Reflections

Although I am still here in Ireland I think it's probably important that I start writing down some of the thoughts I've got going on. I've definitely been reflecting over this semester a lot. The semester went by faster than I had imagined it could; it's probably been the fastest semester for me in my college career. It's crazy to think that I have a less than three weeks left. So have I integrated? What do I feel about the Irish culture? Will I come back? To the first question, I feel that I have integrated to a small extent, the to the extent I had wished at the beginning of the semester. I feel that I have picked up certain phrases well and that I can blend well into the crowd when it comes to how I move through it and what I say to get through it (i.e. push and shove while saying 'sorry!'). But I know I wouldn't be able to fully integrate unless I had stayed for a full year, which I know I am not ready for. The Irish culture was truly interesting because it was so much like american culture with a few twists here and there. I am giong to miss the night life here. It will be an adjustment not being to up and walk to a pub for a drink. I feel I might catch myself saying "hey let's go to a bar" and realizing that I can't just up and go. It has been the easiest semester of my career and next semester will be an adjustment back to better work and study habits. So, will I come back to the Green Isle? I would love to come back in the future to travel around and maybe do more of a backpacking experience, but I feel that Ireland will be on hold for a while. There are warmer and cheaper places that I would like to see next. I really want to start exploring South America! Hearing so many of the Irish tell me that I look Spanish made me appreciate my hispanic heritage more than ever and I want to start exploring that now that I know I probably will never be able to fully integrate into Irish culture.

So what kind of adjustments will I have to make back in the US? Well, drinking is one, duh. My alcohol tolerance has definitely gone up, more than I've truly realized. I can't wait to have more of a selection when it comes to drinks though and they will be so much cheaper! One thing I have learned well here is to budget. I thought I knew well back in the states, but I have learned much more here. I will also have to adjust back to American prices. I feel that I will probably spend my first few weeks exchanging back to euro just to feel how cheap the price really is. I will probably say 'sorry' a lot so please be patient and remind me that I don't need to say it for everything! One great thing is that I'll be used to walking a lot, I'm used to walking at least 2 miles every day, they dont' even phase me, but now I'm used to walking fast. Now I can walk to campus in about 10 minutes whereas it used to take around 16-17 before.

At the farewell dinner we were told to say something about Ireland, but I hadn't even started to reflect upon the trip. It has been a great cultural experience that many students don't take and I don't regret coming here even though there were many ups and downs, it was expensive, and the academic experience was far from impressive. It was a great experience that I know I will always look back to.

Slainte!