My experience as a UCD Global Guide

As a student, you rarely stop to think about the work that goes into keeping the university we know and love running, ensuring a pleasant experience for all. 

As a Global Guide, not only do I have the opportunity to see that work firsthand, but I also play a part in making sure that university life runs smoothly. Tucked away in the basement of the Gerard Manley Hopkins building is the UCD Global Lounge and reception, where I work as a Global Guide. 

The Day-to-Day

After working as a global guide for a handful of months, I can sincerely say that no two days are entirely the same. 

However, if I am working in the morning, a common day of mine usually involves opening up the Global Lounge and greeting all the other UCD Global staff on their way in. This is why mornings are my favourite shifts, since they allow me to learn more about and connect with so many different people, each with their own unique opinions, backgrounds and experiences. 

Some other duties of being a Global Guide are answering student and general queries, which can range from simple directions to complex situations that may require escalation to someone more senior. Additionally, I may be tasked with running or supporting events being held in the Global Lounge. 

Working at Events

There is a lot of variety between the events I work on, ranging from coffee mornings to running book clubs, or helping out when the school hosts other universities. Examples of events run by UCD Global and the Global Guides are speed friending, coffee chats, movie nights, and campus tours. 

A recent highlight was helping to host Tsinghua University from Beijing, China, in which I set up the lounge, welcomed the students and staff, and took part in a panel discussion where I, along with other students, discussed campus life and what being a student at UCD is like. 

Afterwards, I took them on a campus tour where I got to connect with the students from China on a deeper level while showing them our expansive campus. It was really an amazing opportunity to learn more about how the same experiences, such as going to university, may differ across the world. 

This role has given me a myriad of transferable skills that I believe I could bring into any office space, such as communication, adaptability, and responsibility. I genuinely feel as though I have grown through my time working here, and that being a Global Guide has made me a better person. 

UCD Global Book Club

Another one of my favourite event experiences was leading the January session of the UCD Global Book Club, where I facilitated a discussion on the concept of indigenous groups and how a more consumerist civilisation has led to their displacement, inspired by a book called Aednan. 

This was one of my favourite events because it made me discuss and learn about a topic that I wouldn’t have come across on my own, and it also shed light on some of the lesser-known indigenous cultures around the world. 

All in all, it was incredibly interesting to hear how people from around the world had different experiences and perspectives on similar topics. 

Personal and Professional Growth

Looking back, being a Global Guide has genuinely added a lot to my life. It’s helped me meet and befriend people I wouldn’t have come across if I weren’t a Global Guide, such as some of the other guides, the people who work in UCD Global, and anyone who has a query. All of these people have helped to change my perspective on life and to learn new things about different cultures. 

Working at UCD Global has also given me an invaluable insight into how offices work. Being a Business and Law student, we often learn a lot about management theory, but to see it in practice has been immensely interesting. It has also given me a greater understanding and appreciation of how the school operates, allowing me to see how even a single person can impact the “big picture” aspects of the university. 

Finally, this role has given me a myriad of transferable skills that I believe I could bring into any office space, such as communication, adaptability and responsibility. I genuinely feel as though I have grown through my time working here, and that being a Global Guide has made me a better person.