Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

What is PhD Pals?  

PhD Pals is a UL Global pilot programme that offers the opportunity for new international PhD students to connect with a mentor on campus at UL. Mentors are PhD candidates in year 2,3, or 4, and have been through at least one progression. PhD Pals is an initiative built on connection and helping others adjust to the UL campus and life as a PhD student. PhD Pals mentors are not academic supervisors or orientation guides, but someone you can talk to, ask questions, meet up with, attend UL Global events with and learn from throughout the programme. 

How did the PhD Pals initiative come about? 

PhD Pals came around based on a true need that was seen among the PhD Community at UL. Yvonne Crosse (International Student Engagement Manager, UL Global) and Suzi Breslin (Student Engagement Officer, UL Global) were the pioneers of this initiative and saw that there was a need for a programme for PhD students that focused on wellbeing, belonging and connection, rather than academics.  This is the first programme of its kind in the Republic of Ireland and meets the needs of individuals, often arriving in Limerick for their PhD with no social network to lean on.  A PhD programme can often be a long, lonely road, and this pilot aims to create a network of PhD candidates at UL who can support each other to navigate the local culture and campus together. 

The Goal of PhD Pals?  

The goals of the PhD Pal initiative are to build a network of other PhD students and make meaningful connections. By having these connections with other students, regardless of the academic PhD focus, students can make meaningful connections with individuals who are at the same phase of academic life, experiencing the ups and downs of a PhD.  

The goal for mentors is to gain volunteer experience through working with their mentee. Mentors are also able to gain skills and experience in mentoring, leadership, and communication.  

For more information and to get involved:  

If you want to get involved, feel free to email PhDPals@ul.ie. We accept mentees on a rolling basis and accept mentors into the programme once a semester, but you can email us at any time with questions and to be put on our