Weeks 1-4

It's been an interesting adjustment coming here and finding classes so different from those at home. The grade scale, assignments, and class set up are all so new, but I think I'm getting the hang of knowing where each class is now! My struggle is really with balance between school work and fun. You would think since I'm a junior in college I would have this down by now, but the thing is I did, when I was in the US. At my home school I could usually manage pretty well and know what I was up against if I didn't, but here it's all different and I want to experience every aspect of it. I want to go out some nights, and go exploring on weekends, and I don't want to say no to hanging out with the new people I'm meeting here. All of that makes for very little time spent actually doing any work for class. I'm in my fourth week of school, but I don't feel like it. There aren't very many assignments that are really graded, so therefore aren't necessary to do, but being the nerd I am, I worry about getting them done. Until that is, I get invited to make pancakes with my friends, and all my plans to actually be studious fall to nothing. Now, my home university will not take my grades, only my credits, so I'm basically on pass/fail over here and I'm really relying on that idea to help me embrace the fact that I don't always have to do all the work assigned and can really have a fun, adventure filled semester!

On another note, I've done some weekend traveling in the last two weeks to Dublin and Dingle and both were really great! Dublin was exciting for it's history and the cool places we visited there like the Book of Kells at Trinity College, the Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Factory. Dingle was a day trip and the best part was being at the top of Eask Tower and looking out at the view there, it was breathtaking, the climb however was muddy and full of sprawls.

What do you think, should I be more worried about school or really indulge in the fun (or craic as they say in Ireland)?

Week 0

I've been in Ireland for about 5 days now and I've seen and done a lot here! The most noticeable differences I see so far, when comparing the US to Ireland, are in the night life. How here there are pubs on campus and they are much fancier than I expected. How the most crowded nights out are Tuesdays and Thursdays not the weekends (so I've been told). It's really interesting to me how these small things make for such a different college experience. Already I have been to the pub three nights and that's not uncommon here, where at home it's only the crazy partiers that go out more than once or twice a week.

Another huge difference is the amount of people that smoke! Now, I hate smoking, it grosses me out and I don't find it attractive on anyone, but it is so common place here. I knew many Europeans outside the UK and Ireland smoked a lot, but I did not realize it was as prevalent there as well. For example I have meet a couple people from Greece, Spain, and France that all smoke, but at the pub about half the people were out on the patio smoking! The pub even has a cigarette vending machine. It is one of the only things I have really disliked so far.

I am really enjoying all the lovely walks though! Where I live on campus is a nice 10 minute walk from the main courtyard and I really love strolling along and chatting with whoever is headed in my direction. The time is something I will have to get used to factoring into my schedule, but it is jolly good fun so far! (Trying to sound British, but it seems a bit forced)

Next week we start trying out classes so that should be interesting! Let me know what you think of all the smoking and if anyone actually has a pub on their campus!

Packing...

I've traveled before, so I did not imagine that packing would be that much of a challenge, but like usual it's the little things that add up to be too much! I am mostly packed as of now, and even have a backpack that has been left empty up until this point. The problem that's arising is that I have forgotten a few things, meaning I left some larger items (coats, boots, etc.) for last and now I'm not quite sure if they will fit in the remaining space!
Since I am studying abroad for an entire semester I really had to be selective about what I packed, plus the fact that I had to have clothes for all types of weather since I will be there from Winter and well into the Spring! Here's hoping my rain gear makes the cut!

This is what I contained myself to:
2 sweatshirts (one I will be wearing on the plane)
5 sweater (of varying weight)
12 bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, leggings)
3 pajama sets
6 long-sleeved shirts
6 t-shirts
10 blouses
6 camis
3 dresses
and 6 pairs of shoes

Now I think that is pretty good, but it still doesn't include jackets! I think I'm only going to bring 3, to stay reasonable!

If you are studying abroad or have before, please give me some pointers, I'd love to hear from you!

Welcome

In eighteen days I will be traveling to Ireland to start a semester abroad and this will be a blog about my adventures there!