Diane Sheehy, BA Arts International student, is one of five national awardees of the prestigious Iveagh Fellowship Programme for 2023. The programme, run by the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Saothar, is targeted primarily at arts, humanities and social sciences students. The award includes mentorship support to help secure internships relating to international policy. We spoke recently with Diane to learn more about her education and what the Iveagh Fellowship Award means to her.

Originally from Limerick, Diane came to UCC to study the BA International due to the broad opportunities a humanities degree offers. She liked the flexibility an arts degree can provide in further education and career choices. At this time, she was still determining what pathway she wanted to pursue after university.

She says: “I feel like the BA International and specifically the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences provide opportunities to gain experience in the field and decide on a career path that suits the individual.”

Diane enjoys travelling and is enthusiastic about studying abroad and experiencing other educational systems. During the third year of the BA International, her travel and study abroad opportunities were realised.

After being awarded the George Mitchell Peace Scholarship in 2022, Diane studied for a semester at the University of Maine at Farmington, America, followed by a semester at the University of Helsinki. In addition to her studies, Diane is currently the International Representative for the UCC Economics Society and the Events Coordinator on ESN Uni Helsinki. While in Maine, Diane also worked as a Trip Coordinator at the University, planning, organising and leading outdoor excursions for students on weekends around Maine.

She has enjoyed and benefitted from her time living and studying abroad. Reflecting on this past year, she says: “I feel like moving abroad has allowed me to develop and become more independent and confident in myself.”

Diane is excited to be one of the Iveagh Fellows for 2023. When she completes her BA, she hopes to study a master’s in economics and inequalities and pursue a career in economic policy and research.

She says: “I am honoured to be awarded the Iveagh Fellowship. The Fellowship helps Irish students participate in high-quality internships in international policy organisations related to international development, human rights and humanitarian work. I hope to pursue an internship with an NGO working in sustainable development and poverty reduction, concentrating on Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Everyone is pleased with Diane’s success at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

Joint Programme Director for BA Arts International Elisa Serra Porteiro says: “We are delighted with Diane’s success in this competitive award. It is a deserved recognition for her academic achievements and her sense of social responsibility and commitment. The Iveagh Fellowship provides graduates with exceptional, multifaceted profiles and an opportunity to develop the key values we uphold in the Arts International programme and UCC, such as creativity, independent thinking, and engagement with global challenges.”

Congratulations, Diane. Wishing you the very best in your future education and career from all at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.