Hello again everyone!  I have arrived safely in Ireland!

I feel like I have so much to write because of how many amazing  experiences I’ve had over the past week and a half.  I’ve never been so exhausted in my life, but I’ve also never seen and done as much as I have, either.  Ireland is beautiful, the people are lovely, and I’m adjusting better than I could have ever dreamed to.

Other than a few minor frustrations in the beginning, I’ve been settling in well.  Galway is extremely rainy and windy, but today is uncharacteristically sunny, so later I’m going to go into town for some dinner and exploring with my friends Mary and Kelly.  Kelly is also from Penn State while Mary is from the University of Vermont.  We all get along really well and seem to be adjusting to our new surroundings at the same rate, which allows us to help each other along when we need it.

We’ve also been making friends with Irish students.  Mary’s roommates are two girls named Kitty and Sally who are very friendly and welcoming.  Kitty is from County Kerry and Sally is from County Wicklow, but they travel back and forth from university to home using the bus or train system.  Most Irish students go back home on weekends because it is such a small country that they can easily travel anywhere.  While at home, they have the luxury of home cooked meals, the ability to do laundry for free, and quiet time without distractions for studying.  Their system is a lot different than the American university system.  Irish students study and go to class during the day, then socialize and go out on weeknights.  Then they devote their entire weekend to writing papers, studying for exams, etc.  I haven’t fully adjusted to their system since it’s only the first day of classes, but I will be sure to let you know how it all plays out once I experience how their habits work.

It has been funny so far to experience some unexpected things about Ireland, as well.  Most of the time I feel like I’m living in 1980’s or 1990’s America.  For instance, we use immersion heaters which only makes hot water available in the shower for about four hours per day.  The toilets here don’t have power flush options, and if flushed too often, they tend not to work for an hour or so at a time until they reset.  The faucets on the sinks are separate, so if you want to wash your face you have to fill up the sink, put a stopper in it, and go from there.  The washing machines and dryers are straight from 1984 – I have no idea how they’re still functioning.  Living here has definitely made me more aware of the immediacy of American fixtures and appliances!  But while it may have been unsettling and frustrating at first to get used to the way the Irish live, I’m really enjoying it.  It’s teaching me to have patience and to not take life as seriously as I would back home.  Everything in America is scheduled and there are a lot of expectations placed on individuals, while in Ireland, people tend to be much more forgiving if something goes wrong.

Also, I know that Ireland isn’t known for its culinary expertise, but I have had some really great food so far.  The other day, Mary, Kelly, and I split a fish and chips basket at a seaside restaurant, and it was made with fresh cod – so good!  I also had a pesto chicken ciabatta sandwich at the college bar which was so good I could have eaten four more.  The only strange things I’ve encountered so far have been black and white pudding (I didn’t even try them), strangely flavored yogurt (rhubarb, gooseberry, etc.), and probably a few more that I can’t think of right now.  But all of the food here is so fresh that most of it expires much sooner than in America – it’s most likely a lot more healthy for you, too.

I’d also like to mention that Ireland has the coolest events for both students and their general public.  Many pubs do karaoke nights (I sang three songs with some friends the other night – it was great!), traditional Irish music nights with Irish dancing, and tons of live bands and musicians.  Tomorrow night I’m going to a ceili, which is a traditional Irish dance.  I’m very excited for it and I’m sure it will provide me with a bit of fun before classes really start picking up the pace.

All in all, I can’t begin to explain how wonderful it feels to have a sort of family atmosphere here in Galway with people I just met not too long ago – we all eat together when possible and go into town to see what’s happening at pubs once we finish up with all of our university responsibilities.  Ireland’s pubs are some of the most relaxed and comfortable places I’ve ever been to… I’m thinking America should really start taking a hint!  I’m thoroughly convinced the world would be better off today if everyone adopted the mentality of the Irish in regard to how to treat one another and how to have a laugh.

Location: Galway City, Co. Galway, Ireland