DNA of multiculturality
Gregory Phelan, a year 5 student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, organised during the last two years some international events which had excellent impact on the promotion of multiculturality at the University of Life Sciences – multiculturality, which has been a part of its DNA for many years.
Gregory has agile and efficient cooperation with RTE – the Irish national TV and radio broadcaster, which resulted in a program being made about foreign-language nationals studying veterinary medicine in Poland. Thus, the Irishman became a student ambassador of his university.
He has a strong conviction that one needs to start shaping one’s professional career while still studying. But he does not do this just for himself – he also supports other students in planning their future career paths. An important event initiated by Gregory was a meeting between Irish students and a representative of Veterinary Ireland. These meetings take place at the University of Life Sciences campus and are addressed mostly to the final years’ students. Their main goal is familiarising the future veterinarians with the possibilities of professional support and development in Ireland. By these activities Gregory provides his colleagues with a possibility to make professional contacts that will be valuable after they finish studying.
As part of cooperation with the Irish-Polish Chamber of Commerce, Gregory actively participates in meetings with young people living in Poland, both Polish and Irish, to promote Irish culture and values stemming from diversity. He also conducts English lessons for Polish children. He cooperates with the Polish Division student organisation in organising intercultural events, such as joint sports games, where Irish students teach other the Gaelic game.
Gregory plays a key role in promoting Gaelic sports in Poland, both as a player and as the chair of Cumann Warszawa GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) – the biggest GAA club in Poland and one of the biggest in Europe. Thanks to regular meetings, training, and sports events Gregory acts as an example that passion and sports may bring people from different cultures together. The club’s activities draw attention of the Polish people, as well as of the Irish students and people from Ireland and other countries. Gregory’s team won the prestigious Pan-European Gaelic Football Championship in 2023.
Another issue that is very important to Gregory is ecology. The proof of how multifaceted his activities are can be seen in a small (originally) but important initiative to introduce free water distributors for students in all buildings, which is currently the university’s flagship pro-eco activity.
“It needs to be emphasised that Gregory manages to perform all these duties while also finding time to study. His average grade for all the years is 4.16, and for his final year it reached 4.34, which makes him one of the best students at the very demanding Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,” says Prof. Dr. Hab. Michał Zasada, rector of the University of Life Sciences, who recommended Gregory. “Thanks to his efforts Gregory Phelan promotes internationalisation in the Polish academic environment, while also supporting Polish students in their work to gain knowledge and develop their abilities. His work for integration, cultural exchange, and education support makes him an invaluable member of the academic community.”