31st August 2025
You must be wondering what was so special about that date, so this was an incredibly special day. I packed my whole life in a suitcase, left my home to come and pursue my long-overdue dream of studying abroad.
Throughout that 12–15-hour journey, I was on a roller coaster with my thoughts – excited, nervous, and every emotion that you could think of, really. And then I was welcomed in Ireland with a beautiful rainbow, and I knew it was a sign that I was going to have a wonderful time.
Hello, I am Shruti Salvi, pursuing my MSc Digital Marketing and Analytics at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick, Ireland. I very well remember going through the journey of selection of the course, university shortlisting, university applications. If I am being honest, and I believe many students will agree with me when I say, it was overwhelming. But my first day at the university made me realize I had made the right choice. Attending the orientation was my first interaction with the university, with the staff, the Global Office team, and the lovely Global Ambassadors. From then on, I believe life has only been a series of amazing events – trips, Diwali, volunteering at the graduation ceremony, Halloween, and the thing that I absolutely love most of all – getting to put a Global Ambassador tag to my name.
I am amazed at how the curriculum is so robust and entirely focuses on practical knowledge and know-how. It makes me understand how classroom concepts are implemented in real life and on a global scale. I also got an opportunity to attend the 3XE Digital Conference in Dublin. There were some great perspectives across various industries. It was great exposure listening to expert insights in person.
It’s been 3 months for me in Ireland, and I think each day for me has been surreal and full of life-changing experiences. I feel the person I was back home is a lot different than what I am today and what I am becoming, but yes, I know 12-year-old me would be super proud. I honestly believe that this journey includes a lot of learning and even more unlearning.
There will sometimes be a few things that will test your patience, and I think working through them, building genuine companionships, and most importantly just believing in yourself and always being your best self will be the best you can do about it. I think I will always owe most of this opportunity to my parents; I get my confidence from my mum and my integrity from my dad. I hope that as I have embarked on this journey, I make both of them proud.
Lastly, I think for any student who is thinking of a dream abroad, I would say just take that leap and trust the process, and most importantly have faith in yourself – things will eventually fall into place.