03/09/2026
“I won't sugarcoat it, starting university is both exciting and terrifying, and that's completely normal.
When I arrived at UL, I knew nobody. I had been living in Singapore for over a decade, so although I was technically "coming home", everything felt unfamiliar.
I still remember how strange it felt walking onto campus for the first time, knowing that I didn't recognise a single face and getting completely lost in the main building, something I quickly realised was almost a rite of passage for every first-year.
I found myself having to navigate a new environment, introduce myself to new people, some of whom became my closest friends from day one and others whom I never saw again.
As cliché as it sounds, UL became a place where I couldn't imagine having spent my university years anywhere else.
I thought moving back to Ireland would have taken me a while to settle in, but somehow, it did not.
It's hard to put into words just how much support I received from everyone around me: lecturers, staff, coaches, and friends.
Whether I was competing internationally or studying abroad, UL gave me the flexibility to pursue these opportunities without compromising my Bachelor of Business Studies (Economics & Finance) degree.
I never felt like I had to choose between being an athlete and being a student; UL supported me in becoming both.
By the time I graduated, which came around in the blink of an eye, the university I had been so apprehensive about attending had become the best decision I had ever made.
From the unparalleled facilities and amazing staff to, most importantly, the friendships I built, I will always look back on my time at UL as some of the best four years of my life.
Knowing what I know now, I would choose UL every single time.”
- Jack Cassin, Bachelor of Business Studies graduate, UL Sports Scholar, and international swimmer.
