@ICOSirl

Today, we launch our #SpeakOutAgainstRacism Campaign! The Campaign is in response to research conducted by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) in 2023 which found that two-thirds of international students have experienced or witnessed racism while studying in Ireland. ICOS has developed an information booklet (available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) and video material explaining what racism is, your rights, where to report a racist incident, and why we must call out racism. Call out racism. Report it. Speak Out Against Racism. Click the link in our bio to read about Speak Out Against Racism and your rights. ✊

Scams can happen to anyone — but together, we can stay informed and stay safe. 🔍⚠️ Watch @ksenia.gch from our Student Advisory Group share our top #Scamwatch tips to help protect yourself from scams. 🎥 If you need help, contact @threshold_housing at 1800 454 454. 📞 Please like and share!

Leadership is not just about managing others. It is about listening, communicating, and helping a team succeed. Our Ireland Fellow Ambassador, Laniqua was grateful to take part in the Ireland Fellows Programme Leadership Training in Dublin and learn practical skills that she can apply in her future career. In addition, other Fellows shared their key take away from the training. #ICOS #IrelandFellowsProgramme #IFPAmbassador #LeadershipTraining #StudentLifeIreland #LeadershipSkills #Dublin

Check out our first Alumni Case Study for 2026! Meet Israel Balogun, a former fellow with the Ireland Fellows Programme 2018 cohort. Israel studied at the University of Galway in the LLM in International Disability Law and Policy course. Check out what Israel has to say about the fellowship, his time in Ireland, and what he is up to now! https://irishaidfellowships.ie/case-studies/israel-adekunle-balogun

Scam Alert! 🚨 Today, ICOS, @threshold_housing , and @amle.ie are launching #Scamwatch 2026, aimed at helping you recognise and avoid scams. Take a look at our Scamwatch Toolkit and protect yourself while looking for rented accommodation ➡ https://threshold.ie/scamwatch-toolkit/

Cielo Nicole Rios Galeano from Paraguay, one of our Ireland Fellow Ambassador 25/26, is pursuing in a MSc in IT-Enabled Innovation at @maynoothuni . Cielo had a vast experience in promoting educational opportunities in Paraguay through social media. She worked as project manager of her country’s biggest scholarship promotion platform called BecasPy and she is eager to contribute her experience to the Ambassadors programme. In this video, she wants to show her experiences including academic life and social life so far as an Ireland Fellow for six months. #irishaid #IrelandFellows #IFPAmbassador #StudyInIreland #inspiration #paraguay #makeachange

ICOS is deeply concerned over the failure of a number of English language schools to issue timely refunds to prospective international students whose visa applications have been refused. So far this year, we have received complaints from more than 30 prospective international students, many of whom are from developing countries where the loss or delay of a refund can have serious financial consequences for students and families. In some cases, students have been waiting up to a year to receive refunds for course fees they paid in good faith prior to their visa decisions. The total value of the course fees owed to the students is more than €60,000. We are happy to hear that Lorena from Colombia, who was waiting 10 months to receive the money that was owed to her, was finally repaid last Friday. However, there are still many more people waiting on their refund! ICOS is calling on the schools in question to make an immediate refund to the affected students, and for the Government to implement stronger enforcement of the regulations to ensure international students are protected from the moment they hand money over to an education provider.

Aisha Abdirisak Mohamed from Somalia, one of our Ireland Fellow Ambassador 25/26, is pursuing in a MSc in CyberPsychology at @atu_ie . Aisha wants to show how exciting and life-changing it is to study in Ireland, and she believes that the Ireland Fellows Programme should be even more widely recognized and popular. So, she hopes this video can inspire prospective candidates for this incredible opportunity. #irishaid #IrelandFellows #IFPAmbassador #StudyInIreland #inspiration #somali #makeachange

Chishimba Yvette Mulenga, one of our #IrelandFellows 2025/2026 from Zambia, has shared her positive journey at University College Cork. She served as the Secretary of the International Relations and Scholarships Committee of the prestigious Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) before coming to Ireland. Seeking new skillset and knowledge to make a difference when returning home, she applied for Ireland Fellows Programme to pursue for LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. “I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and definitely recommend other people from my country to participate in the Ireland Fellows Programme. The development achieved is more than just personal and goes beyond academics. It leads to critical thinking and equips Fellows with the necessary tools to be able to sit at any decision-making table around the world.” she commented. Link to full article: https://irishaidfellowships.ie/case-studies/chishimba-yvette-mulenga #IrishAid #IrelandFellows

Despite unimaginable challenges, @eliasamro4 , an #IrelandFellows Programme awardee 2024/25 from Palestine, has graduated top of his class in the Master of Science in Electronic and Computer Technology programme at @dublincityuniversity . Elias’s achievement is an inspiring story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity, and a testimony to the impact of the Ireland Fellows Programme. “You would constantly be checking the news, making sure your parents are safe, calling your parents,” he said. *Ireland Fellows Programme is funded by Government of Ireland and @irish.aid Source from: https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2026/0406/1566896-elias-amro-dublin/

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit (Happy St. Patrick's Day) Ireland really said “go big or go home” this St. Patrick’s Day 🍀🇮🇪 Parades took over the country with thousands marching, dancing, and probably losing their voices along the way. Our Ireland Fellows Ambassadors, Toan and Laniqua, were right in the middle of the action bringing back some top-tier moments from Dublin and St. Patrick’s celebrations for Ireland Fellows. Missed the madness? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Hit play and relive the craic 🎥👇 #irishaid #stpatrickparade #IrelandFellows #fellowshipparty

Hope everyone enjoy the St. Patrick Day celebration party tonight 😉 *All the photos will be posted in the Facebook group. #IrelandFellows #stpatricksday2026☘️🌈🎩