara Yatassaye and I come from Dijon, a historic city in eastern France. You may be familiar with my hometown: Dijon is one of the most famous cities for its Burgundy wine, mustard and magnificent medieval architecture. I have lived there since I was 10 years old.
I study political science and humanities at the Catholic University Centre of Burgundy (CUCDB).
I like to keep busy and always have something to do, so I never get bored. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading books on geopolitics and international relations, and organising or managing events.
In the future, I would like to do a master's degree in international relations. The main reason I joined the MIC is that I want to improve my English and maybe even start learning Gaelic. I am also looking forward to discovering the Irish landscape and culture, as Ireland is a beautiful country, and of course, meeting new people from all over the world.
Being an international ambassador is an opportunity for me to connect with people from all over and help them enjoy their time at MIC.

Nadia Durakovic

My name is Nadia Durakovic, and I am an Erasmus student from Germany. Back at my home university in Stuttgart, I am pursuing my bachelor’s degree in English and sociology. This autumn, I am looking forward to continuing the English part of my studies here in Limerick.

I am thrilled to get to know Ireland and its culture, history, and stunning landscape! I hope to meet some wonderful new people, and to get to know and represent the international community here at Mary. I am also excited to gain new academic perspectives, and to learn how you study in Ireland. Deciding to take the leap and study abroad has been exhilarating and scary at the same time. That is why I look forward to sharing my adventures with you on this blog and on social media, and to maybe help some of you feel less alone in this new experience.  

Gaël Tournier

Hello ! My name is Gaël (you can pronounce it Gale), I’m from France and I’ll be spending one whole year in Ireland ! I’m studying English, and more precisely Literature, History and cultures of English-speaking countries. Back in France, I studied British and US history/literature, so here I am to study Irish history and literature!

There’re a lot of things I can tell you about me, but if I had to choose, I’d say I’m passionate about history, I love the 1801 – 1815 period in France. I also love informatics and development, I am an active developer and managing my own group of 11 developers/graphic designers ! As I know a lot of people want to know about music taste, I play the bass (I’m a beginner) and I’m a huge fan of Arctic monkeys, TV Girl and Lana Del Rey, even if I listen to a lot of things and genre (rock, etc.)

Why did I choose Ireland for my mobility? It might seem crazy what I’m about to say, but I do not like beer ! I love the Irish accent and the architecture just won me over, during the bus trip to Limerick, I was so excited about every sheep that I saw outside, and every castle was just amazing me ! Limerick is such a beautiful city, I have so many buildings, churches, and shops to visit that I don’t think one year will be enough!

I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of people and making a lot of friends !