About

The International Society at NUI Maynooth was started in 2004 by a small group of International students tired of having nothing to do at the weekends, and even more tired of the university making no real effort to provide activities or services specifically for International students.

The Society seeks to provide International students with a variety of activities to participate in, ranging from parties, films, day and weekend trips around the country, to simply acting as a medium in which to allow Internationals to meet each other.

Florian, Steffi, Ed and Simone, Dec. 2008

We also hope to aid the International student in their transition into life here in Maynooth, and hopefully to enhance their time in Ireland.  Ideally, visiting students will remember their time here as one of the most enjoyable, memorable, and rewarding experiences of their lives.  And ultimately, we hope that in some small way, the International Society can be a part of those memories and experiences for every International student who comes to Maynooth.

The society is currently run by mainly four people:

• Ed Niedbalski is in his sixth year at NUI Maynooth.  He obtained his B.A. (Anthropology & Philosophy) in 2005, and is currently studying for his Master’s Degree (Anthropology).  A founding member of the International Society, he is in his fourth year as Society Chairman.
• Florian Knorn originally spent six months in Maynooth in 2005, and came back in early 2007 to do his Ph.D. at the Hamilton Institute. He went on many trips with the Society, and now hopes to help out where he can.
• Simone Schmitt arrived here in 2007 and kindly offered her help as secretary and general supporter of the society. She will be here for a few years, studying Youth and Community Work.
• Steffi Klinge is our latest addition to the team. She got here in early 2008 and, just having graduated, will work on her Ph.D. at the Hamilton Institute as well.