Starting University

 

This blogpost is an overview of my time at University so far, with some of its ups and downs. As many of you may know I did a course at a further education college before coming to Maynooth, you'd think I'd have the whole University experience under my belt.

So I'm writing right now as I go. It's my first week at Uni, I'm still nervous and trying to find my way around, wondering if I'm in the right place at the right time. I called my dad and friends and talked to them about if I'm really making the right choice by taking this course, I'm not sure if it because I'm doing three courses in one or if its the fact that I just feel out of place in this massive University where all of my classes have different people in them.

Everyday I try my best to make new friends but its so hard, everyone here seems to know each other already. I haven't been to any of the freshers night outs because I know no one and I know I'd feel so out of place. I try to make it a goal to talk to two new people everyday, it's hard getting to know new people with 60+ people in my class and they already seem to be in friend groups.

Its the start of my third week of Semester 1 now and I want to drop out. I went to the Program Advisory Office to try and talk with them to get advice, they couldn't see me because they were busy. I think having done a PLC last year is a big pat of why I'm wanting to drop out, I had 8 people in my class then, while now I could be in a lecture with 200+ students. I wake up and go to sleep everyday thinking am I studying the right course? and Am I even at the right Uni?

I just go straight home, throw my bed covers over me and just don't want to leave. I couldn't even go to Hockey and Swim practice today because I was feeling so depressed and emotional, even though I knew it would of taken my mind off of everything.

My friends have to be my biggest supporters, I explained to them that I was having a really bad day and here's all the things they had to say:

"You didn't get in because you were lucky you got in because you worked so hard for it!"

"I know but hey your smart I know you can do it, I believe in you "

"I just wanna remind you that your great at anything you choose to do"

Continuing on from my third week, everyday  just seems to be repeating. I finally got to talk to someone at the Program Advisory Office and they basically ran me through my options and what I can do right now and when I'd be restricted and cant do no more.

I then called my friends again and talked it out with them. I decided to change my subject choice. I also rang my dad and he said to contact and meet with as many people as I can that will be able to help me. I went to several meetings with different departments across the University the next day and I have started my process of changing my subject choice.

 

I'm now just going into week 6 of Semester 2 and my whole university experience has changed within a matter of weeks. I'm in my third week of Semester 2, I took my chances with the IESN Society which stands for International Erasmus Student Network. They help exchange students settle into Maynooth University and run events and meet ups every week. 

Since joining the society three weeks ago, I've became the first year representative, got to lead a trip to Kerry with all the students and made so so many new friends from all around the world. Everyone in the committee are the most amazing bunch of people I've met at Uni, we are already like a little family. University is finally starting to feel right, I have so much to look forward to in the next few months. Our ball is coming up at the end of March and I'll be heading to Berlin to learn a lot more about the Society in April.

There's a lot more about Semester 2 that's looking better already, I'll for sure be updating you guys soon!

Mark x

IEP - Corkscrew, Business Start-Up

"Corkscrew are an innovative provider of internships and business startup programs located all over the world. We’re based in the vibrant city of Exeter, UK, and our focus is clear. We want to create the best opportunities for personal and professional development on the market."  - Corkscrew

The Internship:

This was a 14-day international experience which took place from the 7th - 21st of February 2016, I got a taste of entrepreneurship and learned how to start my own business from scratch. I didn't go with a business idea in mind, extensive mentor support was available for idea development throughout the program.

I needed no knowledge of business prior to starting the program and each section was designed to leave us with a broad working knowledge of several key business areas shown below:

• Chapter 1: Here we learned how to find a viable business idea, creatively think outside of the box,  find gaps in the world around us and create a business solution for it.

• Chapter 2: We learned fundamental business skills and learned how to tell if an idea has the potential to be a feasible business.

• Chapter 3: We learned the technical skills needed to kick start our new business by starting small and growing big, when we finished this we built a website for our business.

• Chapter 4: Here we improved our professional skill set and learned vital employability and networking techniques that helped us stand out from the competition.

• The Finale: Worked on our idea throughout the program and pitch our idea to creators at the Pitch Day finale for judgment.

• Worked On A Real Client Project: Here we were consulting on a live business project for a startup company while on the program.

Why I did this Internship:

I did this internship because it was suitable for any person with an interest in entrepreneurship and business startup. The whole trip my accommodation, travel, and training was all provided for me so I didn't have to worry about anything. I learned new skills that will aid in future employment, entrepreneurship and further education.

