Leaving Ireland

Nothing could be more bittersweet than leaving the beautiful country of Ireland. It's been four months and well I never would have imagined I'd experience all the adventures I've had here.

I really came to know the Irish landscape. I traveled all throughout the North, East, West, and of course the South. I saw Cork, Kinsale, Dublin, Limerick, Belfast, Galway and the Aran Islands. Not only did I travel in Ireland, but in England and Poland as well. I saw the Jack the Ripper Tour, England's National Wedding Show, the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Aushwitz, and Krakow. 

Not only have I explored the country, but who I am as well and I know I have grown as a person since coming here. I am now more independent. I ventured way out of my comfort zone. I went out on my own without the pack of girls in the beginning and made new friends. I constantly walk the streets at night alone without any fear. I crossed the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and didn't fall into the sea. I've tried "chips" with curry, mayo, and gravy on them. I had my first drink in a bar and my second and third. I went clubbing and stayed out until 3 am. I skipped class to play piggy in the middle. I've stood on the edge of a 100m cliff. I saw two concerts--Kormac and the Big Band and Mumford & Sons. And I've picked up on Cork slang even when I've tried my hardest to ignore it.

I even joined a club. I signed up for every club and society and chose the UCC Rovers or Scouts club. I joined and I have to admit it was one of the best decisions I ever made here. I made an exceptional group of friends that have introduced me to Irish culture, nights out, and all things new and exciting to me. Without them my abroad experience would not have been as amazing as it was. Luckily, I'll be seeing half of them this summer when they come to Maryland for their J1 so the goodbyes won't be too hard.

I'll have my memories of this country--the traveling, the landscape, school, friends, and Cork's night life. And of course who could forget I got engaged here. Studying abroad has been an eye opener to me. I've seen and I've grown and I could not be more thankful for the experience I've had here. So thank you Mom and Dad, Washington College, Cork, and all the friends I've made here for letting me Study Abroad at University College of Cork, Ireland. It's been grand.

Shannon

PS. I'm enjoying the time I'm spending back home with my family and will probably be MIA until January 14th. By then I promise I'll be posting regularly again. For now I'm soaking up all of life in order to have something to write about.