Before coming to Ireland, I was an International Volunteer for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. I was helping Colombians on their way to implement the peace agreement in Arauca. In this position, I experienced various challenges, such as different cultures, unknown public institutions, harsh weather conditions, and the constant challenge of an active armed conflict. I relied on my experience in community-based protection and my ability to build strong and reliable professional networks to be safe, to contribute to the reintegration of former FARC-EP partisans and to help rebuild the social network and trust that the war has destroyed. Most of my work was to build strong political and productive alliances with former FARC-EP members, public security forces, civilian third parties and non-military State agents, while guaranteeing the impartiality and neutrality of the UN Political Peace Mission.

I decided to study this programme because I wanted to broaden my knowledge in quantitative and qualitative economic research methods and evaluation methods of public development policies. The strong mathematical foundation, the econometrics modules and the impact evaluation electives prepared me to apply this theoretical research tools in any practical environment.

The Ireland Fellows Programme has allowed me to completely focus on my education objectives, and relieved me from any other preoccupation that would take time and energy from me. Thanks to this, I have been able to focus completely on my course work, readings and assignments. Furthermore, this support has helped me to truly connect and create friendships with people from different countries and understand how social and cultural norms shape different perspectives of thinking and approaching to development. Most importantly, it has allowed me to connect with people who have the same dream of making this world a better place.

So far, the MSc in Economics and International Development has taught me on how to leverage mathematical methods to solve political and sociological issues. This opportunity is an invaluable asset because it combines the knowledge and expertise of well-known lecturers and their ability to teach young professionals on how to implement “abstract” and theoretical knowledge in day-to-day decisions on complex humanitarian, economic, social, political and environmental dilemmas.

Before I came to Ireland, I did a lot of research about what to expect as it is a huge change moving to a new country. The information that ICOS sent was also very helpful to learn about Ireland. However, you can only really know how it is going to be once you arrive. The welcoming energy of Irish people, the community around Fellows and the huge number of new people that I met on the first days made the adaptation stage an enthusiastic and funny one. Life in Ireland is full of opportunities and for me the most difficult thing is to manage my time and prioritise between my studies and visiting beautiful places, practicing sports, attending cultural activities and discovering hidden places in Dublin.

For me, the three biggest differences between Ecuador and Ireland are the weather, the food and the cultural norms. In relation to the weather, it is so unpredictable that you must be ready to experience all the seasons at once every single day. It is surprising how in two months human bodies can adapt to live from places with 36 to 40 degrees to the autumn and winter in Dublin with 4 -14 degrees, so don’t be afraid of it, your body secretly knows how to adapt and will do it without you knowing it. The food is all in you, you have the genes and know the recipes, just bring the spices. I feel grateful to realise that all the adaptation stage is accompanied with the joy that Irish people make you feel in a Gaelic football match or in a pub.

During this fellowship my personal interest is to get the tools to be an active agent of change. I want to research and design efficient cash assistance programmes with randomised impact evaluations that focus on the effective localisation of beneficiaries in high-risk contexts. Moreover, I want to be skilled in facilitating and promoting safe debate environments where different perspectives and positions can be academically listened and challenged.

My favourite part of the fellowship has been to return to an academic environment and receive the support of other colleagues who share the same beliefs even though we have different backgrounds. Furthermore, the most enriching feeling is to be challenged by the unknown and different positions, experiences and beliefs of people from different origins. Being able to put in doubt and questions our own beliefs to achieve an evolution in science. Trinity College Dublin promotes safe spaces for academic debate, innovative ideas, methodological process, data collection techniques and objective results which allow student to focus on science, objectively critic scientific papers, develop your own ideas with plans to test them and grow together.

I would highly recommend the Ireland Fellows Programme to anyone from Ecuador. It is one of the best fellowships in the world, offering Fellows a high-quality educational environment with world-renowned lecturers. At the same time, you can share your valuable life experience, learn from inquisitive minds from different backgrounds, be amazed by the Irish landscape and experience the warmth of people from all the world and Irish culture.

My advice to any candidate is to prepare themselves and don’t be afraid. Spend as much time as needed to be clear about your goals, the reason behind your desire to study abroad. Why Ireland? Why a specific master? What do you want to do after the fellowship? Once you answer these questions, then build a mindset that will allow you to confront your fears. Don’t be afraid to dream big, start again, connect with new people, share your emotions and fulfil your needs. Be open to make the most of this experience and forget about exchange rates with your local currency.

P.S. If you want to take an MSc with strong mathematical background, or you have been out of school for a long time, check in advance all the topics and main books that you are going to review in class, so that you can identify if there is any gap and start getting used to it in advance.