UNIC Dialogues on "Internationalisation" was held on March 19

13 Apr 2026

UNIC Dialogues is an annual initiative organised by student representatives held at each of the partner universities of the UNIC alliance. On March 19th, UNIC UCC Student representatives Margarita Linetska and Sadhbh Tierney led the local UCC UNIC Dialogues event under this year's theme of "Internationalisation".

The event consisted of three "World Cafe"-style discussion tables, each with a different question. Participants worked in small groups and rotated every 12 minutes, allowing everyone to engage with each topic, with a particular focus on UCC's Global Engagement Plan and its four pillars: Excellence, Impact, Partnership, and Citizenship.

Overall, the UNIC Dialogues at UCC highlighted the importance of internationalisation in creating a vibrant, inclusive, and globally engaged student community. Discussions showed that UCC’s strengths for international students are its supportive social environment, inclusive culture, and practical resources, all of which contribute to a strong sense of belonging from the very beginning.

Improving orientation, communication, and integration opportunities can further ensure that international students feel connected and supported throughout their experience. Exchange programmes were shown to be transformative, developing intercultural awareness, resilience, and career ready skills while strengthening UCC’s global partnerships and reputation. By implementing the recommended actions, UCC can enhance student experience, foster global citizenship, and maintain its position as a leading international university.