Maynooth University was a very beneficial experience for me, especially educationally…I was completely unprepared for the educational environment I was confronted with. The Irish higher educational environment differs greatly from the educational atmosphere in the states. Class material is not “organized” in the same way as in the US. For example, a typical American format…
Category: Ireland: Maynooth Univ
Maynooth, Ireland
Overall I experienced many cultural similarities and differences during my time in Ireland. Since it is an English-speaking country, I had no struggles navigating Maynooth or my campus. Being able to communicate with everyone in Ireland allowed me to ask a lot of questions when I needed help and helped me meet a lot of…
Final Blog Post : Maynooth University
There weren’t many major differences between the culture in Ireland and in the U.S. While talking to people my age I found that it was probably because they grew up consuming a lot of American culture and that is why some of the things tended to be similar to ways that I was brought up….
Final Blog Post
In Ireland, restaurant culture is different from how it is in the United States. First of all, if you want to sit down somewhere for dinner, more often than not you have to call ahead and make a reservation. With no reservation, they won’t give you a wait time or put you on a list,…
Blog Post #2: Cultural Confrontation in Ireland
As I’m approaching the halfway mark of my time studying abroad, I think constantly about how incredible this opportunity is and how grateful I am to be here and be able to experience a culture different from my own. This exposure to a new culture has come with a few bumps in the road and…
Blog Post #1
Since its origin, The United States has been known for the value it holds in independence. The importance placed upon operating and acting independently as a country has trickled down into the independence of each individual separate from the others around them. This sense of individualism is one that is key to this country’s culture…
Pre-Departure
Before one can fully immerse themselves in another country’s culture I find that you need to know and analyze what is prevalent in your own country’s culture. In the United States we cherish this idea of individualism, where people are expected to be independent and self-reliant. This contributes to the push towards individualistic success that…
Maynooth University Fall 2021
Wrapping up my semester in Ireland, I have some reflections to share…. Briefly describe an experience where you were confused by or had to adapt to an aspect of your host culture? When I first arrived in Ireland, I got from the airport to my apartment using a coach bus. Ireland has a great program…
Back home from Ireland
The most important lesson I learned abroad was to be open to change. Not only was I living in a new place with new faces adapting to cold weather and shopping isles without mac and cheese and ranch dressing, but I had to be open to the possibility of returning home due to COVID-19. It…