What would it take for you to pack up shop and fly halfway across the world? For Mayo sheep farmer and newly graduated Cormac Garvey, it was the idea of an opportunity he couldn’t pass up that served as the decisive factor. “When the opportunity comes around and lands in your lap like this did, you take it.”

The opportunity Cormac speaks of was the chance to study Chinese culture for a year in Beijing, on a scholarship. So how did this come up in the first place?

The Chinese visit

In 2015, the premier of China, or the vice-president in our vernacular, visited Ireland. It so happened that it was the Garvey farm in south Mayo that had the pleasure of hosting the Chinese statesman.

“Two years after the Chinese visit to our farm, the new Chinese ambassador to Ireland visited wanting to see where the vice-president had been. When he was there, he mentioned to my father, Cathal, that there was a scholarship programme I should apply for in Beijing, catering for six European students,” Cormac explains. As Cormac says himself, it was an opportunity he couldn’t and wouldn’t pass up.

Adapting to the lifestyle

Adapting to the lifestyle is one of the main issues people have with moving abroad. For Cormac, the beginning was difficult, but adaption came eventually.

“I flew out the day after my graduation. I wasn’t really that anxious about it until a few days before I went out there, because it seemed surreal. At the start it was tough. I say saying to myself: ‘What the hell am I doing out here?’ Even still I am not sure if I’m brave or stupid coming out here without the language, but I am here now, settled in and happy,” Cormac explains.

“There is a perception in Ireland that China is behind us, as it is still developing, however this is not the case. College here is the same as UCD, except for the language and the food.”

The course itself

“The course that I am studying is called cultural development of China. It is a one-year diploma and it is done through English, which is a big help. I am taking Chinese classes once a week, but will be doing more as time goes on. I know I won’t be fluent in the year, but I would like to have a foundation and a grasp of it.”

While adapting to college life, forging friendships with those from different nations and joining the Beijing GAA club to make new friends – the opportunities from studying in China are not lost on the UCD graduate.

“There are opportunities here. As China’s wealth grows, the diet becomes westernised. For Ireland, this provides huge opportunities into the future.”

Cormac sets sail for home on 31 July next year, almost 11 months after he left Ireland. An opportunity taken.

New Food Business with Chinese Studies course

UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science recently announced a new programme to begin in 2018.

Entitled Food Business with Chinese Studies, the programme was officially launched by the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, at this year’s Ploughing Championships.

It is set to be a four-year course, designed to incorporate Chinese language and culture into the already existing business courses provided by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. The programme will also provide for a year-long student exchange to China with a partner college in the Asian state. This part of the course will take place in third year. According to UCD dean of agriculture Professor Alexander Evans, year three is vital for students in their cultural understanding.

“Students will experience first-hand the diverse culture of China and the vibrant economic growth that the second largest economy in the world has to offer.”

Minister Creed, who launched the course in September, was encouraged by the creation of such a course. “The new Food Business with Chinese Studies degree programme is timely, relevant and will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for professional decision-making in agri-food businesses in the global market,” he said.

The course is available on the CAO applications form for current Leaving Certificate students. Feedback thus far for the course announcement has been positive, according to UCD, and interest in the course will be keenly awaited.