Learner Voices

“An Cosán has changed my life. It has given me hope to believe in myself. Their incredible and loving staff and tutors are there any time you need a shoulder to lean on. What really stood out for me was how, when I said I could not do something because of my kids, I was always told to bring them with me. It really showed me how they wanted me to succeed.

“My time with An Cosán as a student was enjoyable. I had so many opportunities to speak and interact, which has built my confidence, like having talks as a student with Minister Simon Harris about Further and Higher Education and the digital divide. Through An Cosán, I also gained valuable work experience with Goodbody’s and I had the opportunity to do the Ernst & Young Refugee Access Programme, which led to me doing an internship with them.

“Thank you An Cosán. I will forever be grateful for what you have caused me to achieve.”

“I was afraid of my life going back into education; I was never academic in school. However, there’s loads of support from the tutors in An Cosán and I was able to do it when I got there. I had no belief in myself but, when I got a distinction in my first module, that kept me going and helped me to see that I was better than I thought I was. Doing something I never did before built my self-esteem; I realised I was more than drugs.

“Not in a million years did I think I would be where I am today - I’ve completed a college course, I have become a youth worker and now I’m a Project Worker with Community Addiction Response Programme in Killinarden. I want to stay working in the community and help build people up, help them build their confidence, help them to see that there is a better way of living than drugs

“An Cosán is like a family – all the extra supports and workshops to help you achieve your goals. I’m excited now to see what else the future holds.”

"I was terrified at first and doubted my abilities to even try and write something academically, but I had a team behind me that would pick me up when I fell. When I became part of the An Cosán family - because that’s what we are now, a family linked forever - my outlook changed. I was shown that there was no barrier that I could not overcome. The supports from my classmates and those from An Cosán are the reason I graduated.

“For anyone that has even the slightest itch to go back into education, I would say, ‘Do it’! Regardless of circumstances, there is always a way. Lifelong learning speaks for itself. There is no cap on education - take your first step and begin that journey.”

“When I started with An Cosán, I was living in Kerry in a direct provision centre. It was a very challenging environment, but I enjoyed studying with An Cosán and meeting new people. Most of my fees were paid for with a grant. An Cosán helped us to access the grants. I also got counselling support and a laptop grant.

“Education has the potential to change your life, and it’s never too late to return to education. It’s never too late to go out there and set the world on fire. We can do everything through hard work.

“I really want to play a part in bringing change to people who are faced with stumbling blocks, and I’m now working in Peter McVerry Trust’s stabilisation centre in Phibsborough.”