Forward Emphasis: Rooted in Community, Driven by People
Giving Back Is Part of Who We Are At Forward…
My name is Darren, a student in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Letterkenny, located in Donegal. I am currently a third year student, in my final year, studying for a Bachelor of Business Honours.
When deciding on what college to choose before my Leaving Cert back in 2023, I chose ATU as it made more sense financially to attend there. I was, at the time, led by the impression that employers would favour people who study in places like Dublin. It was for this reason, I did not think I would get many big opportunities here in ATU whilst studying for my degree. Safe to say I was very, very wrong.
One day in my first year, during a class of ‘Business in Society’, our lecturer invited someone from the Donegal Youth Service to tell us about a project called ATLIC. It focussed on sustainability and ocean resources regarding businesses and the Blue Economy. It is an esteemed INTERREG project, co-funded by the European Union. People on this project would go to other countries involved with ATLIC and be educated about the Blue Economy.
Then they asked “So, who’s’ interested?”
I raised my hand.
The following March, 10 students, myself included, flew off to Spain for a week. (May I add, it was one of the best weeks of my life!) I had never travelled at all growing up, so to be able to be given the opportunity to travel to Lugo, Spain, on a project that would enhance me culturally, academically and socially, was such a great blessing. I met with people from not just Spain, but the other partner countries as well, Portugal and France. Lovely people, incredibly intelligent to boot. Masters and PhD students or managers and entrepreneurs. To be around such a bright group of people truly benefitted me.
Then, in November of 2024, I went to Portugal for 4 days. It was a dissemination event. There were conferences, public discussions… and the highlight for me was when I replaced one of the Irish speakers a day prior and ended up speaking publicly for half an hour to a room of professionals from all over Europe. It was an incredible experience that really boosted my confidence and showed me that I could hold my own among skilled speakers and academics.
Finally, in July of 2025, as part of the ATLIC project, I was developing my own business idea and went to France for a week — and what an incredible time I had! From touring ancient churches, to businesses and observing their products and facilities. Our hosts were incredibly lovely people and the company I had with me was phenomenal.
These weeks away were some of the best weeks of my life and I would not have been in this position today for two reasons. First, I am willing to take the opportunities presented to me and make full use out of them. I believe we should embrace risk more, as challenges and changes in the status quo is what creates innovation and development. Secondly, I got this phenomenal opportunity because I studied in ATU, Donegal. No one from the likes of Dublin or Cork got to see the things I saw, nor the experiences I felt because of this project. I was elevated mentally in so many aspects because of these experiences, instilling in me qualities and feats that the Darren of years ago, would never believe he would attain or accomplish.
Studying in Donegal has been possibly one of the best choices in my entire life. I’ve matured, grown and developed in the past few years, more so than I could have imagined.
Despite any mistakes I’ve made growing up, I am very proud of the man I am becoming and a lot of it is thanks to the incredible and supportive community of the people in Donegal.
When you surround yourself with great people, you become greater too.
Darren Devlin, 3rd Year ATU Business Student
