Hi friends! My name is Katie Gilkey and I am studying abroad from the United States at the University of Limerick (UL), Ireland! I absolutely love it here! The landscape is a heart-warming green and the people are incredibly welcoming! Thank you for your time reading this blog and I hope that it can give you some helpful insight!

I have completed just over half of my semester at UL and there are 10 items that I have noticed that I use every single day. They are simple things that I find help me to stay organized and comfortable when being so far away from home!

1- Backpack

This might seem like one of those items where you would tell me, “Duh…of course you should bring a backpack!” But really, I am telling you, please bring a backpack – but not a super big one. I did in fact come to Ireland without a backpack…on purpose. The one that I had at home was fairly big and I knew that I would purchase one when I arrived. I did just that. At a sporting goods store, Decathlon, I purchased myself the perfect sized backpack for 13 euro and I use it virtually every single day.

I use it to carry my computer, notes, pens, and lunch around campus. But I also use it to go grocery shopping! Ireland is amazing at reusing their resources, so I bring a bag (or two or three) to the store with me so that I can easily get my items back home! A backpack is perfect for this experience and also perfect if you are taking a quick overnight trip anywhere. You don’t want to lug around lots of luggage when you are trying to experience new sights – bring a backpack, you won’t be sorry.

2 – Sticky Notes

While I was frantically packing before leaving to come to Ireland, I
happened to run across a pack of sticky notes. My first thought was, “Nah, don’t take up more space in your suitcase, you won’t need those…” but then I was like, “Well, what if I do need them?” So, I threw them in at the last minute. I could not be more thankful that I made that spontaneous decision – I use them ALL THE TIME!

I use them for writing notes, reminders for myself, encouraging messages, grocery lists, and we even have a quote wall in our kitchen that is derived from quotes on sticky notes! They have endless versatility, they are small, easy to pack, can be a variety of colors to brighten the space, and do not need tape to put up. Please, do yourself a favor and quick throw in a stack of sticky notes – you won’t regret it!

3 – Raincoat

Another thing that did not take me long to figure out was the importance of a raincoat. I am not kidding when I say this, but the weather here can change lickety split! One moment you are enjoying this beautiful sunshine kissing your face and the next moment you are getting pelted with rain! I now live by the rule, “Never leave home without a rain coat!”

If you do not have a raincoat, do not fret! I didn’t bring one with me when I first arrived and I easily found one that was a decent price and quality! I purchased mine at Penney’s – a cheaper, fashionable clothing store in Limerick city!

4 – To-go Mug

After living in Ireland for about 2 weeks, one thing that I noticed I
was spending too much money on was…coffee. I don’t know about you, but when the weather is cold and drizzly, I love a good hot drink (coffee or tea) to warm me up from the inside out! For me, I am not super particular about having a super fancy cup of coffee every day, I just wanted something warm – so I solved my problem of spending too much money…

I bought a to-go, insulated travel mug and some dehydrated coffee and tea bags at a local store, Dunnes. I purchased my mug for 7 euro, my coffee for 6 euro, and my tea for 5 euro – saving me loads of cash! I went from grabbing a cup of coffee for roughly 4 euro a piece to spending 18 euro for endless amounts of hot beverages! I highly recommend! You can bring it around campus, to class, and even when you travel around Ireland!

5 – Daily Planner

If you are an adult, congratulations! You were just given the gift of responsibility! Yeppers, you heard me! Taking responsibility for your thoughts, words, actions, emotions, and schedule are all a huge
part of growing up and studying abroad!

My life functions out of my daily planner – my to-do lists, calendars, events, important reminders, etc. all happen in my daily planner. I am a little old fashioned and I prefer to do everything by hand on paper, but that does not have to be your story! There are plenty of online resources that can also provide you with the same structure. However you choose to be responsible and manage your life is up to you, but I highly recommend that you have means of organization, especially if you are in a different country!

6 – Slippers

Slippers are a must have if you get chilled easily! I find that the floors in my accommodation are cold and collect lots of dirt and dust easily. When I am at home, I like to be comfy and cozy, so wearing outside shoes around doesn’t feel very homey. By having slippers, I am able to take my shoes off and
get comfortable without ever having to touch the floor – it is marvelous!

Slippers can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors! I suggest finding something that is relatively cheap, but that will last the duration of your time abroad. That way, if they get hammered, then you can throw them away at the end without feeling bad about it and you can have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs you collect!

7 – Blanket

When I first arrived at my accommodation, my room was completely white – the shelves, sink, closet, duvet cover, bed, desk, walls…so I couldn’t have been more thankful that I packed a yellow blanket! This extra pop of color
brings so much light, life, and comfort to my adorable room! I also tend to be cold easily, so it is great for cuddling, napping, and having an extra layer during colder nights!

I also suggest that you consider bringing flat decorations to fill your space with more vibrancy! I brought pictures, bible verses on cards, letters, and a couple of posters to hand around the room, which makes me feel at home! If you choose to bring flat decorations, don’t forget to bring some handy dandy tape!

8 – Ear Buds

One of the first things that I noticed when arriving at UL was that I was about to do a lot of walking. I live in Plassey Village, an on-campus accommodation, but about a 10 minute walk to the center of campus. Depending on the class I have, my walk can range from 10-30 minutes, easily, to get where I need to go. I couldn’t be more thankful for my ear buds as they help to pass the time!

With ear buds, your opportunities for walking entertainment are endless! Whether you are a music connoisseur or you
gain wisdom from podcasts, you can listen to whatever you wish while you are walking from place to place! Just remember to stop and look up – enjoy the birds chirping once in a while, live in the moment while you can!

9 – Yoga Mat

When you are away from home, one of the most important things to remember is that you are responsible for yourself. This means that you are responsible to care for yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally in ways that best suit you!

One way to really take care of yourself mentally and physically is by moving your body! There are so many ways you can do this – by walking, running, going to the gym (we have fabulous facilities here), joining a society that involves movement, hiking, etc. For me, one of my favorite things to do is to do yoga and pilates…on my yoga mat in my accommodation. It is a simple way for me to move my body, give my brain a break, and stay in the comfort of my home!

Yoga mats are relatively inexpensive and easy to travel with. I purchased mine in the United States and rolled it in my suitcase – easy as pie!

10 – Bible

As previously stated, it is also important to care for yourself emotionally and spiritually. Personally, I am a Lutheran (Christian) and the entirety of my life centers around God’s Word found in the Bible. My faith is extremely important to me and being away from home, I must make a conscious effort to read my Bible, do devotions, and keep my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, strong. This brings me comfort and joy that is certainly necessary when days abroad seem long and hard.

My best advice is that you bring with you a book or a journal that is going to help you to keep yourself emotionally and spiritually steady. My Bible (God’s Word) is my rock that keeps me strong as well as my daily journal – two items that are an absolute necessity! I challenge you to find something that you know will hold you accountable and encourage you when there are moments of undeniable difficulty. With that, I have shared with you 10 items that I find to be extremely useful while living in Ireland as a study abroad student. I pray that your continued preparations or decisions regarding studying abroad are fruitful and full of joy! It is a remarkable experience that will change your perspective in incredible ways! May you always be blessed!
With joy,
Katie Gilkey