 Cam, we are actually because we're sort of out the back of the canteen, but just going through those doors past the canteen In towards the main hub and heading towards reception And it is a different story I can tell you because the tables lined up with all the all the different departments and there's academic staff and there's student support staff and all there for all the questions that Anyone is asking. I'm glad now that I'm joined here in our studio by the Schools Engagement Officer, Lauren Reynolds Lauren, good afternoon. And also a student here who's that, Neve Mohon, Neve Great to have you both in the studio. Let's start with you, Neve, actually, and tell us a bit about your student experience here What year? I'm done my first year and starting second year now. In what? Health Towns Official Therapy Studies. Okay, and How were you before you started? Was it Was it a big step? Do you travel? Whereabouts in the county from? I'm from out to Dunny all time. Okay Do you travel over and back? Yeah. Yeah, and and and how did you feel before you started or how did you feel before you even chose here? What what what was the you know? What the decision-making process was it straightforward? It was and it wasn't I I applied for a few places, but I was 17 I started college so letter Kenny to me just seemed like the best idea. I came in last year for the open day and I got a tour of the place and it just felt more personal and more colleges than the other colleges I went to like I did go around the country to see but everything just felt like it was just Made for everyone. Where is this? The tour was so personal. I got a one-on-one. I got shown everywhere And when I was 17 moving out didn't really seem like a good idea at the time I kind of wanted time to like get myself together. So I decided I'd go to letter Kenny I go up and down now every day and I love it. Yeah, so one year on when you're on Yeah, definitely My course is actually two years here and then two years in Coventry So it means I do get the chance to move out, but I got the time to like get myself together I'll be 19 now leaving so next year. So I'm looking forward to that as well Well, I roll the clock back a long way to when I was 17 I think I would have felt exactly the same as you if I'd sort of gone in that direction just a 17 It's you know, it's very early to be making those big decisions, but to have to know that you Well, in your case was a college now university on your doorstep And to be able to choose it and then two years time if you want to you know Sort of narrow it down or you want to develop your studies further that you can go wherever it is UK or or further field if you want if you don't finish it out here that is Okay, I'm using two years Lauren. Yes, indeed. And John, I think you really just set the scene there when even you said that you didn't have too far to travel down here that We're now a university and that's that's the offering for kids in Donegal and further a field that they don't have Too far to travel for that globally recognized degree and you know listening to Neve And it's just it's such a good story and Neve's a sports scholarship as well And even the offering of that health studies degree with its two years here and two years there You know, it's 17 students are very young making that decision So what Neve's doing the two years here and then in Coventry when she's got lovely friendships and relationships built up with her cohort of classmates that she'll be going over to Coventry and she'll get that experience as well and I think that even studying in a local University as well that we look at the overall student experience So yes, we have a range of courses and it's not only the range of courses But it's the standard that we offer them on and then that's the experience then goes hand-in-hand And what it offers for the student a lot of students will come here that yes They'll still live at home. They'll keep their part-time jobs So they might get a car on the road they get then to save money and go and experience J1s inter railing You know weekends here gigs here and things like that that they've got the part-time job and the money to do that So there's a there's a lot on offer here there. There's a lot to recommend here For sure and and you've outlined some of them You're also hearing I think inside today Experiences and this is from the students who things have changed dramatically in even the last few months that when they were making their decisions or when they were applying things were different to how they are now and availability of Accommodation Prices the cost of fuel all big factors Totally totally John and you know at 17 There's a lot of decisions to be made and when you go to navigate your CEO application and you're putting in all of your choices You're thinking yeah, what's my number one? What's my choice? But then there's a whole load of other things that play and certainly the landscape has changed There's a accommodation crisis, you know that that across the country and then the cost of living So there's there's children there kids there young adults that might have chosen to do a degree in Dublin and Cork and Galway and Then their parents are saying you know, that's just not an option for us now. So let's see what is available So then we're this is the point of these information days and events to say, you know You can read jig and reorder your CEO to come to letter Kenny or to Kelly bags to a to you Donnie gall and stay at home and sometimes look it is an unfortunate situation that the decision might not be in The the the student who's done their leaving said it might not be in their hands But in their parents But for any student who is in that situation Do rest assured that you are getting the full student experience here and just touching back as well Like on the range of courses that we offer, you know, we've got Three faculties across business engineering and technology and science and health. We have 62 CIO programs that is a massive massive offering and I touched on briefly as well that it's not only the offering But it's the standard of which those courses are are held to know for instance our law degree here It gives a student entrance into their FE ones into Kings End So there's your solicitor and your bar exams. There are a lot of courses have teacher council recognition So it's a pathway into teaching. There's 19 new programs on our books that for this year, you know, and that's only growing as well So I would I wouldn't implore any students, you know that has done their leave and said and that is sitting at home and sitting on maybe accepting their offer or not accepting their offer and They've got lots of people in weighing in on have you thought about this, you know Calm down and talk to us if you can't make our information day today, you know We're we're on the end of the phone We're on the end of the email and we will support you in any decision and and help you navigate that minefield best we can I have the prospectus here and it's It's it's a weighty volume and and that is a good sign because as you mentioned with all the programs that are Available and they all have to be outlined in the prospectus or Presum most of them are anyhow, you know, you can understand why it's why it's so big But I just I go back to you, Neve. It's it's not all about attending lectures. No, I am a sports scholarship I have a sports scholarship here in our county as well And it is such a help like you get you can get academic help You get financial help so that can help you both in your sport and in your studies Depend on how you choose to spend it and you get the support of everyone here And you also get access to your height form is Jim the gym. That's in the college there and it's on real and It's it's good opportunity to meet new people like I've met like so many new friends just from Being with the sports scholars like with our like presentation days Like I got chatting to new people like I've met new people at do athletics as well So I made new friends just from being a sports scholar as well as being in class There's a great vibe within Lauren and it's I suppose There's an it's just an extra pep in your step this year because you know you have that university status And now you're coming on to a university campus. It's brilliant totally totally and look I think I'm I'm from Donegal and I think Donegal in Many walks has always punched above its weight and now it's coming through and it has that university designation and it goes further a field than this campus as well and in the classrooms and the students are coming out with a university degree and It's nurturing our talent, you know educating our talent And then they can go away and a lot of Donegal people gravitate back and a lot of people stay here And it's just it's just it's a wonderful story and it's great to be part of Well listen, thank you both very much for joining us. It's appreciate it I know need you're doing some tours and learn you have more questions to answer Oh then but thank you both very much and need the best look at the rest of your studies. Thank you. Thank you, John