To celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), we are shining a light on some of the amazing women who help shape National College of Ireland. Find out what IWD means to them.
Joana Rebola, International Coordinator at NCI
International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2025
Shining a light on the women of NCI.
My name is Joana Rebola, and I am International Coordinator at NCI, so my role focuses on ensuring that international students feel welcomed and supported on their student journey. I have worked at NCI for about four and a half years.
I am responsible for the International Pre-Arrival and our Welcome Programme, our Peer Mentor programme and international student experience.
Career pathways and aspirations
I studied English and German in Portugal, where I’m originally from—though I must admit, I can only really speak one of these languages now!
I also hold a Master’s in English Studies. Since then, I have still been involved in education in one way or another, from teaching to supporting students in different capacities. I am currently pursuing a part-time Bachelor's degree in Psychology at NCI, and it has been such an inspiring journey. I hope to find ways to apply what I’m learning to my work with students, whether in support or other educational areas.
International Women’s Day
As someone who works with students, I see the importance of empowering women through knowledge, opportunities, and a supportive community. To me, it is a day to reflect, appreciate, and continue pushing for a more inclusive and fair future for everyone.
Empowering women
Over the years, I’ve always been fortunate to work in environments where women play key roles. Of course, there are still challenges that many women face, from balancing responsibilities to breaking certain barriers. I’ve also been lucky to work with and learn from incredible women, including our International Officer, Sheila Mahon, who has had such a strong impact in empowering, inspiring, and uplifting everyone around her.