What surprised me most about RCSI was the vibrant student life. In my first week as an undergraduate, I remember visiting the Student Life HQ website and being amazed by the variety of societies and clubs. I had assumed we were purely a medicine-focused university, so I did not expect there to be a table tennis team or an environmental society.

Attending the clubs and societies fair was a whirlwind of fun, and I signed up for every activity I could.

Events like Teddy Bear Hospital are especially impressive because they are student-led, with students making time in their busy schedules to create opportunities for others to connect and serve in areas they are passionate about. I was surprised by the energy and commitment full-time students put into their passions and extracurricular activities. It made me realise early on that I could do the same. I had worried that coming to university would mean giving up some of my favourite pastimes, such as playing football, but now playing football is part of my identity as an RCSI student and one of my favourite ways to manage stress.

Another aspect of RCSI that surprised me was how close-knit the community is. Despite having many societies and groups that cater to specific interests or cultural backgrounds, there is a strong sense of connection among everyone. For example, at the Caribbean African Society’s annual Chocolate Ball, you can meet people from all over the world. Students from every corner of the globe come together to celebrate, dance and share food – jollof rice, in particular, has a special way of bringing people together.

This connectedness has fostered a welcoming sense of diversity in our school community.