My MIC Story - Clara Barrett

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! My name is Clara. I’m 20 and I’m from Mayo. I’m in my third year at MIC Limerick where I’m studying to become a primary school teacher. I’m also a recipient of a MIC Elite Sports Scholarship and I play rugby for Connacht and Ireland. Before coming to MIC, I attended St Brendan’s College in Belmullet.

Why did you choose MIC?

I chose MIC because I wanted to study to become a primary school teacher and I had heard from people who attended MIC that it was a great environment to learn and meet new people because of its small class sizes. I also chose MIC because of its location in Limerick city, which is a great place for student life.

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

Yes, it has been easy to make friends here at MIC as we have small class sizes so you’re usually with a lot of the same people for most of the day so this makes it easy to get to know a few people really well.

I found living in student accommodation to be a great way of making friends as well. I didn’t know any of my housemates before moving in together but now they are some of my best friends and we are still living together in third year. It’s a great way to settle into college as you’re surrounded by other students who are all in the same boat as you.

What do you love about studying at MIC?

I’ve loved studying at MIC so far! On the Bachelor of Education you get lots of practical experience in tutorials, which I think is really good as it’s easier to apply it in the classroom when on placement. I’ve really enjoyed my placements in primary schools. It’s a great experience and you learn a lot from it. This year I’m taking the TEAL (English as an additional language) module, which I’m really enjoying and it’s a great opportunity to be able to take a module like this that is quite relevant in classrooms right now.

There are loads of student supports available to me here at MIC if I need them. There’s also a wide range of clubs and societies here and I think there’s something to suit everyone. It’s definitely worth joining one to meet like-minded people and it’s a great way of making friends.

Because MIC is linked with UL, MIC students can join teams in UL if the sport they want to play isn’t available at MIC. At the moment, there isn’t a rugby team at MIC but I’ve been able to join the UL Bohemians women’s rugby team so it’s great that that option is also available to MIC students.

How does it feel to be a recipient of a MIC Elite Sports Scholarship?

I’m really proud to have received an Elite Sports Scholarship from MIC. It supports me financially and allows me to focus more on my sport and studying. It’s also great to be able to access the gym here at MIC, which I can use any time in between lectures and tutorials.

To anyone thinking of applying, I would say to go for it as it’s a really easy process. You just need to fill in the application form on the MIC website and you’ll hear back with more details. It’s definitely worth doing!

What do you love about college life?

I love the social side of college and the sense of independence you have. I enjoy having freedom in managing my own schedule and being able to meet with friends and do stuff around Limerick in between college.

What do you like do in your spare time?

Besides when I’m training or playing matches I enjoy going for a walk and a coffee with my friends, going to the cinema and going for a night out in the city.

What would you like to do after your graduate?

After I graduate I’m hoping to gain some more experience in teaching for a while and continue with my sport. I’d eventually like to do some travelling as well and maybe even work abroad somewhere for a while but I think I will always end up coming back home.

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

To anyone considering studying at MIC I would say that I am so happy with my decision to study here and that you should enjoy every minute of it because it flies by. I would say definitely get talking to someone in the programme that you’re thinking about studying on to get a better insight into it.

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

I would say to stay focused and not to stress too much. Trust your instincts about what you want to study and don't be afraid to look for help when you need it. Everything happens for a reason so take it one day at a time and enjoy the process.

What word would you use to describe MIC?

Friendly.