Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

Everyone knows that studying abroad is a big deal. It comes with many challenges socially, academically, financially, and situationally. However, focusing on these large obstacles can sometimes prevent one from appreciating the triumph in overcoming small ones that others may not think of. Studying abroad is a life-changing and worthwhile experience, but it can sometimes make the tiniest task require a lot of effort. While this can be exhausting, it does show you the joys of small triumphs and mold you into a more knowledgeable and well rounded individual. A small triumph is something that feels normal, easy, or even a part of your everyday life at home but feels much more difficult to achieve in a new country with different norms, transportation, environments, cultures, and more. This makes completing the small task a triumph, and each one of these should be celebrated, no matter how small.

One of the first small triumphs you may mount is arriving at your dorm. Flying between countries is always a big deal, but people tend to overlook moving around when you get somewhere new. Once you walk through the front door of your accommodation, you have conquered at least some forms of transportation in your new country, and now you can find comfort in your new home. I felt relief and excitement once I finally made it to Thomond Village at the University of Limerick.

Next, unpacking gave me more of a sense of home and filled me with victorious warmth. The natural subsequent small triumph is grocery shopping. At home, I am used to having my car to drive to Walmart, Publix, Trader Joe’s, or one of my other usual stores. However, in Ireland, I had to find a new grocery store and decide whether to walk or figure out the buses. For the first time, I decided to walk around half an hour to an Aldi. Grabbing the necessities and obtaining my first two Aldi bags were never tasks I would have anticipated as exhilarating, but they were. After this first victory, shopping became much easier and I have found what works best for me.

My next challenge was conquering the buses, a form of transport I nearly never use at home. Figuring out how to register for a TFI Leap Card, picking it up from reception, and using it for the first time on a bus to the city inflated me with joy. This is an everyday occurrence for an Irish student, but for me, it was a victory. I was nervous about being judged, getting on the wrong bus, or violating some public transportation etiquette unbeknownst to me. After overcoming these fears, I can now use the buses to get nearly everywhere I need. Even though it feels like you have overcome enough after flying here, shopping, going through orientation, and more, you still have to start classes.

This is intimidating, no matter how kind and helpful everyone is. I was worried about course load, feeling out of place, or even just walking into the wrong classroom. Finishing the first week of classes is a triumph as you enter yourself into new environments and learn what to expect for the semester. Another small victory I found was establishing routines for myself. When I first got to Ireland, it felt like a vacation. On vacation, I do not develop a schedule or do much work, which is what made me realize I had to start focusing here. Once I developed my typical day-to-day events, grocery and laundry schedules, and exercise routine, I felt successful. Learning how to apply your hobbies, tasks, and more in your new country is a small triumph that sets you up for the rest of your time abroad. Now that you have triumphed in many necessity and technical categories, the next victory is social. Meeting new people when you are already uncomfortable can be difficult, and it can be even more challenging to find those you click with. However, you are bound to meet wonderful people after attending orientation and starting classes. Planning your first outing or hanging out with these friends is another small victory, but in your heart, it will feel like more. Countless everyday tasks feel like insurmountable obstacles when you are abroad.

You must recognize that others feel the same way and that everything will work out how it is meant to. Embrace every feeling of victory while abroad, whether large or small.