My MIC Story - Ava Prendergast

Inis beagán dúinn fút féin.

Haigh a chairde!

Is mise Ava, is as Contae Laoise mé. Táim bliain is fiche d'aois agus táim sa 3ú bhliain anseo i gColáiste Mhuire gan Smál (CMgS) i nDurlas. Táim ag déanamh staidéar chun a bheith i mo mhúinteoir Gaeilge agus Gnó. D’fhreastal mé ar Scoil Chríost Rí i bPort Laoise sular tháinig mé anseo.

Faoi láthair táim ag comaitéireacht agus tógann sé timpeall 40 nóiméad gach lá. Tá an t-ádh orm go bhfuil seirbhísí traenach agus an mótarbhealach cóngarach domsa .Bím ag tiomáint cuid is mó den am, mar ní oibríonn an traein le mo chlár ama.

Tá cuid is mó de mo chairde ag comaitéireacht ar an traein nó ar an mbus, más as Tiobraid Árann iad. Tá CMgS Durlas inrochtana, agus is cúis iontach eile é chun CMgS a phiocadh!
 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m Ava, from County Laois. I’m 21 and in my third year at MIC Thurles where I’m studying to become an Irish and Business Studies post-primary teacher. I attended Scoil Chríost Rí before beginning my journey here in MIC Thurles.

Currently I commute to college. It takes me about 40 minutes each day, both ways. I’m fortunate enough that I have both a train service and a direct motorway that I can avail of to get to college. However, I tend to drive the majority of the time as the train runs every two hours and often doesn’t line up with my lecture times.

A lot of my friends commute via the train or even bus if they are from Tipp. MIC Thurles is very accessible in that way, which is another great reason to pick MIC!

Cén fáth ar roghnaigh tú MIC?

Roghnaigh mé CMgS mar bhí sé mar cheann de na Coláistí amháin a bhí in ann mo dhá ábhar a chur ar fáil leis an oideachas i gcéim cheithre bliana. Tá athrú mór tagtha ar mo chéim teagaisc agus socrúcháin sa dá ábhar a chríochnú laistigh de cheithre bliana.

Tháinig mé go dtí an Lá Oscailte agus na Laethanta Eispéireas na Mac Léinn anseo ar an gcampas. Bhraith CMgS cosúil le teaghlach mór lena ranganna beaga, an timpeallacht chairdiúil agus an t-eolas faoi na hábhair éagsúla. Tar éis a bheith ag labhairt le roinnt mac léinn agus a gcuid tuairimí agus taithí a fháil, bhí a fhios agam go raibh CMgS an áit domsa!

Why did you choose MIC?

I chose MIC at the time because it was one of the only colleges that offered my two subjects, Gaeilge and Business Studies along with an Education degree all wrapped up into four years. Completing my teaching degree and placements in both subjects within four years was a game changer.

I came along to both the Open Days and Student Experience Days here on campus. The small classrooms, friendly environment and walk through of all the subject options made MIC feel like one big family. After speaking with some students and asking them for their opinions and experiences, I knew MIC was the place for me!

An raibh sé éasca aithne a chur ar dhaoine agus cairde nua a dhéanamh?

Is pobal beag muid anseo i CMgS Durlas. Faoi láthair tá timpeall 600 mac léinn anseo, uimhir atá níos lú na mo shean meánscoile Gan dabht, má fheiceann tú na daoine céanna gach uile caithfidh sé a bheith éasca cairde a dhéanamh, laistigh agus lasmuigh do chúrsa.

Bhí an t-am is fearr agam ag déanamh cairde anseo, trí spórt, clubanna agus cumainn éagsúla. Is cuma má tá aithne agat ar dhaoine nuair a thagann tú isteach nó nuair a thagann tú i d'aonar, tá cara, grúpa nó cumann do chách anseo ag CMgS.
 

Has it been easy to get to know people and make new friends?

MIC Thurles is a small community. Currently there are just over 600 students here, which is smaller than my old secondary school. Undoubtedly, seeing the same people every day makes it quite easy to make friends, both within and outside of your own programme.

Through sports, clubs and societies, I have had the best time making friends here at MIC. Whether you know people when you join or come on your own, there is a friend, a group or a society for every student here at MIC.

Cad é an rud is mó a thaitníonn leat faoi shaol an choláiste?

Is a bheith bainteach le saol na mhic léinn an rud is fearr liom faoin gcoláiste! Táim mar Oifigeach Gaeilge le Aontas na Mac Léinn (MISU) faoi láthair. Trína bheith mar chuid den fhoireann sacair agus an Cumann Gaelach anseo tá mé tar éis éirí níos muiníní.

Ní théim amach go minic – ní maith liom na tithe tábhairne nó na clubanna oíche. Is breá liom a bheith ag glacadh pháirt, áfach, agus creidim an-láidir san abairt ‘Is é saol an Choláiste a dhéanann tú é’. Tá baint agam leis na clubs agus socs anseo i nDurlas éile agus chomhbhunaigh mé an Drama Soc! Is breá liom an taobh sóisialta de Shaol an Choláiste!
 

What do you love about college life?

Being involved with student life has by far been the best thing about college! I’m currently the Irish Language Officer for the MIC Students’ Union (MISU). Through being part of the soccer team and the Cumann Gaelach here I have become more confident and outgoing.

I don’t really go out – the pubs and the clubs aren’t for me. I love being involved in college life and I hold a very strong belief in the saying that ‘College is what you make it’. I’m heavily involved in the clubs and societies here in Thurles, I even co-founded the Drama Soc here. The social aspect of college life is what I love the most!

