Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

In this personal blog, US Study Abroad student, Sarah Park, from University of North Carolina recounts the experience of spending your first semester of college away from home in Ireland.

To move to another country at the age of 18 is a rather daunting idea, even if it’s just for a semester. I never thought that my first weeks of being a college student would be spent abroad, but after spending 85 days on Irish soil, I can safely say that it was the best decision I’ve ever made. What made it even better? Having it all documented on my 2011 Canon Powershot.  

That camera has been through it all: it captured countless birthdays, my first day of elementary school, and now, my first semester of college. There is something so special about that, having everything documented on one camera. And now when I look back, I can remember the amazing experience that was my time in Ireland. 

It was April when I decided that I would enroll at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on the terms that I would spend the first semester at the University of Limerick. There are 55 of us in this program, and I knew none of them. There were voices of concern from all corners of my life, asking if going abroad was really what I wanted, and if I was sure of the decision I was making. To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure. From the start, I knew that it was going to be a journey. Not an easy one, but definitely one that would change my life.  

The first night I was in Ireland, I bonded with my now-best friends by taking sunset pictures at the Pavillion. The second night, the camera was passed around, capturing the moments when we started to fall in love with this country. I started to bring my beloved Canon with me everywhere, and my camera lens turned into a storyteller, capturing the smiles, the tears, and everything in between. The entirety of my Irish experience is documented: seeing the Cliffs of Moher, going to Galway for the horse races, nights at Stables, Halloween, and even traveling outside of Ireland. On the days when I miss home, looking at those pictures reminds me that my time here is short, and how lucky I am to be immersed in the Irish culture. It’s exciting to think that in a couple of years, I can look back on these pictures and remember the times I had abroad. 

Living in a new country at such a young age has shaped me to be more responsible, patient, and mature. When I go back to the States, I’m going to miss the rich green grass, the cows on the side of the road, and even the rain. It’s strange to think that in a couple of quick weeks, my time in Ireland will merely be a folder on my computer, a distant memory, but it holds a place in my heart much larger than that. The digital memories will remind me of my second home that I made for myself across the ocean, the place that welcomed me with open arms and taught me so many lessons in such a short amount of time. If there is anyone considering studying abroad, (especially at UL,) do it. This has been an experience of a lifetime. But most importantly, don’t forget to bring your camera along. You’ll want to capture those memories and hold onto them forever.