To wrap up this amazing experience of a lifetime, the group went on two field trips for the last two weekends. The first weekend we went to Northern Ireland. While on our way to Northern Ireland we planned out quite a bit of stops. My favorite stop was the Folk Park. At the Folk Park one could experience the life of Europeans before traveling to the new world in America. Around this park there were many different houses with different trades that any person could know how to do. One of the ones that hit close to home was the blacksmith trade. Another really neat thing that was done on the Northern Ireland Trip was being able to take the Black Taxi Tour. During this tour, we had a taxi cab driver drive us around to tell us all about the history and the current events going on in Northern Ireland. Being able to hear the history in history class as well as being able to see it first-hand really put the whole situation into perspective. This was one of my favorite, but yet, terrifying field trips. I loved seeing the history and how it still plays a huge part in the culture today, but, knowing that at the drop of a needle, the calm city could have a crazy amount of chaos.

The last field trip we went on was in Dingle. Dingle is a small town close to the most western part of Europe. While in Dingle we were able to go to the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle. The Cliffs of Moher were awesome and the weather was perfect, however, I really enjoyed Dun Angus. Blarney Castle was one of my favorite stops throughout the entire study abroad experience. It was my favorite because of the gardens that were surrounding the castle. It also helped that the weather was once again spectacular. Being able to just take my time and enjoy the gardens was my favorite part.

Over all, I am really content with how this study abroad experience went and impacted my life. Being able to be with my friends as well as experience it all with them, turned them into my family and helped make this trip go a lot better.  

Building bridges. What does that mean to you? To me, building bridges is one of the most important life skill everyone needs to have. Building bridges in this form doesn’t mean to build an actual bridge, it means to connect with whomever, or whatever is on the other side of you. This kind of sounds like a service project, but it’s different because you aren’t servicing others. You are putting in your skills with their skills. Working together to connect in the community as well as personally. While in Ireland, we were required to do this for our semester.

While in Ireland this semester, a few of my classmates and myself built our bridge with the daycare. This daycare is just a short 20 minute walk up from the Park Lodge Hotel. When we first walked there, it was strange, we were able to walk right up to the daycare as well as just walk inside. We all paused and questioned if we should be doing that because in America, you would have already talked to someone about being in the building. After walking in, we were able to sit and talk with Ashley and Jane Marie about who we were, what we were there for, and all about the study abroad program. They also both talked about the daycare and what kind of kids they watch over. The age group was quite the range, from 5 years of age to 10 years of age.

We worked with the kids March 28^th and 29^th during one of their camps. During the camp, we got to do a few projects, connect with the kids, as well as bond with some of the staff members. The projects we did revolved around Easter and even St. Patty’s Day. For the most part, they all liked the project. A few of the older kids didn’t like them as much because of the fact they were almost too old for that type of project. That is something I would make note to change if I could go back and change it. I didn’t realize that the project would be so boring for the older kids. 

After what seemed to be one of the longest bus rides in my life, we finally made it to West Port. West Port is a small little town in Country Mayo. This town has been one of the cutest towns I have seen while here in Ireland. Before we got to actually take time out to explore this cute little town, we climbed a mountain.

While on our way to the mountain, we made a pit stop along the road to look at the mountain we would be climbing. Many people said “holy cow, that’s so high up!” but I thought, there is no way that people actually climb that, and there must be another top that everyone is looking at.  To my disbelief, the highest point that I thought no one would reach, was the top we were all aiming for.

Miranda and I walked up the mountain together. The first 5 minutes of the hike, we thought, ‘Oh no, we can’t do this.’ But we didn’t stop, we knew we could make it, so we trucked along. What we thought was half way through, was only an eighth of the way through. Not long after, we started to make little markers for rest for ourselves. These markers made the hike go by a little quicker. Before we knew it, we had made it half way. The view at half way was spectacular. I honestly couldn’t believe that it could get any better.

