Familiar Faces and New Beginnings: Permanently Transferring from College In the United States to UL

Read this article by ambassador Isabella Gandolfo, who previously did her Study Abroad experience at UL from her home university in New York. She found she was so well suited to life at UL that she decided to move and pursue a full degree with us!

UL Global

January 3, 2025

2–3 minutes

Upon returning home to the United States following my semester-long study
abroad programme at UL, I was faced with a litany of new possibilities. Originally, my plan for university included four years of studying at a small college in New York, followed by law school near my home town in New Jersey– preferably on the East Coast.

skyline of New York City — Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com

The summer of 2024 seemed ripe with possibilities, and Ireland lay firmly in the past. However, as I began to embark on a summer internship in New York City, I reflected profoundly on my time at UL; for a brief four months I was able to experience the inviting campus atmosphere, engage in unique educational experiences, and bond with an incredible new group of international friends. I was a rising second year at my original
university in New York, set to return next fall. The longing to return to UL became progressively prominent until I could no longer resist the calling to embark on a full degree programme in Social Sciences at UL.

A woman at an airport — Photo by Oleksandr P on Pexels.com

Two months later, I found myself on a United Airlines flight out of Newark
Airport, headed to Shannon. The decision to transfer from my home institution to UL permanently was complex, yet effortless. The Office of Admissions created an accessible platform on which I could cultivate a successful application that accounted for my status as a transfer student. Furthermore, I was immediately welcomed back into the UL Global community– continuing my role as a Global Ambassador for the 2024-25 academic term. I attribute my success with acclimating back into the UL lifestyle– as a transfer student– to the fruitful network of full-degree international students. Ultimately, the connections drew me back to UL after a brief four months of study abroad experience.

6/11/2007 New pedestrian bridge UL. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

My decision to transfer back to UL after completing a semester abroad was also influenced by location. I believe that UL takes advantage of its relatively central geographic position. Through UL events geared towards national exploration, such as the bus trips to Galway, Cork, and Dingle, I have been able to access a large portion of the country. Domestic travel has left me feeling closer to Ireland since returning permanently for a full degree. There is immense fulfillment in finding my way back to UL.