Cal McLoughlin, 20, is a student in media practice at the University of Sussex and president of the Irish society. She is from Galway, Ireland, and left the country to study in the UK
Why did you decide to study in the UK?
The course choice is limited in Ireland because there are so few good universities. And I wanted to do a practical media course – those in Irish universities seemed theoretical rather than hands-on.
My extended family live in the UK so I was more familiar with it than other countries and the cost was less than going to America or Europe. The language issue also limited where I could go.
What have been the biggest benefits of studying here?
The course is exactly what I wanted. I’ve gained independence by moving abroad and learning about a new culture – people wouldn’t think there are that many differences between Ireland and England, but the distinctions in mannerisms and behaviour are pronounced.
The Irish are known for being super friendly and welcoming. English people are just as friendly, and some are my best friends now, but they can come across as formal when you first meet them. They live up to the English stereotype of uber politeness, which I found disconcerting.
How did you eventually make friends?
I wasn’t living on campus, which made it hard, so I had to force myself to go to as many socials as possible. I had to push to include myself.
I went to the walking club in first year and joined the university TV station. Two girls and I started an Irish society, which ended up being really cool because I hadn’t met any other Irish people there before. Loads of people joined, bringing the Irish community in Sussex together.
What do you get from Irish friends that you don’t from British friends?
Being friends with Irish people is almost a nostalgic thing – we can speak some Irish language, reminisce about Irish colloquialisms and talk about sports. We’ve gone to watch Gaelic football and hurling, and to Irish bars.
The Irish people in the group get on almost automatically, and non-Irish students find it a novelty learning about Irish culture. English accents are hilarious and I’m always annoying my friends by getting them to pronounce loads of words.
What do you miss most about Ireland when you’re in the UK?
Irish people drink in a different way from English people. They enjoy it more, rather than the English attitude – especially among students – of not really enjoying it but having pre-drinks and getting wasted.
Ireland also has a stronger notion of its own culture. Maybe it’s because I’m at Sussex which has a high percentage of international students, but the culture here is a big melting pot. There’s no one unique element, so I don’t get a strong sense of English culture, whereas I get a definite feeling of Irish culture when I think about it.
When I lived in Ireland, I used to hate it. I felt it was too small, stifling, and that everyone was too provincial. Now I’ve left, I feel a lot prouder of my cultural heritage and of being the president of the Irish society. I have a better relationship with my country since I moved away and got to look at it from an outside perspective.
I get a bit nostalgic when I have Guinness or Tayto crisps but I don’t really miss any foods or TV shows. We don’t place much emphasis on food and our TV is shit.
How often do you go back to Ireland?
In my first year, I went home every two months and at Christmas for the whole month, because I was homesick and didn’t have many friends. But now I have more friends and a cat named Echo, that my boyfriend bought me, so I have more reason to stay and I’ve only been home once this year. My mother is very family-oriented, so if I go back it’s for her sake now.
What do British students ask you most about?
People seem really ignorant about Irish politics. The divide between the Republic and Northern Ireland is still a hugely contentious issue in Ireland and it’s a big subject in school.
But here people often ask if I’m from northern or southern Ireland and that question alone – without them even realising that there’s no country called “southern Ireland” – would really offend some Irish people.
Do they bring up Irish stereotypes?
I’m always subjected to atrocious Irish accents and jokes about being able to drink everyone else under the table; and any time I mention potatoes I’ll get “oh of course you’re talking about potatoes”!
But I embrace the jokes because there’s nothing too negative about them. A lot of English and international students join the Irish society just because of the Irish stereotype.
Do you ever cook for your fellow students?
Last year, the weekend after St Patrick’s Day, we did a huge Irish breakfast. I had about 20 people over to my house and we cooked proper potato farls, potato cakes, soda bread and Irish sausages. Loads of Swedish people came for some reason, they seemed intrigued by it. We also did a St Patrick’s Day event where we served Irish stew and drinks like Irish car bombs, and had deals on Guinness.
Do you have anything in your room to remind you of home?
I had a huge Irish tricolour flag that covered half the wall, but at the last St Patrick’s day event someone took it. I have some things my mum sent me, like a St Brigid’s woven cross, and pictures and postcards.
What is your standard of living like in the UK compared to Ireland?
Better because of the health service provision – it’s free for students and prescriptions are free, which I wouldn’t get in Ireland. I’ve gone to the doctor more in the last three years here than I have my whole life in Ireland. I’ve been able to take care of myself better and the university has great counselling and student support services, which I’ve used.
Transport is also better in the UK – in Ireland, everyone is expected to have a car. And food is cheaper in the UK because there are big supermarkets that sell things at cut price.
And going out?
Brighton is the perfect student-centric town with a lot of clubs and bars and places to go out. Again, the big difference is transport – buses run 24/7, so it’s easy to go out any time; in Ireland our buses don’t run after 11pm. In Brighton, people just throw on any clothes and go. In Ireland, you go out less regularly but dress up for it and spend more money, so it’s more of a big deal.
What were your expectations of studying in the UK?
I was so fixated on how much I disliked Ireland that I just expected it to be better in every way. I thought I’d meet a wide variety of people and learn about different ways of life.
In my first year it all came crashing down – the homesickness hit me, the daily practicalities of living in a new place and making friends all seemed so hard. But now that I’ve been here for a few years, it’s surpassed all expectations. I can’t imagine what my life would be if I’d stayed.
What advice would you give to other Irish people heading for the UK?
Make sure you’ve got Skype, a good webcam and a phone network that offers cheap international calls, so you can stay in contact with friends and family.
Read more stories in the series:
• International students in the UK: who are they really?
• Meet a student from... Germany: ‘I brought a meat hammer from Germany so I can make schnitzel’
• Meet a student from... Malaysia: ‘I miss how, in Malaysia, everything revolves around food’