As we rounded the corner, there popped the rest of the hike. It was almost a straight up and down shot. At this point, Miranda decided it was too much for her body. I managed to make it the rest of the way. It was an unbelievable sight.

To me this hike was an accomplishment, it gave me the confidence to know that I can do anything I set my mind too. To other people, this hike is also a pilgrimage. Many people find themselves on this hike. I personally found a way to light my confidence a little more.

While being in Ireland, I haven’t had a whole lot of language troubles, or barriers, if you will. Most of the time, the barrier for me, is the thick, heavy accent that comes with 98% of Irish. Occasionally, you will meet an Irish person that doesn’t have a thick accent. I suggest talking and getting to know them until you feel comfortable talking with other Irish that have a thicker accent. Up until recently, I felt as if I was the only one who wasn’t quite understanding what everyone was saying because of the accent. I wasn’t, and you probably won’t be either. But, even if you are-take your time, at your own pace to fully understand the language. It makes the trip a little easier.

Even though the English Language is spoken more often than not, Irish is still the first language. Usually if you hear anyone talking in Irish, it’s to themselves, or someone doing some sort of customer service for one another. But not very often to you find someone who speaks strictly Irish.

In Ireland it’s kind of crazy because their first language, Irish, is almost like a second language. the signs you see every day have both English and Irish on them. If they don’t they are usually in English. Occasionally you will see a sigh that is strictly Irish, This is because the Irish are trying get more and more people to bring back the Irish language.

If you would like to travel outside of Ireland, I would suggest you brush up on a little of the language of the place you are going. Just a few small things, for example, bathroom, free, water, food, directions, or what is this? One of my personal favorites is “Do you speak English?” This is a question I found myself asking more than once. These questions helped me tremendously. Even in and out of Ireland.

Just remember, if you need them to slow down and repeat themselves, just ask. The Irish are really truly the best people to learn their language from as well as comprehend their language because they are so wonderfully understanding and helpful.

While back at the States, I had my friend group. My friends that I would tell my life to, my friends I would occasionally get coffee with. Making friends seemed easy to me. As I made these friends, I would sometimes keep in contact with them but mostly, I would just talk to them when I would see them. Coming to Ireland was different because I was with a group of people I had never seen before. It’s crazy to think about because we all come from the same small college, some of us even in the same grade. Getting to know each other was quite simple and we all clicked very well. Of course, keeping in touch wasn’t a problem because we are all we have.

The group that I came with aren’t my only friends. The easiest way to get to know locals and meet new people is by enjoying the night life. Even if you don’t drink, go out. There are so many different types of people out and about. When you talk to people, they genuinely want to talk to you and get to know you. They don’t talk to you because they want something from or out of you, they talk to you because they like to have conversation. That’s the best part about being here.

Chances are, if you met someone in Galway or Spiddal, you will run into them again. In Spiddal, at one of the pubs we go eat at all the time, the bartender knows my usual and just double checks with me before he puts in my order. Even when you meet people outside of Galway or Spiddal, you will connect with them in ways you couldn’t imagine. While out in Galway one evening, I picked a girl out, who was wearing a Guns ‘N Roses t-shirt, to start a conversation with. As we got to talking, we opened up about our personal lives and had a lot more in common than one would expect.

I personally feel like my social life has expanded and my view of people has changed. I would talk to people but sometimes keep in touch and now I try to keep in touch will all of them. Seeing them out during the day or at night is always exciting because you feel like you belong. You aren’t an American who is a tourist. You are an American with connections in the Irish world. 

Five weeks ago, the accent the Irish people have was a challenge to understand. Most of the time I could get the gist of what they were saying, but I would miss bits and pieces. More than once did I find myself asking them to repeat what they had just said-both in and out of school. This made school a challenge for me. Trying to understand what they were saying, as well as trying to understand the material they were giving me made it harder than I expected it to be. Finally though, I have been able to get a better grip on what is being said. It helps to get out and talk to the locals. They are so understanding and willing to repeat what they had said enough times for you to understand what was being said.

