Language Learning Journeys
Language Learning Journeys
Mandarin, memories and a journey beyond the classroom: Ethan Gilroy
For Ethan Gilroy, studying Mandarin has led to experiences far beyond the classroom. Through dedication, curiosity and the support of teachers and community, he has travelled to Shanghai and Shenzhen, represented Kerry’s Chinese community, and discovered the power of language to connect people across cultures.
When I first sat down for my Chinese class in Transition Year and heard the words “Trip to China”, I was set. Nearly three years on, what began in that classroom has grown into something I could never have anticipated.
After getting over the fundamentals and building myself up through ‘pīnyīn’ and beginning to understand the process of writing characters, before I knew it, I was seven hours in, catching a connecting flight from Doha to Shanghai. Awarded a scholarship to attend a summer programme jointly organised by UCC and Shanghai University, I landed at Pudong International Airport and was promptly brought onto a university bus as we carried right on to the massive, four-lane highways of Northern Shanghai. The memory of gazing out the steamy bus window into this endless, sprawling metropolis is permanently etched in my mind’s eye.
The Chinese classes presented a spot of difficulty in the early stages, but I can’t deny the quality of resources and the patience our teacher showed any of us who were struggling. That experience of being stretched and supported reflected something I had already begun to understand about language learning: progress is rarely comfortable, but it is always worthwhile.
My biggest take-away, however, was how incredible it was to meet and get to know people from all corners of the world. The idea of meeting people from so many diverse cultures and backgrounds makes everything else in life seem negligible by comparison.
That first scholarship opened doors I am still walking through. Back in Ireland, I sat and passed the HSK Level 2 Mandarin Chinese Proficiency Exam at 97% in 5th year, and I am currently preparing independently for the 2026 Higher-Level Mandarin Chinese Leaving Certificate (equivalent to HSK Level 2/3) through the PPLI programme. I was honoured to be named Kerry Chinese Ambassador 2024 by the local Chinese community in County Kerry, a recognition that means a great deal to me personally. On stage in Tralee, I have delivered bilingual speeches in both Chinese and English at Chinese New Year celebrations, sharing my experience of learning the language and hoping to encourage others to see what is possible.
Most recently, I was awarded the 2025 YES Young Envoy Scholarship, which brought me to Shenzhen for nine days during the October break, and it could not have been more different from, or more complementary to, my Shanghai experience. Where Shanghai dazzled with its scale and skyline, Shenzhen revealed China in layers.
But the moments that stayed with me most were the quieter ones. Spending time immersed in a local secondary school, sitting alongside Chinese students my own age, and being welcomed into a Chinese family’s home, hearing about their daily lives, their hopes, their routines, reminded me that language is ultimately not about exams or certificates. It is about connection. Every word of Mandarin I had studied suddenly had a face, a kitchen table, a conversation behind it.
Some places are not just destinations. They become chapters in the story of who we are. Shenzhen added another.
For any student sitting in a classroom right now wondering whether a language like Mandarin is worth the effort: it is. And then some.
Finally, I would like to thank my Chinese teachers Chris Sun, Angie Baily and Xiao Han Zheng, the Kerry Chinese Community, the staff at Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, and the UCC Confucius Institute, whose support and generosity made each of these experiences possible and opened doors I could never have imagined.
Update: Ethan’s hard work and dedication have paid off with excellent exam results, and he is now embarking on the next stage of his academic journey at University College Cork (UCC), studying Government and Political Science with Chinese and German.
For Margo, learning languages has never been a straight or predictable path. Instead, it has been a process of discovery, trying, letting go, and recognising which languages truly resonate with who she is and who she hopes to become. Shaped by childhood, migration, friendship and curiosity, her language journey shows how finding the languages that suit you can deepen not only communication, but also a sense of identity and connection.
Read more about it here.
Katie Clancy shares her journey of learning Japanese – starting at just 14 through self‑study inspired by Japanese media, pushing through early challenges, and achieving fluency through dedicated university study and time spent living in Japan. Her experience underlines how if you have clear personal goals and steady perseverance, anyone can make real progress in a new language.
Read more about it here.
Dylan Collins shares his 13-year journey of learning Russian, beginning with French studies in school and inspired by a TG4 documentary featuring Russophones speaking Irish. Despite initial challenges with the 33-letter Cyrillic alphabet, his determination led to a strong passion for the language and continued study at university level.
Read more about it here.
Aedín McConnell shares her journey of learning Mandarin Chinese, inspired by her passion for traditional Irish music and a fascination with Chinese culture. Despite challenges like fear of making mistakes and limited resources, she found success through immersive experiences and engaging with Chinese media. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance and finding motivating materials in language learning.
Read more about it here.