Did Arnold Schwarzenegger go to college? Actor receives honorary degree from north Ireland university

Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to Belfast recently to receive an honorary degree from Ulster University. The Hollywood superstar and former governor of California made headlines with the visit. As per a report shared by The Irish Times, Schwarzenegger, who is seventy-eight years old now, had first visited Belfast 60 years ago as a bodybuilding champion.

Large crowds gathered at the entrance of the glass-fronted building in the city centre before his noon arrival. A staff member even made a comment about the security arrangements.

"There's more security here than there was for Prince William," the staff member shared.

Schwarzenegger earned a college degree from the University of Wisconsin, as per his National Governors Association profile, and became a U.S. citizen in 1983. As per the report shared by California Community Colleges, Santa Monica College played a crucial role in Schwarzenegger's journey to becoming the Terminator and the 38th governor of California.

The Austrian native and world champion bodybuilder moved to the United States at age 21 in 1968, where he trained at Gold's Gym in Venice. Speaking little English at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger began taking English as a Second Language classes at nearby Santa Monica College in the early 1970s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger credited the Belfast crowd with helping him find his public speaking voice:

As per a report shared by BBC, Ulster University said the doctorate recognizes Arnold Schwarzenegger's contributions to public service, environmental advocacy, and the arts.

Schwarzenegger told the event that his first visit to Belfast in 1966 was a breakthrough moment, as it was the first time he was invited to speak in public. However, the Jingle All the Way film star could not speak English at the time. He said he nearly fainted when he was asked to address the crowd at the bodybuilding competition.

Schwarzenegger managed to mutter a few words with the help of his host and was then thrilled when the crowd gave him a standing ovation for his efforts.

"What happened that day in Belfast was so important to me because every single time afterwards when I won a competition I went to the microphone," Schwarzenegger recalled.

He shared how his public speaking improved over time.

"Each time I said more and more and more, and eventually they couldn't shut me up, I love talking so much in public," he said.

Ulster University students called Arnold Schwarzenegger's campus visit "crazy":

Schwarzenegger visited Northern Ireland for the first time in 1966 after receiving an invitation from a local bodybuilding judge. The unknown athlete arrived with no money and stayed at the judge's house in Dundonald, where he was given an Ulster fry.

Arnold Schwarzenegger joked that he was tricked into coming back to Belfast during a video call with UU's chancellor and vice-chancellor several months ago. The university representatives asked him if he still believed in free speech, and he said.

"Of course I do," Schwarzenegger replied.

His hosts then told him he would be giving a speech on March 30 in Belfast.

"So I was tricked, I couldn't get out of it anymore," Schwarzenegger laughed.

The Twins star met students and athletes during the reception at UU's campus in Belfast city centre. Some students were surprised to see Arnold Schwarzenegger at their university, with Niamh sharing that she couldn't believe he was there, of all places. Her friend Sinead said it was kind of random but kind of crazy.

Eoin Heaney, who studies film at UU, said Schwarzenegger's visit would do wonders for his course and the university. Heaney talked about watching Terminator 2 about a decade ago.

"I remember I saw Terminator 2 about a decade ago and I couldn't get over it, it was simply sublime. It was one of those first real big movies I saw because I was most acquainted with Marvel at the time and it just completely blew my mind. I would say it's my favourite movie of his," said Heaney.

The audience at the event reacted with surprise and excitement at Arnold Schwarzenegger's visit:

Sandra Weir from Mallusk, Co Antrim, attended the ceremony. As per the report shared by The Irish Times, the 81-year-old remembered when Schwarzenegger lifted her and a colleague off the ground during his first Belfast visit in 1966. They were posing for a photograph at the time.

"I was one of the Tele (Belfast Telegraph) girls working in advertising. We came outside and thought he was trying to chat us up," Weir said.

She explained they had no idea about his weightlifting background.

"We didn't know he was a weightlifter and he just scooped us up," she added.

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Weir's son Harry, shared that the family heard about that photo quite often over the years. Ciarán Connolly, a dancer from New Zealand, took part in the ceremony performance. He said seeing someone like Schwarzenegger get recognized by a university in Belfast seemed a bit strange at first.

"It was cool to be involved in it. Now that I know the story of his connection to here, it makes sense," Connolly said.

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