Off to Uni

I have written 3 posts on my vision for 2020 but never factored in a return to education. Last week as I watched a Stop Climate Chaos webinar on the Climate Law I heard there was a scholarship to a course I had considered applying for since it started in 2018. I could never apply because being a masters course meant I needed a degree, it was in Dublin City University and it cost thousands. There was little chance of a lone parent in rural Ireland being able to participate. The following is a description of the course:

“DCU’s MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society interrogates how societies are responding to climate change, and how that response can be strengthened. It examines the roles played by politics, regulation, law, education and the media in creating the broad societal response demanded by climate change.“

It started in 2018 and I had explored the possibility of doing it a couple of times. Due to the simple fact that it’s 2020 the normal rules don’t apply! For the first time there is a return to work scholarship for the course, applications could be based upon relevant work experience and Covid19 has meant the classes are online for the foreseeable future. With less than a week to apply I had nothing to lose.

I immediately set about my application. First I had to qualify for the course by proving my experience was as worthy as a degree so I fished out a few submissions I’ve drafted over the past few years. I also had to write up my CV and seek referees. Then I had to explain why I needed the scholarship. All ahead of the agonising wait! Tuesday morning, less than a week after the webinar, I found out I had been accepted on the course. My experience counted. This in itself made my day.

The next email I got from DCU was the all important offer of the scholarship. I had to read it twice and then again! My acceptance email was beaming with delight. There was no way I could afford to do the course without the scholarship. I am still absolutely blown away at how it has all fallen into place.

I always say I have good karma and this is one of those situations that reaffirms that belief. You get back what you give, somehow. When I least expected it I’ve been thrown this opportunity to earn a qualification to match my voluntary work. This will undoubtedly help me to return to the workforce and earn a living doing what I am most passionate about – reversing the damage humankind has done to it’s own life support system. I am one very lucky lady who is really looking forward to university! I am very grateful to the NTR foundation and DCU for the opportunity. I am forever grateful to everyone I have worked with over the years because without you I wouldn’t have had the experience to qualify. Thank you x

Theresa O’Donohoe

30th September 2020