Last week, I attended my Engineering Physics lecture for the first time. I was early for class compared to the Irish students, and I sat right in the middle of the huge yet crammed lecture hall. My row filled up on either side of me, and I tried to predict how challenging the class would be as I listened. At the end of the hour, our professor put on his coat and bid us goodbye until Friday.... No one in the class moved. I looked around and waited for a few minutes, but still no student seemed to have an intention of leaving. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that everyone in the lecture had another engineering lecture immediately after in this same room. EXCEPT FOR ME. My next lecture started in less than five minutes across campus. I climbed over ten annoyed, cursing Irish boys, literally stepped on some toes, and tripped on the last step as I made my ever-so-graceful exit.
I have experienced several similar mishaps over the past week. I asked NUIG's Habitat for Humanity group if I needed a car to drive to the volunteer sites. In response, I received blank stares and a short answer "...we're volunteering in Africa." OH. I think a sense of humor is essential for this experience. I have learned a great deal in the past two weeks. For example, I sit on the end seat in my lectures when I want to make a quick escape, and I've witnessed too many inside-out umbrellas to assume they protect you from Galway rain and wind.
Out of pure curiosity, I have joined the Ocean & Earth Society, Mountaineering Club, and Kayaking Club. I'll keep you updated on the kayaking... I'm not much for mountain climbing, but the club also goes on hikes for beginners like me. I'm really interested in seeing the parts of Ireland that are off the beaten path.
Speaking of the outdoors, API had our first excursion of the semester yesterday. We stopped in the village of Kinvara briefly and explored the outside of the Dunguaire Castle. Unfortunately, we did not venture inside, but the view surrounding the castle was extraordinary nonetheless. From the bus, we saw the endless Irish countryside. Even in the middle of January, the hills were the richest of green. Absolutely breathtaking. Stone walls stretched out across miles and miles; sheep and cattle grazed between them. We met our guide for the Carran walk, a tour of an expansive religious site through the Burren. We also toured the small and charming Hazel Mountain Chocolate factory at the foot of the Burren mountains. They transform their chocolate from bean to bar all by themselves, including stone grinding the cacao beans.
Ireland as a whole is captivating. Although I have written mainly about the landscape, the people of Ireland are just as interesting. I have found that they speak with a much deeper meaning and passion behind their words. I think this stems from the Irish language itself. During orientation, a professor taught us a few words of Irish. "Dia dhuit" is used to say hello, but the literal translation is God be with you. To this, one would respond "Dia is Muire dhuit," which means God and Mary be with you. My directors also speak in such a manner. They frequently reflect on aspects of life and the importance of travel and learning. This may be due to the fact that they want to inspire us, but I think it goes a step beyond just that. The Irish are very genuine people.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Culture Shock - 1 Rachel - 0
I've been in Ireland for five days now, and all I can say is wow. This past week has been nothing like I had imagined it would be.
I flew out of snowy Pittsburgh in the morning. My family gave me a warm send off in the airport, and we parted ways until May 14th. I was a little worried about getting through security and boarding all on my own, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. I arrived in Boston after a very quick flight.
Once in Boston, I spent my nine hour layover walking around, online shopping, reading, and doing anything to make the time go faster. I met several API students in the airport, and we all anxiously waited for our flight together.
Ever since I stepped foot onto the Aer Lingus plane to Shannon, I've felt like I've been sleepwalking. I sat next to a kind, elderly Irish woman with the voice of Mrs. Doubtfire, and all the flight attendants had last names like O'Reilly and O'Donnell. We arrived in Shannon around midnight (5:00 am in Ireland), and we hit the ground running. I didn't even have time to feel exhausted the first few days, but it definitely caught up with me.
Now that I'm settled into my apartment and starting to learn the city a little better, I can definitely picture myself enjoying my semester here. Surprisingly, it wasn't love at first sight for me. I was expecting my transition to be a lot smoother; I underestimated how big of a challenge this is and how I would be affected. My first three days here have been miserable. The weather was absolutely terrible with 40 mph winds and sleet (even the Irish say it's not usually this bad). Even the simplest tasks like making the shower water hot were completely foreign. I was almost ready to book a flight back to start the spring semester at Marietta.
Every day is better and better. I keep reminding myself how desperately I wanted to be here and how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Our director constantly reminds us to make it through the first month here, and in February, we will never want to leave.
I flew out of snowy Pittsburgh in the morning. My family gave me a warm send off in the airport, and we parted ways until May 14th. I was a little worried about getting through security and boarding all on my own, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. I arrived in Boston after a very quick flight.