The classes themselves aren’t too hard. It’s a lot of reading and participating in class. Most of the time in the States I would skim the material and just pay attention in class and got by just fine. That doesn’t fly here. You have to actually read the material and understand the material enough to have a conversation in depth. That has been the hardest part about school. School isn’t all terrible though. We have gone on multiple field trips and it really helps tie in what you are learning. It also helps you to remember and make those connections.

The length of classes is something else that takes getting used to. If you think a 75 minutes class is too long, try a four hour class! My classes are for four hours a day. We get two, sometimes three, breaks. Our cottages are right next to the school so when you get a 10 minute break you can easily get a snack, some coffee, or just stretch your legs. But don’t be fooled, a ten minute break will go a lot quicker than you think. It also helps that classes don’t start until 10 am. If it started any sooner, I would for sure fall asleep!

The class room is the first picture you see, the second is a picture of the lounge that we all do our homework in. We don’t have assigned seats or the imaginary assigned seats that are in each class back home. With us all being so close, no one get secretly offended when someone sits in their seat.

The classes have taught me more about myself as a student than I was expecting it to. I have learned a lot about the Irish language, history, and literature as well. Being more cognizant of myself as a student, as well as this knowledge is something I am thrilled to be able to go home and share with others.

It didn’t take long for me to realize a few differences in the culture overseas in comparison to the culture in America. One of the first things I noticed was the welcoming arms that I have received from everyone. Whether it be in the little town of Spiddal or the big city of Dublin. Anyone you look to is more than willing to help you out or just give you a friendly smile. People aren’t hungry for your service. If they don’t have what you want, they will direct you to where you need to go to in order to get what you want. They also are beyond happy to make certain accommodations for you. Once in Spiddal, a group of us were eating pancakes and they ran out of pancake mix, so instead getting something else, they ran next door to get what they needed for the pancakes. The service is also different because they check on you once, maybe twice after they greet you. That’s all it takes here. People aren’t needy or demanding. Once you’ve been greeted, you have to ask for water if that’s your drink of choice. It isn’t the assumed drink if you don’t order one. There’s also a chance you will be charged for the water they bring out to you. Most of the restaurants, however, are not made for parties with more than four people. If you do have more than four people, the bill is put into one, automatically. No matter how big the party or how great the service, tipping is not a thing here. Tips are not are expected and not accepted unless there is a tip jar out.

                Not only is the restaurant service different, the fast food service is as well. You don’t get your burger from Super Mac’s (a better McDonald’s) in 1 minute like you do at McDonald’s. You wait a good 5-7 minutes for a burger and chips (fries). The food isn’t covered in grease and you are happy with what you paid for. The pop is a little rough getting used to. I usually stick to water, but the few times I have had pop, it had less sugar and tasted a little off. Finding a fast food restaurant takes a lot more effort than it does in America. They are findable and accessible, they just aren’t as prominent.

                The attire is so much more put together and cleaner than what you see in America. If you were to go out anytime of the day back home, you would find multiple people who looked like they, literally, just rolled out of bed. I, am one who is definitely guilty for that, more than I’d like to admit. But, being here, it just doesn’t happen. You can tell everyone puts their life together before they leave their house. I was worried that would be a challenge for me every day, but it has been a lot easier to put myself together before starting my day than I thought it would be.

                As well as having their life put together, many people don’t have big brick cellphones. Most everyone I have met has had a phone, some only connect to Wi-Fi and don’t have their own internet, but it’s usually on a smaller phone. I would compare it to an IPhone 4.

                Life is much simpler, happy-go-lucky, and not so on-the-go. I really plan on taking that back with me to America because I have enjoyed so much more in life, realizing there is more to our everyday, go, go, go lives. Life doesn’t need to be complex.