What made you choose your study abroad program?
I wanted to study abroad in Dublin as I had gone with my family for a vacation and I loved the city. Also, having spent most summers in England visiting my family there, I wanted to be close to them so I had a support system while also being far enough to have my own independence. I also wanted to go to an academically focused program at a highly accredited university.
What was your favorite course and why?
My favorite course was Medieval Irish History. I learned a lot about a history that I did not know and is not really taught in America. It was also interesting to hear about Ireland before English colonization.
What was your favorite local food or drink?
I loved Guinness (it truly is different from the U.S.).
What was the most important thing that you learned?
How to travel safely either alone or with a group of people. Especially in a city that you do not know.
How did you interact with the local community and culture?
In my program I was actually taking Trinity classes, they weren’t classes only for study abroad students. So I was working on projects with Irish students. Also, as silly as it sounds, going to the local pub, even for a quick bite to eat, we were almost always asked about life in America because they would overhear our accents. The people I interacted with truly were the nicest.
What tips do you have for students interested in going abroad?
It may be scary going to a program outside of Lafayette, but it is worth it. I was the only student from Lafayette in my program, however, the other IFSA people I met were truly the nicest and are some of my closest friends now and we still keep in touch (almost every day). So while being the only Laf person seems daunting, there is a built-in support system with you there going with other students in the affiliated program.
How did you grow as an individual while studying abroad?
I learned to become independent and branch out. I was nervous about being the only person from Lafayette in my program, but putting myself out there allowed me to make the friends I did.
What is your most cherished memory of your abroad experience?
Meeting my group of friends and walking around Dublin for the first time. That walk around Dublin, getting Boba Tea was what solidified our friendship there.
