Author Archives: lkw5075

Howth, Ireland Day Trip!

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This is a photo of two friends and myself during a day trip in Howth, Ireland! Howth is a little fishing village North of Dublin. It was absolutely beautiful. It was one of the first trips that we took outside of Dublin. We spent the first two weeks really exploring the city and finding our way around.
We left for Howth early morning on Friday and arrived about an hour later. It was my first experience using the train and I was so excited. The tiny village was absolutely beautiful and we were lucky enough to go on a nice day. We went with a group of about 12 people and had an absolutely brilliant time. You become so close, so quickly to the people you study with, I’ve already made some amazing friends.
We spend about 4 hours walking around taking pictures, feeding seals and exploring the town. The main road was right on the coast and was sea food after sea food after sea food restaurant! We ended up going to a place called ‘The Bloody Stream,’ as disgusting as the name sounds the food was delicious! Anybody studying in Ireland should make the trip to Howth and try it out. My biggest advice to those just making it to their cities: explore everywhere in your country! You never know what it has to offer! Learn all about your city and meet locals to tell you where to go and where to stay away.
We are just starting to plan trips outside of Co. Dublin! A trip to Galway is in the works right now! I want to explore Ireland as much as I can before I make it over to the main land Europe. It is such a beautiful country with so much to offer. I have trips planned in the next few weeks to Scotland, Sweden and Belgium! Every city in Europe is so unique and different I wish I could visit every one while I am here!
Hope everyone’s studies are going well and can’t wait to read about them!
Cheers!

Location: Dublin 2, Ireland

2 Weeks in Dublin!

I can not believe I have already been here for two weeks. I’ve just ended my first full week of classes and they are AMAZING. They all focus on different aspects of the Irish culture and history of Ireland. I am focusing on Peace and Conflict Studies between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland. These classes are absolutely fascinating. 

Yesterday, our professor took us on a two hour walking tour of Dublin. We saw the back-roads and hidden communities and learned about what it means to live in a city. The classes here are not typical classes that you would take at an American University. Another class involves guest speakers coming in and talking about the ‘Troubled Times,’ every week. The things I am learning here are far beyond what I would have ever expected.
When classes are over for the day, most of us end up at one of the local pubs for a pint and a bite to eat. We have tried to engage as much as we can with the locals! Make sure you do this if you are planning on coming abroad! They will tell you where to go and what to stay away from! The nightlife here is amazing. After leaving the pubs, walking down the main street, people play live music everywhere.
Last week three friends of of mine from the program and I went to the Guinness Factory! That was really, really interesting. We got to learn about the history of Guinness, were certified on pouring ‘the Perfect Pint of Guinness,’ – which is actually a lot harder than it looks and made it to the gravity bar up top which is a big glass room with 360 views of Dublin.
I’m starting to learn the ins and outs of Dublin and I’m learning how to get around. It’s exciting that I’m able to call Dublin my home!
Things are starting to get really exciting. We have trips planned to Wales, Scotland, Sweden and Galway in the nest coming weeks! I’ll be sure to post pictures once I figure out how to charge my camera here!
Sl�inte!

Location: Dublin 2, Ireland

Hello, Dublin!

I have safely survived my first flight and landed in Ireland no problems! I was so nervous getting on the plane. I ended up loving it! I had my own TV, a blanket, a pillow and headphones! I made it to Germany and had no problems getting onto my connecting flight! I did hear some horror stories from other students whose flights were delayed or cancelled or missed. So glad that didn’t happen to me!

When I got to the airport I took a cab with my roommate to my apartment which is BEAUTIFUL. A two-story flat in Dublin with a spiral staircase. I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.

The first night there we went out with our group to a pub called ‘The Barge,’ we got to meet and talk to a bunch of locals who told us the best places to go, the least touristy places to go and where to absolutely avoid. The Irish love Americans! The think we are ‘grand’ and ‘brilliant’. It’s so interesting to hear all of the slang. Sometimes it’s almost impossible to understand!

And who knew things would be so different here! We went to the grocery store the first day and didn’t realize you had to pay for carts so we ended up taking fruit boxes and putting all of our food in them because we didn’t have 2 euro. We also didn’t realize you needed to pay 20 cent for bags so we had to carry everything home in the boxes! At least we all got a good laugh about it.


This week was filled with information sessions, get-to-know-you introductions and lots of coffee breaks! I was falling asleep (along with everyone else_ during orientation because everyone is so jet-lagged. It’s funny because the directors of IES just laughed because they are so used to it. I got a croissant on the morning of orientation from this little Brazilian coffee shop down the road where they had these amazing little treats. The next morning I went back and the little old Irish man who works there knew I was coming back for more and made me two! On the house! I was so excited. The people here are so incredibly friendly!


So far I have absolutely fallen in love with Ireland! If you’re in Europe make sure you stop here! It wont disappoint you!

Location: Dublin 2, Ireland

Six Days to Go!

Hello everyone and Happy Holidays!

So I have six days to go until I step into my first airport and onto my first plane. I’m just now starting to tie up all the lose ends I have (except packing – because I still have no clue what to pack despite all the packing lists I have gotten, any suggestions?!). I finished my last day of work today and said goodbye to some of my best friends from Penn State. It’s going to be so sad saying goodbye to my family but everyone keeps reminding me that this is what I have always wanted to do!
I spent the last two days exploring around my favorite city – New York City (that is my favorite until I venture out into the European cities). It’s such a big city and having been there more times than I can count I still get lost every time I go! I envy those who can walk around and know the city like the back of their hands. I hope that when I move to Dublin, I can make it like my second home.
I found one of my roommates for Dublin on facebook and we Skype’d a few days ago. It definitely eased a lot of my worries. We plan on traveling together on the weekends and it got me so excited! We also found out our housing assignments and looked on google maps to see where we were living and the nearby pubs and shops and attractions. We can’t wait!
My roommate from Penn State is also going to be in Dublin on vacation. We are planning on going to the Guiness Factory for a tour and exploring around for one night while she is still there. 
So excited to read about everyone’s first weeks abroad!
Good luck!

Location: Little Silver, New Jersey

One month & counting!

Hey everyone!
I’m not really sure how to start off this blog! I think the best way would be for a little introduction.
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That’s me! Lauren Weaver, I am a junior at Penn State studying Journalism and International Studies. I am from a small town on the Jersey Shore, Little Silver and have never been anywhere off the East Coast before.
Today is officially one month until I arrive in Dublin for my study abroad program. A flood of emotions has washed over me in the past month, trying to decide how I feel about leaving. Aside from excitement, I am in absolute terror, I hope this is a normal feeling.
I have always been somewhat of an adventure seeker, an explorer and spontaneous. It surprises all of my friends when I tell them that I haven’t even stepped on a plane yet! I am leaving for three and a half months and plan on traveling throughout Europe A LOT during my stay. I have always dreamed of traveling (I work for a travel company) and seeing every part of the world that I can while I am still young. I love learning different facts about other cultures unfamiliar to me and cannot wait to see how I adapt into the Irish culture. I love the music, the writing, the atmosphere…everything I have learned, and writing.
My journey abroad is a completely new experience and while I am leaving a lot behind, I plan on returning an independent, cultured person with memories that only a small percent of people will experience.
I hope that those of you studying in other countries will follow me during my journey! Good luck to all of you and I hope to read some great entries about your experiences!

Location: 616 East College Ave., State College, PA 16801