‘It was difficult to integrate at the start, but I soon found my feet’

FAEZEH FARANAHI came to Ireland from Iran to start a new life five years ago and after visiting the University College Dublin (UCD) campus to attend a friend’s graduation party, it became her dream to study there.

Faezeh’s father and brother both worked in banking so she had an interest in studying business. While she had done a pre-university course in Iran, she had to work out a route into higher education in Ireland

Her Irish education journey started at Rathmines College of Further Education where she studied for a Certificate in Business & IT Studies (5M2102) with English language.

This is a Level 5 qualification and, combining it with Leaving Certificate ordinary level maths, provided her with the key components to apply for the BComm at UCD through the CAO. Faezeh complemented her pre-university studies with an accounting technicians course and, after an interview at the UCD Quinn School of Business, she was offered a place as a mature student. She is now entering her third and final year of the BComm.

Faezeh (30) was overwhelmed by the positivity and good advice she received during her first few months in Ireland, which helped her to work out her path to her degree.

In order to get financial support for her education, she applied for a SUSI grant but needed to be resident here for three years. So, when Faezeh was accepted for the BComm in 2015 she was advised to seek financial support from the university until such time as she became eligible for SUSI.

Integrating in Ireland was difficult initially: she didn’t have the language and she had limited support when she started. But she met a wonderful friend, also a mature student, who was struggling a little with maths. Faezah was able to help her: in turn her friend helped Faezah overcome her language barrier.

Faezeh’s focus on understanding her course material was her first challenge, so getting involved in societies was not a priority for year one: perfecting her English was. Since then she is enjoying the university’s facilities and is a regular gym user.

Her UCD studies have broadened her horizons even further. As part of the course, she had an opportunity to do her Erasmus in Canada, in Queen’s University Ontario.

Her next goal is to find a job in Ireland, when she graduates next year. She would like to be employed in one of the big four accounting firms, but is happy to start in a smaller company and learn as she goes.