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Study Abroad - Ireland

" Why Ireland? "

     I studied abroad with the UF in Galway - Psychology of Intercultural Diversity - a 5 week program at the National University of Ireland - Galway during the summer of 2018. 

 

     But: “Why Ireland?” That was the most common question I received prior to the start of my program. “Why not?”

 

     Ireland was never at the top of my list of places to visit, and it doesn’t seem like a popular choice for study abroad students. However, I knew that my little knowledge of the country would serve to make my study abroad experience that much more meaningful. I was there for the unique cultural experience and not just the photos I could post on social media. I looked forward to the opportunity of learning about a country while immersed in it.

     The process of arriving safely to my housing location was the most terrifying. However, once I overcame that obstacle everything felt easier. I believe we all struggled to manage both exploring the area and actively studying; since the program would only last 5 weeks, there was a lot to do and not enough time. Eventually, I took some time to think and reached a balance that allowed me to manage both. Once I reached this point I felt much more confident in how I was organizing my time and getting the most out of the experience of studying abroad.

     The courses overall were very interesting and relevant to the experience. In Irish Society we learned about several aspects of Irish culture: the role of women throughout history, education, religion, economics, family structure, and more. It was extremely rewarding to take this course while experiencing Irish society firsthand so I could be truly immersed in the subject matter.

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    I had already felt that college life changed me immensely, so I did not expect the same from 5 weeks abroad. The experience succeeded in leaving a deep impact on me, making me eager to find similar new experiences. As a consequence, I will continue to explore various corners of the world not only to learn about others, but also to learn more about myself.

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