Three countries, two degrees, and a Stateside scholarship for ‘lucky’ UL graduate Patrick

If someone had told University of Limerick student Patrick Roche that he would be ending his four years at UL with two degrees and a major scholarship, having studied and worked in three different countries, he wouldn’t have believed you.

Patrick said it “didn’t feel real” as he graduated with a BA in International Business (BAIB) from Kemmy Business School, joining more than 3,000 students being conferred as part of UL’s autumn graduation ceremonies.

There was plenty to celebrate for Patrick, a dual degree graduate who also spent two semesters studying in Warsaw’s Kozminski University, earning his second undergraduate degree – a BSc in Finance and Accounting. Additionally, Patrick has been named as the recipient of this year’s Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship and will soon set off to the States to begin his postgraduate studies at the renowned Fairfield University in Connecticut.

For the Kerry native, from a dairy farm in Castleisland, UL was always the first choice. Having visited the Castletroy campus for various sporting events and school tours growing up, he was immediately taken by the University’s beautiful surrounds and top-class facilities. With a natural interest in business, maths, and economics at school, once he began researching the offerings at Kemmy Business School, studying at UL was, in his words, “a no-brainer”.

“Once I learned about KBS’s triple accreditation – it being in the top 1% globally – I think it was a no-brainer at that point. I felt it wasn’t a place you just visit – it was a place where you would end up,” he explained.

The wide range of subjects and specialisation choices were crucial when deciding to study the BAIB, while the dual degree option – whereby students spend a portion of their studies at a partner university, earning a second degree from that institution – was another major draw for the Kerryman.

“That really sparked my interest as it sounded too good to be true!” recalled Patrick.

“It presented an opportunity that I feel like you don’t get too often – I felt like I had to take advantage of it. I really wanted to challenge myself and capitalise on everything UL had to offer.”

For Patrick, one of the highlights of the dual degree was the opportunity to specialise in a different discipline. By second year, he says, he knew he enjoyed the more technical modules, so he embraced the chance to focus purely on finance and accounting for his second degree.

When it came to choosing a partner university, as the top ranked business school in Central and Eastern Europe, Kozminski University in Warsaw, Poland had it all. Firstly, Patrick was keen to immerse himself in a major city with one of the fastest growing economies in Europe; additionally, being a Kozminski student gave him the opportunity to take up yet another study exchange – this time, at the prestigious EDHEC Business School in Nice, France.

“It was really interesting, moving to a country where you have no network or prior knowledge of the language, and building from the ground up. I really enjoyed it, and it’s something I learned a lot from – it really built up my confidence,” he said of the experience.

And it wasn’t Patrick’s first time touching down on French soil as part of his UL journey, with core memories made during his co-operative placement with Globesailor, a yachting agency in Paris.

“Selling yacht charters in Paris was definitely not on my mind going into college, but it was such an amazing experience. I developed so many skills – personal as well as professional – working in a sales environment,” he said.

“Living in Paris when you’re 21 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and, looking back, it’s definitely one of the highlights of the whole degree.”

Another – and, it seems, unexpected – highlight, was being awarded the Conlisk Scholarship for 2026. As a recipient of the UL Presidential Letter for Academic Excellence four times in recognition of maintaining First Class Honours across all semesters attended at UL, Patrick’s strong work ethic and dedication to his studies was never in doubt.

"My grandparents always drilled it into me: get to the top of the class early and stay there, because it's a lot harder to climb back up than it is to hold your ground. That advice has stuck with me ever since, and I'd say it's behind most of what I've achieved,” he recalled.

He admitted, however, that he couldn’t believe his eyes when he found out he had been selected for the Conlisk.

“I got the email while I was in class; it was a surreal experience – I feel like I had to read it three or four times to make sure I wasn’t being had!” he recalled.

“It’s an amazing opportunity, and it really plays into my philosophy throughout college: applying for anything that comes up and taking advantage of all that UL offers – and it was another case of just that.”

The scholarship will see Patrick moving Stateside for the exciting next chapter of his life and education, as he prepares to begin a Masters in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics at Fairfield University, specialising in quantitative finance.

Explaining his next move, Patrick said: “Looking at the industry, it’s moving so fast and is becoming more technical than ever; I really want to stay on top of it and give myself the best chance possible. So, I feel like doing this kind of technical STEM degree really gives me the upper hand.

“As it’s STEM, you get a three-year visa going over; so, the plan is to go into it head-on, push through it, try to take advantage of every opportunity, and give it my best go.”

While Patrick would ideally like to remain working in alternative asset management, he admitted he is taking an “open book” approach to the future and life beyond his postgrad studies.

As he closes the chapter on his time at UL, Patrick reflected on what has truly been a life-changing experience.

“When I was 18, I don’t think I ever would have imagined that I would be graduating with two different degrees, having worked and studied in three different countries. I don’t know of many courses in Ireland that would have found a way to make that work, and UL did,” he said.

“It doesn’t feel real, looking back – having all the experiences I’ve had. I feel so lucky, and UL has really been the source of everything.”