My Arrival in "The Home of the Leprechauns"
All summer I had been anxiously awaiting my departure to Ireland on August 15th. Family and friends talked my ear off about the wonders of the country for months. Although I was excited and grateful for the opportunity, I was mostly overwhelmed with fear and nerves. When the day finally rolled around I was in disbelief; the stormy Cork skies would soon replace my Ohio sunshine.
On the afternoon of the 15th, I was greeted by 27 students in my program at Newark Liberty International Airport to embark on our journey to Shannon, Ireland. Upon landing after the 6 hour plane ride, I had never felt so uncomfortable and out of place in my life. While waiting in line for customs, I'd be lying if I said I didn't dream up multiple excuses to go back home to the United States... "Sorry guys, gotta go, sisters getting married!" "See ya, my mom misses me too much!" "Crap, dog died." "Yikes, just found out I can't graduate on time if I stay here!" I was clearly desperate.
I have been in Cork for three weeks now. Although thoughts of returning home race through my mind, I am beginning to find my way in this new and foreign place. It has not been all sunshine and rainbows, literally (IT RAINS EVERYDAY) and figuratively. I have had some of the best nights of my life with people that I have become very close with. My friends and I have learned that we need to lean on each other to make it here. Vent about our homesickness, share our cultural experiences, and of course look like dumb tourists together.
I have only been here a short time; however, every day I learn something new about the Irish culture. For example, I'm catching on to the 'hip' slang here-- it's Cheers not Thank You. I notice many small differences between the American and European lifestyles. Attire, education, food (must adjust to life without peanut butter), party scene, ... the list goes on and on. As I am writing this blog post I am sitting in a hipster cafe downtown, gazing out the window, with coffee and croissant in hand. How European of me. Would I ever be doing this in the States?
The adjustment period has at times been easy. Everyone speaks English, professors are brilliant, and apartment life is luxurious. However, I've made some silly mistakes here... like walking into the men's locker room, oops! As well as almost getting run over a few times crossing the street. But I'm surviving. Some may even say thriving.
I have already traveled to four cities in Ireland: Dublin, Waterford, Cobh and Kinsale. Each city is unique in its own way. Firstly, Dublin is a melting pot full of diversity and a hub of Irish culture, yet slightly sketchy at night. Waterford, a quaint town with great surfing. Cobh, a historical city. The Titanic left Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown) for the U.S. with over 1,000 passengers. Lastly, Kinsale, my favorite, a small fishing town with beautiful hiking trails.
On the afternoon of the 15th, I was greeted by 27 students in my program at Newark Liberty International Airport to embark on our journey to Shannon, Ireland. Upon landing after the 6 hour plane ride, I had never felt so uncomfortable and out of place in my life. While waiting in line for customs, I'd be lying if I said I didn't dream up multiple excuses to go back home to the United States... "Sorry guys, gotta go, sisters getting married!" "See ya, my mom misses me too much!" "Crap, dog died." "Yikes, just found out I can't graduate on time if I stay here!" I was clearly desperate.
I have been in Cork for three weeks now. Although thoughts of returning home race through my mind, I am beginning to find my way in this new and foreign place. It has not been all sunshine and rainbows, literally (IT RAINS EVERYDAY) and figuratively. I have had some of the best nights of my life with people that I have become very close with. My friends and I have learned that we need to lean on each other to make it here. Vent about our homesickness, share our cultural experiences, and of course look like dumb tourists together.
I have only been here a short time; however, every day I learn something new about the Irish culture. For example, I'm catching on to the 'hip' slang here-- it's Cheers not Thank You. I notice many small differences between the American and European lifestyles. Attire, education, food (must adjust to life without peanut butter), party scene, ... the list goes on and on. As I am writing this blog post I am sitting in a hipster cafe downtown, gazing out the window, with coffee and croissant in hand. How European of me. Would I ever be doing this in the States?
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| I wasn't kidding about the hipster cafe thing. |
The adjustment period has at times been easy. Everyone speaks English, professors are brilliant, and apartment life is luxurious. However, I've made some silly mistakes here... like walking into the men's locker room, oops! As well as almost getting run over a few times crossing the street. But I'm surviving. Some may even say thriving.
I have already traveled to four cities in Ireland: Dublin, Waterford, Cobh and Kinsale. Each city is unique in its own way. Firstly, Dublin is a melting pot full of diversity and a hub of Irish culture, yet slightly sketchy at night. Waterford, a quaint town with great surfing. Cobh, a historical city. The Titanic left Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown) for the U.S. with over 1,000 passengers. Lastly, Kinsale, my favorite, a small fishing town with beautiful hiking trails.
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| Waterford, Ireland |
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| Kinsale, Ireland |
Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful. I am enthusiastic about the next three and a half months abroad. Cork feels like a new home more and more every day. I plan to embrace a positive spirit as I take full advantage of this once in a life time opportunity given to me. I will continue to explore the cultures of Europe with an open heart and mind.
~Cassidy~
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