During the Internship, I got to live with a local family and experience a new culture. The Internship was suitable for a range of career interests including hospitality, business, tourism, HR, and marketing. Overall it was a fun and worthwhile travel experience that I'm so thankful for.

On this program, I got to work with 24 other students of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds. The Internship was 9 to 4 daily, five days a week with weekends off so I really got to socialize outside of the workplace.

We were all in the same situation so it was easier to connect and work with them. After we finished our day we would either go for dinner together, the cinema or a lot of pubs and clubs. I didn't just take away a range of new business skills but I came back to Ireland with a lot of new close friends.

If you'd like to ask me any other questions about my experience please don't hesitate to ask in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading, Mark.

2016: My Top Five Highlights

1. INTERNSHIP IN EXETER 

I started off this year nervous and still in the closet but while on this Internship I got to see what it was like to have an openly gay life, even if it only lasted two weeks. The Internship was run for further education students by Irish Education Partners and was training in entrepreneurship and business startup. 

I got a new perspective on the business world which was completely different to my Multimedia degree. While here, we may have just partied the most of the time but I came away from this experience with some of the best friends I have today.

2. NEW BEGINNINGS 

Next up was graduating from my PLC in Stillorgan. This course may have been short, but it brought me so many opportunities and gave me such a great insight into Multimedia.

Getting accepted to Maynooth University was always a dream of mine and when I came home from America it was now a reality. Starting University and moving to Maynooth was one hell of a rollercoaster but I slowly started to fall in love with it. 

3.  A SHORT AMERICAN DREAM

My summer started off so different to any other as I flew all the way to San Francisco and got to explore this massive city for a few days before heading to South Lake Tahoe. I owe this crazy experience all to Americamp.

I started working at Camp Concord, which is now no doubt my second home. When I was there I really fell in love with my job as a camp counselor and working, while also getting to experience new things every day. One of my favorite memories was road tripping around California. I got to visit Yosemite National Park, LA and so much more with amazing friends.

4. NEW FRIENDS & FAMILY

As I mentioned this year was completely different to any other and that is all because of these amazing new friends you see above. They gave me the most amazing support without even realizing it and for that, I am forever grateful that they accepted me for me.

This year I got to spend a lot of time adventuring with friends which is one of my favorite things to do. I also turned 20 and spent my birthday with friends who no doubt I would call my family.

5. COMING OUT 

Coming out to my friends and family was an emotional rollercoaster this year but it was all worth it in the end. After coming out to family and close friends, I decided it was finally time to try and tell everyone so I created this blog and wrote "Today Is My Day" while also touching on the important topic of mental health. I got some of the most unexpected and loving responses from everyone.

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2016 was no doubt an extremely amazing year for me. Despite the above achievements and highlights, it was a year of realization and new beginnings. We also lost so may people this year all over the world and had so many tragedies, with that I would to just like to take a moment to remember all those we've lost and hope 2017 will be a year of peace and support for everyone.

Here's to a new year. 

Thanks for reading,

Mark x

Choosing AmeriCamp

What is AmeriCamp?
AmeriCamp sends people from all around the world to do Summer Camp in America every year and has won many awards including Best Summer Camp America 2015 Organisation.
Have you ever had a dream of going to America? Well they help to make that dream a reality! By doing AmeriCamp you can gain an incredible job and earn up to $1845 for the Summer, not to mention that you are able to make friends that will last a lifetime. 

They work with over a thousand camps all across America and have had a lot of happy AmeriCampers over the years. For the last five years AmeriCamp has been named Best Summer Camp America Organisation by Save The Student, a “Hol lot of Fun” by The Sun and “only choice” by The Independent.

They have also been named Best Summer Camp America Organisation by Uni2. With all of the awards and accolades that they have won you can rest assured that by applying through AmeriCamp you are not only going to get the highest salary, but the best customer service. On top of all of this they had a 100% placement ratio for 2015.

At the AmeriCamp orientations, in which you will meet lots of other AmeriCampers, they provide #FreeBiscuits It’s the start of every great Summer Camp experience by doing AmeriCamp.

Why I chose this Organisation?
A lot of research was done on all the organisations that send people to summer camps across the states. I didn't just look at which ones paid the best but also the ones that built up a good reputation. 
I chose AmeriCamp because they were a fun and energetic company from the get go, they provided support the whole way through my process, from starting my application at home to making sure I remembered to do all the important stuff one I arrived at camp.

