It’s only been two weeks and yet it feels like I have been in Ireland for months. My first day in Ireland was rough. When I landed I had to figure out how to make it from Dublin to Maynooth. I managed to find the bus, however the wheels on my suitcase were not very smooth. It was a long walk to the bus. Once we got to Maynooth it was an even farther walk to the campus and the wheels on my suitcase completely broke. Not to mention it was raining. Once I checked in I just wanted to lay down and sleep but I needed to buy some things for my room like TOILET PAPER. So at first I was a little overwhelmed trying to find my way around in such a short time. After I found the stores and bought what I needed I found a rhythm and all was well with the world. The next day I met my roommates and was very pleased. The last couple weeks we having been going out and planning trips into Dublin. Last Friday we went into Dublin for Cultural Heritage Day and toured the Long Room at Trinity College and the Irish Whiskey Museum. Tomorrow we are going to North Ireland on a tour to Giants Causeway. Next week we are going to the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
My classes are also very exciting. They are all about Ireland, mostly the cultural heritage of Ireland. One of my classes is on the geomorphology of Ireland. Of course there are some things that will take time getting use to. For instance their grading system is different and it is very unlike to get anything higher than an 80%. There are also very few assignments in my classes. But on a more exciting note, four of my classes involve field trips to cultural heritage sites in Ireland.
It already feels like I have been in Ireland for months. I have found a rhythm and have gotten into habits of grocery shopping, going out, planning trips on the weekends. I have already found friendships. I am already having such an enjoyable time and there are still 3 more months left.