{"id":377814,"date":"2024-06-05T18:32:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T18:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/?p=377814"},"modified":"2024-06-05T18:36:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T18:36:53","slug":"study-abroad-shenanigans-letters-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/2024\/06\/05\/study-abroad-shenanigans-letters-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Abroad Shenanigans: Letters Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the College\u2019s founding in the late nineteenth century, students at Rollins have been encouraged to study abroad at numerous destinations including Australia, China, and Ireland, to name just a few locales. Semester abroad programs give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in intercultural learning while pursuing their degree at Rollins. While abroad, students learn how to adjust to new cultures and different social climates, giving participants a holistic educational experience and special memories with new friends and communities. This blog aims to create fictitious letters from the perspective of a student studying abroad in Northern Ireland, 1989, with the help of historical artifacts from Rollins College Archives. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Students would apply for a specific international program by filling out an <\/em>“Intent to Study” form.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 5th, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom & Dad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophomore year has gone so quickly I can\u2019t believe it; maybe the Florida heat helps speed things up! The semester has not been too bad, my English professor was lame but apart from that I\u2019ve done well, final grades will be out after exams. There have been some flyers going around campus about studying abroad. One of the boys from Sigma Phi Epsilon went to Ireland last fall and came back a changed man – that\u2019s what he said. I spoke with my advisor Dr. Levis and he thinks it would be great for my major as there’s a lot of history to study in Dublin. If I was to go I\u2019d only be there for a few months, September to December. Let me know what you guys think. Also, can you send me a few bucks? I’m running a little low. Hope everyone\u2019s doing good, miss you guys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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April 27th, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom & Dad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sent my intent to study application in today. I really hope I get accepted. Thank you both for agreeing to pay for it – it means so much. I know you said you\u2019re worried about all the stuff happening with the IRA, but Dr. Lancaster said we\u2019re going to Dublin which is in the Republic of Ireland, so no need to worry. Will let you know if I get accepted. Glad to hear you\u2019re both doing good and thanks for footing the bill \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n

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Once accepted participants received numerous materials for their upcoming semester including brochures which gave information about their upcoming trip. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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May 7th, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom & Dad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I already picked my preferences for study abroad courses this morning. I still can\u2019t believe I\u2019m going. It feels surreal. They sent me a package today with a program handbook, course forms, class list, a \u201cculturegram\u201d about Ireland, and a consent form which I\u2019ve put in here. I was looking at the fall program and we don\u2019t have to have our courses finalized till the 29th of September so I have time in case I change my mind on what I want to take. I found out Steve got accepted, too, so I\u2019ll have a buddy when I\u2019m there. Mom – do you remember when we got my passport taken? The letter says if it\u2019s out of date I need to get it renewed. I also found out I have to write to the family I\u2019ll be staying with in Ireland. I hope they\u2019re nice, it\u2019d be cool if they had kids my age so they could show me around. Anyway, excited to see you both. I got a job at Miller’s for the summer, the hours are kicking my butt but it\u2019s extra money for Ireland so it\u2019ll help.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trinity College: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Trinity-College-Dublin#\/media\/1\/2243368\/299738<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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June 29th, 1989 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom & Dad, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve looked at the catalog for the books and they seem pretty expensive, but it\u2019s for my history course. Did you manage to read the information brochure? I think Dr. Lancaster sent a memo about it. My host family responded to my letter. They own a bar, \u2018pub\u2019, called Doyle’s so I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll try my first real Guinness! I also found out they have a son, Connell, who\u2019s a year younger than me studying at Trinity College in Dublin, so that\u2019ll help. From the pamphlets I\u2019ve read it seems like the weather\u2019s a lot like Philly, so I was gonna ask if you could bring my clothes (most importantly jackets) when you come here. Excited to see you both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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August 24th, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom & Dad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great seeing you both. I am a little nervous about leaving, but that\u2019s probably because it\u2019s so soon. They haven\u2019t given us our International Student ID yet, but we\u2019ve been told we\u2019ll get them at the airport. I was also given my course schedule today. I\u2019ll be taking International Marketing, Politics of Ireland, History of Art, and Liberation Theology. I know there\u2019s been some things in the news about the IRA, but don\u2019t worry too much. We leave next week, so this will probably be my last letter for a few weeks. You\u2019ve got the address from the last memo, but just in case you\u2019ve lost it I\u2019ve written it at the bottom. Hopefully the next time I write I\u2019ll have tried my first Guinness! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n

