Jayden Singh

What year are you in?

I’m currently in my second year of the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme at the University of Limerick. Moving from Canada to Ireland has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made, and it has given me the opportunity to grow both academically and personally while studying medicine.

Applying through Atlantic Bridge and moving to Ireland

Applying through Atlantic Bridge made the process of applying to UL very straightforward. As a Canadian student, I appreciated having a clear pathway to an Irish medical school and knowing exactly what was required throughout the application process. The biggest adjustment wasn’t applying, it was taking the leap of moving to a new country across the world from anything I had ever known. Leaving home was daunting at first, but arriving at UL, I quickly realized that so many of my classmates had made the same journey from Canada, which made it easy to find a. sense of community.

What is living in Ireland like?

Living in Ireland has been an amazing experience. Limerick is a welcoming city with a great student atmosphere, and everything feels very accessible. I’ve loved being able to travel around Ireland on weekends, explore different parts of Europe, and experience a culture that is both familiar and completely new. The friendships I’ve made here have become one of the highlights of my time at UL. Whether it is coffee at the milk market or celebrating St. Patrick’s day in Galway, there are lots of fun things to do!

What is the GEM programme at UL like?

The GEM programme is challenging, collaborative, and incredibly engaging. The problem-based learning approach encourages you to think critically rather than simply memorize information, and working in small groups has helped me develop confidence in communicating, presenting information, and learning alongside my peers. Although the workload is demanding, there’s a strong sense that everyone wants each other to succeed, which creates a very supportive learning environment and friends for life.

What experiences have made the biggest impact on you?

The experience that has had the greatest impact on me has been the community I found at UL. Moving across the world meant starting over, and getting involved with the Medical Society allowed me to meet people from every year of the programme while giving back to the student community. Some of my closest friendships have come from those experiences, and they’ve made Ireland truly feel like home.How are you preparing for the next steps after graduation? I’m preparing for the next steps by getting involved in research, seeking mentorship from doctors back home, and learning as much as I can about the different residency pathways available to UL graduates. While graduation is still a few years away, I’ve found that building those connections and exploring future opportunities early has been invaluable.

What advice would you give prospective applicants?

My advice would be to embrace the opportunity wholeheartedly. Moving to another country can feel intimidating, but it’s an experience that will challenge you in the best possible way. Be open to meeting new people, take advantage of everything UL has to offer outside the classroom, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The friendships, experiences, and education you gain here make it an incredibly special place to study medicine.