VIDEO: Travellers share experiences of third-level education
Posted on: 21 July 2022
Social work graduate Kathleen Joyce, Trinity Foundation student Michael Tennant and TU Dublin student Annmarie Mc Donagh speak about barriers to third-level education they have faced and supports and resources they received that helped them overcome them.
To coincide with Traveller Pride Week 2022, Trinity Access Programmes (TAP) at Trinity College Dublin have released a new video to raise awareness about routes for Travellers in higher education.
Social work graduate Kathleen Joyce, Trinity Foundation student Michael Tennant and TU Dublin student Annmarie Mc Donagh speak about barriers to third-level education they have faced and supports and resources they received that helped them overcome them.
In the video, Kathleen Joyce said:
“I'm well aware I'm a member of the Travelling community and everyone else is. You don't lose your identity just because you go to third level”.
Annmarie McDonagh said she could still balance commitments with her own community while pursuing her own studies.
“If people are struggling with balancing their life, there are so many supports available like for mental health and well-being".
Michael Tennant said of the Foundation course at Trinity:
"In TAP it’s all an equal playing field and everyone gets the same opportunities, everyone’s able to have the same chances and the support is amazing".
According to the latest Higher Education Authority (HEA) National Access Plan, there have been marginal improvements in the number of Traveller students attending third-level education, but the total remains low. Trinity College Dublin recently received funding from the HEA along with other institutions to combat the existing gap and to ensure that the impact of Covid-19 does not hinder further progress.
There are targeted places for members of the Travelling community on the Trinity Access Foundation course. The initiative has proved successful in encouraging those from under-represented backgrounds to continue their education.
The Gisele Schmidt Scholars Fund for Travellers was also founded in 2007 in Trinity and continues to provide financial support to Traveller students so they can avail of the full benefits of third-level education.
Media Contact:
Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie
