Back in August 2025, at the pre-departure meet-up, I remember standing there, nervous, excited, overflowing with dreams, and still unsure about stepping into a whole new country. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and then one single sentence from Ishita and Goulallien, TUS Global India Team, shifted everything. They mentioned that TUS organizes trips for students, and suddenly my serotonin skyrocketed, dopamine rushed, and my heart whispered, “Yes. This is it. This is where I belong.” In that moment, TUS became not just a university, but the dream university.
I still remember myself blurting out, “Wait… trips? Like real, proper trips?”
Ishita smiled and said, “Yes! And they’re some of the best parts of being here.”
Goulallien added with a playful grin, “You’ll see places you didn’t even know you needed in your life.”
And in that tiny exchange, something in me settled, like the universe whispering that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
With that feeling quietly settling in, my first ever university trip, and honestly, the first of my educational life, became even more special. It was to the place I had secretly dreamt about because of that one iconic scene from Harry Potter: the Cliffs of Moher. Walking along its windy trails, watching a reverse waterfall whip upward against gravity, I felt the surreal blend of nature and fantasy wrap around me. It taught me what it truly means to witness beauty and live in a moment I once only imagined.
Carrying that sense of wonder forward, the next adventure took us to Portumna for a treasure hunt. It began with chaos, trying to stick together as a team of four, matching each other’s pace, and putting our inner strategists to work.
At one point, while we were returning to the meeting point, we came across a sweet lady with the brightest smile.
“Would you like me to take a picture of you all?” she offered. We happily agreed, but before she could take the photo, her tiny, ridiculously excited puppy zig-zagged around her legs and somehow its leash ended up in my hand.
“Oh, wait, is this yours?” I asked, confused and holding the leash like I had suddenly adopted a child. (yes, dramatic humour intended!)
She laughed, “Yes, yes! He just likes choosing new humans at random.” Right then the puppy darted forward, dragging me half a step as it perfectly photobombed the picture.
My teammate whispered, “Well… that’s our new team member now.” The lady giggled, snapped the picture, and said, “He’s very proud of his cameo.”And honestly? So were we.
But as the day unfolded, the chaos softened into connection. It ended with something far more precious: laughter, music, shared mistakes, inside jokes, and questionable navigation skills we proudly owned by the end. That trip reminded me of the “road less travelled” (a little nod to Robert Frost), and how sometimes the wrong turns lead to the best memories.
As the journeys continued, Limerick came next, offering a completely different rhythm. The day felt like stepping into a blend of art, culture, long walks, and spontaneous exploration. And just when the afternoon slowed into a quiet rhythm, the energy spiked again at the Rugby match in Thomond Stadium. Cold winds, warm coffee, loud cheers, and the electric moment when Munster won, all of it came together like a scene that stays with you long after it ends. It reminded me to soak in every emotion, because every feeling adds its own spice to life.
That sense of discovery deepened during the mystery trip, which unfolded into a beautiful journey to Sligo. Cows curiously watched us on the trails, the waterfall roared softly in the distance, and the beach welcomed us with shells, saltwater splashes, and the best gelato ever. Somewhere between the waves hitting the shore and the childlike wonder rising in me, I felt a quiet clarity, a reminder of why I chose this course, why I came here, and what I was truly searching for.
With every trip feeling like a chapter of its own, the journey to Glendalough added yet another layer to the story. It felt like nature’s embrace, shimmering lakes, fluttering leaves, winding paths, birds darting through the air, and the peaceful rhythm of waterfalls carving their way. It became a place where everything slowed down, a space where I could return to myself, piece by piece, reconnecting the parts of me that get lost in the noise of everyday life.
One more trip awaits… and as I look back, every journey stitched me together in ways a classroom never could. Each destination taught me more about nature, adventure, friendship, and most importantly, myself. With each step, I learned to join the dots. And slowly, everything began to fall into place.
A sincere thank you to TUS Global, Eoin, and the entire International Student Experience Office, including the incredible Global Ambassadors, for creating these unforgettable experiences. And thank you—yes, you—for reading till the end. Hope you enjoyed this journey through my journey. Have a beautiful day ahead! 🌿✨
~Radhika Redkar.