Once in Boston, I spent my nine hour layover walking around, online shopping, reading, and doing anything to make the time go faster. I met several API students in the airport, and we all anxiously waited for our flight together.
Ever since I stepped foot onto the Aer Lingus plane to Shannon, I've felt like I've been sleepwalking. I sat next to a kind, elderly Irish woman with the voice of Mrs. Doubtfire, and all the flight attendants had last names like O'Reilly and O'Donnell. We arrived in Shannon around midnight (5:00 am in Ireland), and we hit the ground running. I didn't even have time to feel exhausted the first few days, but it definitely caught up with me.
Now that I'm settled into my apartment and starting to learn the city a little better, I can definitely picture myself enjoying my semester here. Surprisingly, it wasn't love at first sight for me. I was expecting my transition to be a lot smoother; I underestimated how big of a challenge this is and how I would be affected. My first three days here have been miserable. The weather was absolutely terrible with 40 mph winds and sleet (even the Irish say it's not usually this bad). Even the simplest tasks like making the shower water hot were completely foreign. I was almost ready to book a flight back to start the spring semester at Marietta.
Every day is better and better. I keep reminding myself how desperately I wanted to be here and how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Our director constantly reminds us to make it through the first month here, and in February, we will never want to leave.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Three More Days...
The fall semester and winter break have both gone so quickly. My flight out of Pittsburgh is Tuesday morning. I will have a nine hour layover in Boston and then board a plane to Shannon.
My entire preparation for this journey has felt surreal; with only three days left, it still hasn't hit me that I will be living in another country shortly (evident by my unpacked suitcase).
"How did you pick Ireland?"
This question is by far the most popular one when I inform people of my future plans. I have known I wanted to study abroad for a year now, but I struggled narrowing it down to one location. Since last fall, I've researched Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, and many others. I was attracted to the culture, natural beauty, and educational reputations of all these countries. Many personal factors limited the program I could choose: I wanted to study without a language barrier, I needed to return by mid-May for my internship, my budget wasn't extensive, and I had to take one engineering class abroad to graduate on time. I was starting to get nervous as my options dwindled, but everything seemed to fall into place with Ireland. In October, I was ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter from API to attend NUI - Galway.
I feel like I have been drawn to this place, and I cannot wait to discover all that it holds. While in Ireland, I plan to learn as much as possible. I don't know when I'll be able to have an experience like this again, and I intend to take full advantage of it.
My goals for this semester are to:
1. Explore!
2. Challenge myself & stretch my comfort zone.
3. Learn about Ireland's energy sources and study its leadership.
4. Embrace the culture rather than resist it.
5. Travel throughout Europe.
6. Keep in touch with home as needed.
7. Try new foods. (My vegetarianism will continue once I return to the US.)
8. Gain a greater perspective of the world.
9. Have the time of my life.
Can't wait to start the journey!
My entire preparation for this journey has felt surreal; with only three days left, it still hasn't hit me that I will be living in another country shortly (evident by my unpacked suitcase).
"How did you pick Ireland?"
This question is by far the most popular one when I inform people of my future plans. I have known I wanted to study abroad for a year now, but I struggled narrowing it down to one location. Since last fall, I've researched Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, and many others. I was attracted to the culture, natural beauty, and educational reputations of all these countries. Many personal factors limited the program I could choose: I wanted to study without a language barrier, I needed to return by mid-May for my internship, my budget wasn't extensive, and I had to take one engineering class abroad to graduate on time. I was starting to get nervous as my options dwindled, but everything seemed to fall into place with Ireland. In October, I was ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter from API to attend NUI - Galway.
I feel like I have been drawn to this place, and I cannot wait to discover all that it holds. While in Ireland, I plan to learn as much as possible. I don't know when I'll be able to have an experience like this again, and I intend to take full advantage of it.
My goals for this semester are to:
1. Explore!
2. Challenge myself & stretch my comfort zone.
3. Learn about Ireland's energy sources and study its leadership.
4. Embrace the culture rather than resist it.
5. Travel throughout Europe.
6. Keep in touch with home as needed.
7. Try new foods. (My vegetarianism will continue once I return to the US.)
8. Gain a greater perspective of the world.
9. Have the time of my life.
Can't wait to start the journey!
About Me
My name is Rachel, and I am a sophomore student at Marietta College. At the college, I am pursuing a bachelors degree in Petroleum Engineering and a certificate in Leadership Studies. I am passionate about coffee, the environment, learning, running, and Alpha Xi Delta. This semester at NUI - Galway, I will be fulfilling general education requirements and embracing my artistic side a little more.
I have spent my nineteen years in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to live in Ireland for the next four months. I owe a very special thank you to my parents and sister for their encouragement and undying support.
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