Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

He found himself in the backseat of a Gold Renault hurling through the narrow motorways of Limerick County before they made their first stop at a petrol station. The pumps were different, and the information came to him that they had to pay at the counter before pumping their gas. Interesting. 

After leaving for a different station, he started to realize just how much Ireland has in store for anyone willing to experience it. 

“Everything is so green!” Exclaimed he. “Just you wait.” Said she. 

Once arrived in Waterford, the boy could only repress his urge for a few short hours before making his way down to the beach in the dead of night. The stars twinkled above, and all the constellations watched over him as he ventured through the winding walkways. 

Many fear the dark, but the boy had left his ego behind before he took this venture. Once he arrived at the top of the dune, the sound of waves crashing was the only thing permitting him to be aware of his location. Shoes and socks removed, he walked along the dunes, observing his fear washing away. 

A night’s sleep came and went, and the boy found himself awake uncomfortably early. However, the sun was the brightest he had seen ever since landing in the Emerald Isle, and another journey to the beach was due. 

Arrived once again, the full beauty of the area brought the feeling of tears to his eyes. 

You see, the boy was taken away from the beach only two years after birth and placed in possibly the furthest spot in North America one can be from it. Yet, this only accentuated his love for the Ocean’s waves. 

After adventuring across the beach and over the cliffs, he made his way back to the cozy hostel located on quite possibly the greenest, most lovely piece of countryside he’s had the privilege of seeing. 

A wave of drowsiness washed over him, and a few short hours resting the eyes prepared him for the leap of faith he was supposed to take.  

You see, the boy had always wanted to surf, but many barriers (mostly geographical) blocked him from this dream coming to fruition. A short stint in skimboarding, which was a miserable one at best, pushed this dream a little further down to the point where he almost lost it. 

When he heard of the surf club at the University of Limerick, he was confused. Then, after around five seconds of thinking, he realized that Ireland is in fact an island bordering the Atlantic Ocean, so it’d make sense that there’d be waves to surf. 

He had joined the club only four days before this trip to Waterford and hadn’t even touched a surfboard. Yet, his dreams were far too powerful to be silenced by reason.

BONMAHON, WATERFORD COUNTY, IRELAND 

“Are there alligators in these waters?” asked he. “No, just rocks.” Responded she. 

Standing on the beach with the sun in his hair and the world in his eyes, a sense of overwhelming purity came over him. 

Once waited in the water, the waves carried him back to shore. Whether that be in a smooth wave-ride or a nasty wipeout, he went back for more until his lungs couldn’t breathe and feet couldn’t walk. 

The water holds many secrets, one being that everything is always changing. The second we attempt to define ourselves; we lodge ourselves in a matrix for which it is much easier to enter than escape. So, reader, I urge you to look to the water whenever you lose your sense of self.