Watson College Scholars’ trip to Ireland offers global perspective

In an increasingly interconnected world, cultivating a global perspective can broaden cultural understanding and shed light on unconventional career opportunities.

Five Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science students were able to do just that by traveling to the Republic of Ireland this past winter, where they experienced the country’s unique way of life and technological innovations at the University of Galway and industry sites.

The global experience, led by Assistant Director for the Watson Office for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Richard Quiles and Watson Advising Director Jennifer Drake-Deese is part of the Watson College Scholars Program, which helps under-resourced students and connects them with industry sponsors. The program is also designed to provide the support and community necessary to excel while pursuing a STEM degree.

One goal for having Watson Scholars travel abroad is to shed light on how different countries approach engineering, allowing students to learn about foreign innovations and compare them to those at home. This year, they learned about notable individuals in the industry, research, and infrastructure, like the BIA Innovator Campus in Galway.

For Chloe Redd ‘26, learning about the collaboration between departments at the University of Galway and local institutions let her see the creative ways in which other programs conduct research.

“Our hosts showed us the vacuum tubes in the Translational Medical Device Lab,” Redd said. “These are connected to operating rooms in the nearby hospital, so researchers can obtain live samples from patients to observe and develop medicine. Seeing how international schools realize interdisciplinary studies and research through built-in features was inspiring.”

In addition to learning more about her career field on a global level, Redd immersed herself in the country’s culture through engaging with the local community.

“The Republic of Ireland has a cultural emphasis on leading enriched lives,” Redd said. “People work hard and tend to responsibilities but keep a lighthearted attitude and connect with others through this process. Everyone I met in Galway was kind and polite, and unafraid to joke around and have fun.”

For Isabella Vidal ’26, being able to learn about the work at the University of Galway and connect it to her own research experiences this past summer was an insightful experience. Witnessing the broad spectrum of work going on in the global industry opened her eyes to the opportunities she could take advantage of after graduating.

The scholars met industry professionals and researchers in Ireland, which gave them the chance to start building a global network before finishing college. International connections weren’t the only kind, however. Redd found that spending a week together created space for deeper conversations about the future. She was able to build relationships with her peers and be inspired by the unconventional career plans they discussed.

Thiara Lantigua ‘26 also thinks the trip brought the scholars closer together.

“Spending a full week in Ireland with people I had never really talked to aside from academics was the most meaningful part of the global immersion experience,” Lantigua said. “Getting to know them on a more personal level and forming closer connections throughout the week made the experience feel very special.”

Redd emphasized the importance of curiosity when meeting professionals abroad. Rather than solely focusing on technical achievements, asking about personal journeys through conversing with industry leaders at the BIA Innovator Campus and researchers at the University of Galway was eye-opening.

“There is a non-zero chance that their career path has been linear,” Redd said. “Hearing how people end up where they are can provide inspiration and insight for your career search.”

Academically, the trip broadened their idea of what it means to “think like an engineer.” After speaking to Anita Furey at the BIA Innovator Campus about how the skills developed from her engineering degree have helped her as a food technologist, Redd reflected on the ways in which her Watson education is setting her up for success.

“Talking to various professionals has made me realize that thinking like an engineer is an invaluable skill to have,” Redd said. “This made me think about all of the soft skills I have developed through Watson, and how these skills will be of great use for my future.”

While the trip to Ireland was only a week long, they made the most of it by balancing career-focused trips with visits to historic sites, museums, and famous natural wonders.

Museums across Galway and Dublin deepened their appreciation for Irish history and storytelling. Jessica Chen ‘26 described her visit to the Book of Kells Museum at Trinity College Dublin as meaningful.

“I especially loved being able to walk through the Long Room, which houses thousands of historic texts,” she said.

Visiting the Cliffs of Moher stood out for several scholars — not only for their breathtaking beauty, but also for the history surrounding its region and infrastructure. For Vidal, being able to learn about Ireland’s colonial history with the British, resilience, and technological adaptability was inspiring.

“We learned about the history of the area and the historical importance of the roads leading into the mountains and more remote areas of Ireland,” Vidal said. “We also learned about the Irish workers who were forced to work during Britain’s withholding of food from the Irish and how older homes were built with specific materials to account for the climate.”

The scholars encountered meaningful cultural traditions such as the Claddagh ring — a symbol of love, friendship, and loyalty. For junior Ofelia Huerta, witnessing a traditional performance let her experience the ways in which narratives can be told through music.

“As I was listening to a group of people play traditional music, a man started singing, and all of a sudden, everyone went quiet and just listened to what that man was singing,” Huerta said. “It was such a great example of how their culture uses songs to tell a story, and I also got to see how much respect everyone had for the person telling the story.”

By the end of the week, they returned home with more than just your typical photos and souvenirs. They gained professional insights, lifelong friendships, and a broader idea of global career opportunities offered to students in engineering and technology.

“Learning how other universities are doing the research they’re conducting, how their ideas differ from ours, and overall just getting to lead a great group of students like this was definitely an incredible experience,” Quiles said.

Global immersion continues to reinforce the value of community and cultural awareness within the Watson College Scholars Program. For future scholars considering the opportunity of taking the trip, the message is simple: be open to where the experience might lead. There’s a high chance that the global knowledge and connections gained will have a lasting effect that extends far beyond a week abroad.