“Oh, you’re American?”
“Yeah, I’m from New York.”
“What year are you?”
“First-year, yeah I know it’s pretty unique, but it’s been great.”
“Wow that’s crazy, I’ve never really heard of that kind of programme. I only live 15 minutes from here, haha.”
Something like that is usually how the conversation goes when I meet a new Irish friend for the first time here.
I’ve been thrown into the fire right away in my situation, but as I reflect towards the end of the semester now, I realize now how many memories I’ve made and how much I’ve learned both inside and outside of the classroom.
Before arriving at Shannon Airport and then on the UL campus and Dromroe Village, I was excited and unsure about this next chapter of my life. I was just in American high school a few months before, where I’ve lived my whole life, and now I’m in Limerick, Ireland over 3,000 miles from home in a completely different place with 18,000 brand-new people.
I was a little bit nervous due to the circumstances, but I was excited to explore a new culture, travel around both Ireland and Europe, and make new connections with Irish students, other international students, and my fellow UNC students.
Living here and doing everything for myself, I realized how much my parents did for me back home, and therefore, I began to pick up so many new life skills. I began doing my laundry, cleaning my room and bathroom, planning for meals and going to the grocery store and then cooking meals 3-4 times a week. I remember being so proud of myself in the first week for doing such ‘adult’ tasks when I figured out how to take the bus to the Parkway Shopping Center, getting everything I needed for the week, and then making it. I missed my parents providing me with a home-cooked (and free) meal every single day, but I also found out that I really enjoy cooking. It’s an art and it allows me to be creative and then eat my creations while I listen to music in the background. It can be extremely meditative and relaxing, and it’s something I want to continue to do back home.
My classes have been going well, but I think academic extracurriculars have been some of the best groups I’ve been a part of while here. In addition to the Global Ambassador programme, I’ve gotten involved with the Marketing Society, Consulting & Entrepreneurship Society as well as social basketball soccer. I love getting involved wherever I may be, and it’s been amazing to be welcomed into all these different areas around campus. These groups have also allowed to make so many more connections with Irish friends who I’ll stay in contact with even when I’m back in the U.S. UL has provided me with so many great opportunities.
This is my first time being anywhere in Europe, so it was definitely a goal of mine to take advantage of travel proximity and cheap flights while I’m here. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Berlin, Barcelona, and London, with a trip to Milan/Rome and possibly Paris in the works. It has also been great to explore Ireland with Hynan Tours and the bus companies that UL organizes. I’ve visited the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Dingle Peninsula, Aran Islands, Dublin, and I’m going to Cork soon.
As college gets increasingly harder to get into in both the U.S. and Ireland, I have a feeling that these types of first-semester/year programmes, although rare outside of handful of schools right now, will become more popular and usual in the very near future. If that is the case, I definitely recommend participating in similar experiences. I know that it can be scary, but once you take the leap of faith, you won’t look back, and you’ll have an experience and friendships to talk about for the rest of your life. I’ve learned so much more about the world and myself while I’ve been here, and it’s been an awesome overall experience. Go UL Wolves!
Study Ireland - Stories & Guides from International Students 
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