Cad é an rud is mó a thaitníonn leat faoi bheith ag staidéar in MIC?

Is breá liom a bheith ag staidéar anseo mar ceanglaíonn sé mo phaisean don Ghaeilge agus staidéar gnó le deiseanna iontacha. Bainim an-taitneamh as mo scileanna teanga a fheabhsú agus a bheith ag foghlaim faoi chultúr na hÉireann go laethúil.

Bíonn na léachtóirí thar is a bheith tacúil agus sochaideartha i gcónaí, rud a dhéanann difríocht ollmhór domsa! Is áit chomh dearfach agus inspioráideach é chun a bheith ag foghlaim agus le fás!

An Buaicphointe is mó is atá ann ná an socrúchán scoile. Is deis é an méid a d’fhoghlaim mé a chur i bhfeidhm agus taithí phraiticiúil mhúinteoireachta a fháil. Ba é an rud is fearr den chúrsa anseo i CMgS Durlas ná an socrúchán scoile. Soláthraíonn spreagadh ó theagascóirí eispéireas tacúil. Is féidir leis an ualach oibre a bheith dúshlánach uaireanta, ach is rudaí iontach iad an caidreamh, an taithí agus na ceachtanna a fhaigheann tú agus tú ar do shocrúcháin.
 

What do you love about studying at MIC?

I love studying at MIC because it combines my passion for Irish and Business Studies with amazing opportunities. The Irish modules are so engaging, and I really enjoy improving my language skills while learning about Irish culture.

The lecturers are incredibly supportive and always approachable, which makes an enormous difference. MIC also has great resources and a lovely community of like-minded students. It is such a positive and inspiring place to learn and grow!

School placement is a highlight – it is so rewarding to apply what I have learned and get hands-on teaching experience. It has by far been the best element of the programme here in MIC Thurles. The encouragement you get from your placement tutors as well as the small core student groups leads to a supportive experience. Whilst the workload can be challenging and overwhelming at times, the relationships, experience and lessons you gain whilst on placement are so worth it.

Cad a thaitníonn leat a dhéanamh nuair a bhíonn am le spáráil agat?

Táim ag comaitéireacht. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhfuil mé sa leabharlann le linn mo chuid ama saor (atá chomh cluthar, agus tá foireann na leabharlainne cosúil le teaghlach) nó i mo charr. Tá go leor siopaí, caifé agus bialanna anseo sa bhaile a d’fhéadfainn dul chucu le haghaidh Matcha nó spota lóin a fháil mura bhfuilim gnóthach le m’obair chúrsa nó le dualgais an Chumainn!
 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time in the College when commuting means I’m either in the College library (which is so cozy and warm, and the library staff are like a second family) or in my car. There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants here in town that I might go to for a matcha or a spot of lunch if I’m not busy with my coursework or society duties.

Cad ba mhaith leat a dhéanamh nuair a bheidh do chéim bainte amach agat?

Tar éis mo chéime a bhaint amach, ba mhaith liom mo Dhroichead a dhéanamh! Ina dhiaidh sin ba bhreá liom filleadh ar ais ar an staidéar san ardoideachas agus mo mháistreacht nó b’fhéidir rud éigin eile a dhéanamh.
 

What would you like to do after your graduate?

After graduation I definitely want to get my Droichead done! Following that I would love to return to studies at higher education and pursue a Master’s, or something further possibly.

Cén chomhairle a chuirfeá ar dhuine a bheadh ag smaoineamh tabhairt faoin staidéar in MIC?

Beidh sé seo bunúsach, ach is é mo chomhairle ná ‘Dean é’! Tá go leor cúiseanna iontacha ann chun a bheith i do mhúinteoir nó chun staidéar a dhéanamh anseo i CMgS Durlas. Is coláiste uathúil muid – fanann muid beag ó thaobh uimhreacha ach tá aitheantas mór againn.
 

What advice would you give to anyone considering studying at MIC?

This is going to sound basic, but my advice is to just do it! There are so many amazing reasons to become a teacher or to study here at MIC Thurles. We are such a unique college – we remain small in numbers but mighty in recognition.

Ag cuimhneamh siar ar an am nuair a bhí tú ag líonadh isteach d’fhoirm CAO agus i mbun na hArdteistiméireachta, cad a déarfá anois leis an duine sin?

Cuir muinín sa phróiseas, coinnigh d’ aigne oscailte, agus bíodh sé ar fhios agat go bhfaighidh tú an cosán ceart.

Glac le gach deis atá agat, go háirithe na cinn a chuireann eagla ort - is iad na cinn a chabhróidh leat. Agus cuimhnigh air seo, ní bheidh gach rud bunaithe ar an gcúrsa a roghnaíonn tú; baineann sé leis a taithí a fhaigheann tú, na daoine a bhuaileann tú, agus na cuimhní a dhéanfaidh tú ar an mbealach.
 

Looking back to when you were filling in your CAO form and doing your Leaving Cert, what would you say to your younger self?

Don’t stress so much about having it all figured out right away. Trust the process, keep an open mind, and know that the right path will find you.

Embrace every opportunity, especially the ones that scare you a little – they’re the ones that will help you grow the most. And remember, it’s not just about the course you choose; it’s about the experiences, the people, and the memories you’ll make along the way.

Cén focal a d’úsáidfeá chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar MIC?

Sineirge.
 

What word would you use to describe MIC?

Synergy.