Cheers! Also known as the most popular saying you’ll hear in Ireland.

I have moved in, chosen my courses, and adjusted to the lifestyle over here at Maynooth University.

While this is the smallest university in Ireland, it is four times the size of Rollins College.

As I meet people on campus, I have developed a group of friends who are Erasmus, or study abroad students from other countries in the EU. They are also outside their comfort zone. Since they are not from Ireland, they all bring in perspectives and opinions from their countries. (It also gives me a chance to practice some of my Spanish!)

One of the best opportunities that studying in Europe provides is the ability to inexpensively and efficiently visit other cities and countries. Over a weekend, you can be exposed to new languages, cultures, and places. I will be traveling to Budapest this month over fall break which will give me the chance to see where my great grandmother emigrated from. Previously, I visited the Netherlands and learned about their history, national monuments, and love for cheese. These are experiences that aid me in understanding culture and perceptions in Europe while being unforgettable parts of my study abroad.

Along with traveling, I’ve found my coursework to be fascinating especially since I chose classes I knew would not be offered back at Rollins College. I’m taking Economics of the European Union, taught by a professor who specializes in European trade policy, where we will be investigating the impacts of Brexit outcomes. Another interesting course is History of Irish Emigration which gives me the opportunity to study Irish history and learn how emigration has shaped modern Ireland. My most challenging course is Cryptography, a study into all things encrypted, where I am learning alongside senior computer science students at Maynooth.

I have noticed in my first month some key differences in “Americanisms” and Irish English here. Interestingly enough, we tend to shorten our words and mumble the middle of our sentences. Some common slang here is “gaff” for house and “craic” for fun. It is a lot fun to navigate the English language with Irish, French, German, and Spanish speakers.

That’s all for now, cheers!