CHERRIES star Gemma McGuinness says she tries to bring things she learned whilst living in Vietnam into her life in England, reflecting on the spell as an “incredible experience”.

Born on the coast in County Donegal, the Irish ace is about to enter her second season with Cherries, following a successful time at Galway United.

Shortly after earning her one and only international cap with Northern Ireland in 2019, McGuinness left Europe and spent two years living in Vietnam, working as a teacher.

McGuinness, 28, now works as a nutritionist in Bournemouth, and says she did not only teach lessons in Asia, but also learned many herself.

She told the Daily Echo: “I’d finished my Masters and I just wanted to go and experience the world I suppose, get as much travelling done as possible.

“I went over on my own. I knew one person over there at the time, but headed over on my own and got a job over there.

“I was teaching maths and science in a secondary school. That’s another story how that came about!

“But it was an incredible experience for me, just to see a different culture, a different way of life and the appreciation they had for lots of different elements of life that I suppose can be taken for granted here in the western world.

“So for me it was good from all aspects of life and I bring that back into the lifestyle that I live now as much as possible and try to remind myself of those moments and lessons learned.”

(Image: Richard Crease)

Asked how life in Bournemouth compares, McGuinness added: “It’s nice. I’m living by the sea. I grew up living by the sea, so it’s a nice aspect, the reflection of home is there.

“I think that helps, even just getting up and out for the walks in the morning.

“I’ve settled in well. I’m living with one of the girls in the team as well, Dani (Kosinska), my housemate.

“So it’s been fantastic. It’s a great location and good people.”

McGuinness scored 15 league goals in 25 appearances in her first campaign at Cherries.

She was snapped up after a brief spell at Keynsham Town, where she impressed Steve Cuss in a game against his side.

“I was enjoying my time at Galway and then the season came to an end and I had previously played over in the UK and had conversations with the club,” explained McGuinness.

“It was something I was really interested in. I wanted to move to the UK and this came about.

“It was an exciting opportunity. For me, it was hearing the club’s goals and ambitions. That’s what really took my interest and since making the move, it’s gone from strength to strength.

“I’m lucky enough to have a great group of girls around, the squad, the management staff and everyone backing us 100 per cent and getting the support from the club.”

She added: “I want to play at the highest level possible, with the lifestyle I live. I focus on the process and just doing the things from a day-to-day point of view.

“I will see where that takes me.”

Looking to achieve promotion this season into the Southern Premier Division, Cherries host Ipswich Town in a friendly at Ringwood Town this Sunday (3pm).