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Multiple classes were offered to students including Politics of Ireland and International Marketing. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20th September, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top of the mornin\u2019 to you (the Irish way of saying good morning). Things have been good so far, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are nice. Mrs. Chambers cooks really well; so far I\u2019ve tried leek and potato soup, stew, and soda bread. Mr. Chambers also took me to their pub for my first Guinness. He let me go behind the bar, but got super mad with me because I didn’t tilt the glass. I had no idea that you had to pour it a certain way, it was so dope. This weekend, me and Connell are going to visit Howth, it\u2019s a small village but supposedly has an amazing walk around the cliff. Mr. Chambers is letting Connell drive us in his Cortina, so it should be grand (as Connell says). My first few weeks of classes have been good, the only problem is I can\u2019t understand my Literature Professor’s accent, he’s from Cavan county. Connell said people from Cavan have the thickest Irish accents, so I don’t feel too bad it. Steve also is in the class and he can\u2019t understand him either. Hopefully we\u2019ll make it through the class. The weather has not been too bad, it\u2019s cold but nothing like Philly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The IRA formed in 1919 to unite against the British ruling of Northern Ireland. The group was particularly active from the late 1960s until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which agreed that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. <\/em>[This 1989 article was found online with Newspapers.com<\/a>.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1st October, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I saw what you said in your last letter. I don\u2019t want you guys worrying – The Philadelphia Inquirer is full of shite anyway. I\u2019m in the heart of Dublin and if anything the Irish Republican Army is in Northern Ireland! I met some students from Trinity in the Chambers pub who were talking about it and they said all the IRA want to do is gain freedom from the British! My midterms are in three weeks, I\u2019m not too worried about them, the only class I\u2019m a little nervous about is Liberation Theology as I still can\u2019t understand Dr. McCormack\u2019s lectures. I know we talked about me coming back for thanksgiving but I\u2019m going to stay here. I’m really enjoying it and don\u2019t want to go back for such a short time. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers said that we can have a beef roast instead, so that\u2019ll be nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also a little tight on money now, too – remember to send euros not dollars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here are a few photos taken whilst studying abroad.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13th October, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wanted to send you these photos of around campus. I took them the first week we got there. Look at how tiny everything is! The classrooms are so small you have to shuffle to your seat. The street I\u2019m living on is pretty cramped, but that\u2019s what all the streets are like in Dublin. We also stopped off to take pictures of this really pretty lake when we were driving from the airport the day we landed – it was so green! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grade reports would be sent to the College to keep track of students progress whilst abroad. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

27th October, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I got a B + in my mid-semester. I\u2019m happy about it, I couldn\u2019t have done more. I still can’t understand the guy! The good thing is the textbook is really helpful so I\u2019ve been reading that. Liberation Theology is about the liberation of oppressed people through a Christian perspective, so as you can guess it\u2019s quite biblical. I get what you are both saying about getting a job, I’ll ask Mr. Chambers if he knows someone who could give me a Saturday job. Miss you both,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students could work whilst participating in the Ireland Program – helping to fund their classes, dorm needs, and “shenanigans.” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10th November, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in the last letter I mentioned getting a job and I landed one at Mr. and Mrs. Chambers pub, Doyle\u2019s. I’m a bartender on Friday\u2019s and Saturday\u2019s. I\u2019m getting paid \u00a315 per shift, so far I\u2019ve made \u00a345. I\u2019ve had a little trouble with taking orders as they get really drunk and talk too quickly with an intense accent. Last weekend this guy kept asking for \u2018black stuff,\u2019 and he ended up pointing to the Guinness tap.  Maybe this weekend it\u2019ll be easier as I\u2019ll now know the slang for a Guinness. Steve asked me if he thinks Mr. Chambers could help him with a job. I don\u2019t think he likes his host family too much. Me and Connell are going to Cooney\u2019s this weekend, which he said is a fine spot for us fellas. Anyhow, hope all is well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Multiple excursions were offered to Students, allowing them to see different sites whilst in Ireland. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Aran Islands, Market St. Sligo, Custom House Belfast, and Cave entrance New Grange Co. Louth i.e. Co. Meath<\/em>.
[Images from the National Library of Ireland: https:\/\/www.nli.ie\/<\/a>.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