If you'd like to know more from me and my experiences with camp ill be uploading new blog posts on it very soon. You can also get in contact with me if you have anymore questions, just leave a comment below or shoot me a message!

Here's all of AmeriCamp's social media links:
Website -      https://www.americamp.co.uk/
Instagram -   https://www.instagram.com/americamp/
Facebook -   https://www.facebook.com/AmeriCamp
Twitter -       https://twitter.com/americamp
YouTube -    https://www.youtube.com/user/AmeriCampTV
  

Until next time,

Mark x 

TODAY IS MY DAY

Hi my name is Mark Mc Gee. I’m 19 years old and I’m from County Donegal, Ireland. I wanted to write this to share this part of my life with others in hope that it will help with a difficult time in their life.

Its October 11^th which means that today is  National Coming Out Day it also means that yesterday was World Mental Health Day. Its inspired me to write this on both topics, although its hard and scary I’ve jumped over so many hurdles in my life now that have shaped who I am today.

Growing up, I was always that friendly boy in school that was surrounded by friends and family. I always had a smile on my face and was making jokes or laughing with friends. I was always afraid to tell people I was gay growing up, it was always something people didn’t talk a lot about. There were never any role models to look up too within my community, it was always Football players and Country singers.

Even though some people seem happy all the time, maybe check up with them even if its just asking them how they are or if there's anything you can help with. I experienced this today I think for the first time from a stranger I was standing next too, the feeling was so powerful that he noticed that something may have been wrong and just wanted to ask if I was okay

I knew at the early stages of discovering myself that I was different. I thought different meant that I was becoming someone I shouldn’t be, someone no one will love, someone that would never be accepted.

At these early stages depression hits and you start to think the worst of yourself and every situation, this is probably the first time I had suffered from suicidal thoughts. Yes, feeling like I’m too different to live in this world, ashamed to be thinking anything other than “the norm”.

Too many people are taking their lives. Suicide is the leading cause of death in young men in Ireland aged 15-34. Some of those deaths are undoubtedly linked to homophobia and mental health. All I'm asking is that if you're feeling this way, or alone anytime reach out to anyone.

Giving up was always a last resort for me, I understand how hard it is when you’re at rock bottom, but no matter what you can get through it. Talk to someone anyone because they are willing to help and listen. The number of people I grew up with, that I could have said something too about what I was going through that I now know would have been there to help. Just like for me, actually saying and talking openly about being gay is one of the hardest things I’ve been through. I know asking for help when you need it most is hard, just always know someone has been in your situation and they have gotten through it.

Looking back, I didn’t want everyone to know that I’m gay, I wanted to fit in just like everyone else did so I swept my feelings and emotions under the carpet and kept them there all through high school.

Going through school was hard, you have so much pressure to follow along this path, getting yourself out there, jumping in and out of relationships, having people always wonder why you don’t go around kissing girls like every other guy. I thought coming out in school was a bad idea, that people would treat me differently and that they would react a certain being around me.

Coming out was extremely hard and emotional for me, I came out to my family while working in America over the summer. It took me two months to put everything I wanted to say into six pages of an A4 refill pad, countless drafts later and I finally sent it off in the mail back to my family in Ireland. It contains my struggle growing up, much like the post I’m writing now just in a lot more detail. The amount of support I got from my family after I came out was unbelievable, I was shocked that they all took it so well.

A month after I came out to my family I messaged all of my friends telling them I was gay. The responses I got from them were full of love saying how proud they are, how much they love me, that the cant express the respect they have and how they are just proud of how comfortable I was telling them.

If I got through this then you can too, if you know or think someone is in the same situation just let them know that you're there to help. It may take some time for them to open up and talk but just the fact that you're there is all they need. It’s made a big difference that my family and friends accept me. I never cared about the approval of strangers to be who I am, you just have to embrace yourself and be proud of who you are no matter what. The arrival of equal marriage in Ireland last year helped, it gained so much attention to the subject and the support the LGBT+ community got from Ireland was amazing.

Here's some proof out there that you're not alone;

• This is an article on NewNowNext.com written on 16 famous folk who have come out since last Coming Out Day, these include actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and more.

http://www.newnownext.com/gay-celebrities-coming-out-2016/10/2016/

• The next article on MTV.co.uk is all about World Mental Health Day (October 10th). They take a look 11 celebrities who have spoken out about their own mental health.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/life/news/celebs-who-spoke-out-about-mental-health

Stay strong, it does get better,

Mark x