With less than a week until I depart, I'm getting more and more nervous but also more and more excited. I wish I could say I'm almost packed but that wouldn't even be close to accurate. I have gathered plenty of crap that's for sure. Piles of stuff count as packing, right? I wish. I really should get on that especially seeing as I have to fit everything I need for the next four months in two suitcases (not sure if that's even possible, I have a lot of clothes!). Lucky for me, my mom is an expert packer. After all, she has two kids to pack for 4+ months in Europe (my brother will be teaching in Spain for the year). For my last weekend I'm pretty much living on a diet of avocados and coffee knowing that I will have limited access to my two favorite food groups once on the Emerald Isle. It'll be a bit of a change converting to tea for someone who drinks coffee basically 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But hey, studying abroad is all about trying new things right?
Over the course of the semester I will try to post updates regularly. I hope to share my experiences through this blog because I'm sure I will have a lot to share! For those of you who don't know, I will be spending 4 months studying abroad in Galway, Ireland at NUIG (National University of Ireland, Galway). My program consists of 10 HWS students and 10 students from Union College. We are also accompanied by Professor Denis Brennan from Union. Within the program, we are required to take a course about Irish culture at the University as well as the Director's Seminar, Irish in Sports. I will also be taking two more courses, but won't pick them until I arrive.
I've never been to Ireland before but I sure am looking forward to it. From what I've heard and read, it sounds like an exciting place that I will have no trouble calling my home for the next few months. Galway is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and is known as the "most Irish city in Ireland." I don't think there will be any shortage of culture there. Nearly every person I've met that's been to Ireland (including my Italian waiter at dinner tonight) has said the Aran Islands are a must-see. Lucky for me, my program is going on an excursion there within the first few weeks of the semester. From what my friends and family have said, I'm expecting a lot of green, a lot of sheep, and a lot of beer. I can't wait to immerse myself in this new culture and make the most out of what is going to be the experience of a lifetime.
