As an Irish-American, Ireland always captivated me. Since I was a young girl and my grandfather used to tell me about his mother's journey across the Atlantic Ocean to America, I was completely and utterly fascinated with my  "home country" and the people, food, culture, and traditions. By the age of 12, I had convinced myself that it was realistic to think that when I graduated high school I would take a trip to Ireland and explore the place of my ancestors. It was only when I looked at the price tags of various college educations that I determined that was not very practical! However, I eventually made my way to the study abroad office Fall of my Freshman year to make it happen! 

 

When I finally saved enough to commit to doing the program, and I signed on the dotted line, I was excited- so utterly excited! It was only until a few days leading up to my journey into the great unknown that I was struck with fear. What if I didn't like the place I had yearned to go to my whole life? What if it was not everything I had dreamed it up to be? Would I be disappointed? 

 

Looking back, I am amused by these thoughts because Ireland was everything I had dreamed it to be and more! Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I made in college... if I could go back to relive Summer 2017 over and over again I would. I think for me, being in Ireland was more than just an exotic semester in the great unknown, for me it was almost a spiritual experience...I felt as if I was back where I belonged. 

 

5 Things I Learned Abroad

1. Live life to the fullest.

   1. Take that weekend trip you probably shouldn't because you have a paper due! Spend late nights with friends! Spend way too much money on the experience of a lifetime. Memories are worth way more than the coins or paper bills in your wallet.

2. Time is precious-do not waste it!

   1. At least once a week after work I would hop on the DART (Dublin Regional Train Line) and get off at a random stop to explore. For me, this is one of the things I miss most about living in Dublin because in a matter of 10 minutes I could be out of the hustle and bustle of a beautiful and lively city and into the serene and peaceful nature of the countryside.

3. Unexpected meetings can turn into great friendships.

   1. One of my ventures on the DART to a town called Malahide resulted in a beautiful friendship with people I call friends to this day! One of my roommates and I had adventured our way to St. Patrick's College Campus where we asked a woman to take our picture. As we got talking about why we were in Ireland, etc. she offered us a room at her cottage if we were ever in Belfast! Low and behold we ended up in Belfast as part of our program and had the joyous opportunity to meet her children and husband and tour the city with locals!

4. Try not to view things as "weird" but instead as "different."

   1. I think this one of the things people have a difficult time with when they are abroad. Though Irish culture is relatively similar to American culture there are differences that make your head spin! There is no "right" or "wrong" only different and each culture has its unique customs.

5. Take risks and be adventurous!

   1. Had anyone told me I would hop on a train by myself, without data I might add, to visit the town my family was from I would have said they were insane! I experienced my first solo trip in Ireland, stayed in my first Airbnb, tasted my first drink, and went sea kayaking for the first time in the middle of a storm. Ireland was where I learned to spread my wings and I could not be more grateful for my experience and time there!