Hello! Welcome to the first installment of my blog through which I hope to share the scintillating adventures and cultural collisions I encounter during my study abroad experience in Ireland.
In only three days, I leave the U.S. for my longest stint abroad ever. I am excited for this opportunity as studying abroad for a semester has been one of my goals since before I started college. However, as the time approaches for me to leave, I cannot help but realize the vastness of the unfamiliar that I am about to dive into. There will not be the safety net that I have come to value so much at Rollins, nor the joy of seeing a familiar face at every corner. The food, people and learning method will all be new and different. I will have to cope with cultural disparities and immerse myself in both a new social scene and learning style. It will be interesting to say the least, but it is an exciting prospect to think of all the personal growth I will hopefully see come December.
Although it seems daunting, I refuse to let worrying dull my excitement as I set off to explore the wonders of Ireland. Speaking of which…there is so much to explore! Dublin looks like a wonderful city that combines metropolitan intrigue with a silver lining of culture. As a food and museum enthusiast, I am looking forward to exploring both of these platforms in Dublin’s fair city as well as throughout Ireland. Besides Dublin, I am looking forward to exploring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, which is boasted by many travel magazines and websites to be the most beautiful part of Ireland, and hopefully I will visit Skellig Micheal (a history/Star Wars filming site) at some point during the semester.
By now, I have piled all of my important documents and necessities into a suitcase — or two — and with a steely determination, am ready to brave whatever life may throw my way. I’m excited to blog about all of my experiences while abroad, both good and bad, and eagerly anticipate this opportunity to evolve into a more accomplished, well-rounded global citizen.
See you in Ireland!