Whether you're reading this because you know me personally or stumbled across my blog while searching for study abroad options, welcome!
As you may or may not know, I am studying at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland for the spring semester and it has been a whirlwind thus far. Here is a snapshot of my crazy first two weeks.
Week One
I took a car, a plane, another plane and a bus for a total of 16+ hours of travel to finally find myself in Cork. Over the next week I was reminded of what it's like to be a freshman at college as everything was new. So much was thrown at me that I probably only half remembered most of it, if I was lucky!, and there were many ups and downs. As soon as I arrived I wasn't able to take a badly needed and desired hot shower because our apartment's hot water was not turned on and then our shower's thermostat was broken and had to be replaced. In this time I met my two wonderful roommates who I am so blessed to have and also quickly became directionally acquainted with the small city, which I was very impressed with! The weather, however, was harder to get acquainted with and I had to be caught in the rain numerous times to realize 1) it will rain every day even when there isn't a cloud in the blue sky and the weather app doesn't forecast rain and 2) I thus need to have an umbrella or rain jacket on me at all times. Overall, it was a crazy first week!
Week Two
This week was the start of classes. I am taking five classes, called modules here, all within the scope of Irish history, Irish literature and European literature. While taking five classes isn't really a challenge, getting use to the academic system is. Classes here are held either twice a week for 50 minutes for once a week for 2 hours and there is very little homework. In turn, you are expected to do outside research and reading. There was also the stuggle of classes being at different times and in different buildings on random days of the week. For example: At Babson, you could have a class on Monday and Wednesday from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the same class room both days. At UCC, I have a class Monday at noon in one building and again on Tuesday at 3pm in a different building. And this patterned is not consistent for every class. Classes can also be randomly cancelled, often with no notice from the Professor until you are already sitting in the classroom, not something that would happen at Babson. However, despite all of this I like my modules and am learning a lot!
This second weekend one of my roommates and I took our first day trip to Limerick! There are three things I love about taking a day trip in Ireland:
1) The country is so small you can get almost anywhere on a bus or train in no time at all.
2) The country has so much history and culture that even the smallest of towns have amazing sights to see.
3) You are never far from a pub or restaurant that serves great food!
All of this was true for Limerick! We first went to the popular Milk Market where we bought crepes made right in front of us...mine was Nutella and bananas.
We then headed to St. John's Castle, which was built in the 13th century and used as a fort.
We then visited a few monuments such as the Treaty Stone.
We ended our day with a hot and delicious lunch and then headed home, delighted with our first study abroad excursion!
Thank you all for the well wishes and to everyone who has checked in on me since I have been here. I am so thankful for all of you!
Also, if you are friends with me on Facebook you can see the full album from my trip there.
With love,
Emilie