24th November, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t know why you guys are upset about me getting my new job and living my life. I’m meeting locals, getting to know people and having a great time – this is what studying abroad is about!!! And you guys forget that the drinking age over here is 18 so I\u2019m not doing anything illegal. Cooney\u2019s was cracking, they keep playing U2 songs everywhere we go. My favorite is “With or Without You.” It’s cracking! I wanted to let you know that I went on an overnight trip to the Aran Islands. The Islands are just off Galway and Doolin. It was a really interesting place. They have their own type of dialect called Connemara Irish (I couldn\u2019t tell the difference). Because the three islands are so isolated they basically survived on their own. When we arrived we had a picnic at D\u00fan Aonghasa, it was pretty neat. In the afternoon we saw the Inishmore Seal Colony; it was cool but they didn\u2019t do much. Apart from that not much else to report, I can’t believe it\u2019s almost over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parents were warned that their son or daughter might experience study abroad blues once retuning back to the United States. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

15th December, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t want to leave. I feel like I\u2019ve found the place that makes me the happiest. Ireland is so different from America. I\u2019ve done well in all my classes. I\u2019ve had a great job, made so many friends, and I\u2019ve even met a girl called Orla. She\u2019s been working at the bar with me and I\u2019ve told her that I\u2019ll stay till after Christmas to be with her. I know you won\u2019t be happy about this, but it\u2019s my life. I\u2019m an adult and this is the best decision for me. I\u2019ve spent my entire semester away and I\u2019ve had to make a new life here, I\u2019m not ready to leave just yet. I\u2019ll need you to speak with Mrs. Edge about letting me stay behind but Mr. and Mrs. Chambers already said I can. Will let you know if anything changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love, Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20th December, 1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma & Da,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Me and Orla broke up. I\u2019ve booked a flight to come back and it lands on Christmas eve at 8pm, Terminal A. Please pick me up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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ENDNOTES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIntent to study in cooperative program.\u201d Foreign Study: Ireland, 1989, Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDublin Ireland.\u201d Foreign Study: Ireland, Records from 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990s. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMemorandum: Ireland-bound students.” Aug 24 1989, Foreign Study: Ireland, 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIrish Studies Programme 1989.” Sept. 8 1989, Foreign Study: Ireland – 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExplosion kills 10 at marine base in England; IRA bomb suspected,\u201d The Philadelphia Inquirer <\/em>(Philadelphia, PA) Sept. 23, 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPhotos of 1985 students.\u201d Dublin guides & info. Foreign Study: Ireland – 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIrish studies programme marksheet 1989.\u201d Foreign Study: Ireland – 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFacts and Figures: Work in Ireland.\u201d Dublin guides & info. Foreign Study: Ireland – 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOffered trips.\u201d Foreign Study: Ireland, Records from 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990s. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMemorandum: participants in the 1989 fall term in Dublin.\u201d Foreign Study: Ireland – 1989. Archives and Special Collections, Olin Library, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From the College\u2019s founding in the late nineteenth century, students at Rollins have been encouraged to study abroad at numerous destinations including Australia, China, and Ireland, to name just a few locales. Semester abroad programs give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in intercultural learning while pursuing their degree at Rollins. While abroad, students learn…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":378411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-377814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","wpcat-1-id"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377814"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":378415,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377814\/revisions\/378415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/378411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.rollins.edu\/libraryarchives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}