Saturday, September 28, 2013

Week Two

            When first arriving at Carlow, we were taken straight to our accommodation at Lennon House, a building conveniently located on campus right behind the main building where all of our classes are located.
            I was really impressed with the accommodation. Each of us were given our own rooms, where we had a bed, desk, bookshelves, a very large closet, a sink and mirror of our own. We have three bathrooms on the floor, so the number of people we share it with is smaller. Same goes for the two large, fully furnished and stocked kitchens. It has a very similar feel to the dorms at home, however, you are able to have your own space and independence from the hallway, which is very nice.





            There are fifteen students total in our group of international students. Two of them I knew prior to coming here from Carlow. Just like starting a new school anywhere, you are forced to be overly social for the first days in hopes that someone will click with you and you’ll have another friend to add to your short list.
            It hasn’t been easy the entire time. However, I feel like it’s gotten to the point where we are starting to find our stride and getting to know one another. It’s interesting to meet different people and hear stories about their reasons for taking the same voyage as you are. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Week One


            Look at the week in retrospect, I truly can’t even begin to describe the experience that I’ve had. It’s impossible for me to even believe that I’ve been here such a short time because I feel like I’ve settled into the new life I’ve made so well.
            Carlow is an amazingly quaint village with the feel of a cozy, small, hometown with enough shops and the nightlife to parallel a larger city. It’s the perfect combination for someone like myself who struggles to find a medium for the two.
            My first impressions were all very positive. It’s hard when you’re coming to a new country to avoid making overall generalizations after a small amount of time here, and having only met a few people. However, a lot of the observations I have made are about the way people interact here versus the way we do in America.
            Here in Ireland, the people live a lot quieter, laid back lifestyle. It’s actually quite refreshing when you’re culture is all about the rush. For example, all of my classes run for about two hours. However, in each of them, my teachers told us that they wouldn’t be starting classes until at least ten after throughout the term, so don’t worry about hurrying to get through the door.
            When you’re walking down the streets and make eye contact with another passer-by, you better be prepared for a brief exchange. At home, if you catch the eye of a stranger, you may smile if you’re feeling polite that day and move along about your day. Not a single person I have passed in Ireland has failed to ask me how I was. Of course, it’s a polite exchange, they probably really don’t want to hear every detail of your day, but the fact that they are sweet enough to ask just goes to show the cultural difference.
            It’s fun being American in a place like Carlow. Everyone is super friendly and very keen on finding out where in America you’re from, even though not many know where Pittsburgh is. It’s fun to hear their experiences they’ve had State side, or people that they know that have been there. And of course—they’re going to ask if they have an accent.
            Overall, the people here are probably some of the most warm and welcoming I’ve met in my previous travels and my experiences at home. They have made this trip worthwhile thus far. They make the town so warm and inviting.

            Orientation was a bit intimidating for me. The day started at 9:00 and we didn’t head back to our accommodation until about 4:30. We were in a mass group with the first year students, which was actually a lot more comforting because they were starting just as fresh as we were at this school.
            The schooling, however, is very different here than in the United States. I think that’s apparent to anyone who studies abroad. However, there were three large things that stood out most to me.
1.     Everyone is separated into courses of study. Unlike the majors and minors that we have here, people tend to be separated into larger groups and follow a seemingly strict guideline of courses with a few electives thrown in occasionally. Quite a few friendly people would ask, “What course are you doing?” upon meeting us and it was a bit of a struggle explaining how I had no idea what that meant. As they move on through their schooling, they stay together in these groups, getting to know people who are in the same major course of study with them. I think that has its advantages, as you form a bond with a person that lasts, unlike the semester-long friendship you may make with some other students back home. However, it was a little struggle for the American students the first day as we were stepping into upper-level classes of people who had been together for two and three years’ time.
2.     The studying is very independent here. The expectations are a little higher than it is at home. At least for someone like myself who does better in a more structured learning environment. They base a lot of their learning on your own academic discovery over the term than specific assignments throughout to evaluate what you know. The term ends with an essay and an exam and until that point, there aren’t many assignments in between. This is something that will take a good getting used to for the students who are coming from institutions that operate differently. However, I think the challenge to gain this independence is amazing preparation for our futures.
3.     The college is set up a lot differently than it is at home. Everything is located in one building, which is really convenient for the student. There is a main part of the building that has a few classrooms and two larger wings that have three stories of them. I feel that it’s much easier than struggling to move from one building to another and find your correct room each term like we do at home. Here, each room has a hall name, usually after someone significant in history or to the college.

Overall, the experience was something that I truly enjoyed. Of course, every new experience provokes a bit of anxiety but I’ve learned that you learn who you are as a person by the way you deal with it. That anxiety can be a motivation to create familiarity within your surroundings to ease the nervousness. I’m proud to say I have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone to create new experiences that I may not have at home and I am so happy to  report that I don’t regret a single one.

Happy Travels!

Megan