Seeing Ireland On The Horizons.

Well, I sent in my application yesterday to study in Galway, Ireland with API from June 20th to July 20th. According to UNC Asheville’s study abroad office, I’ll have no problem getting into the API program in Galway since I meet the GPA requirement. So, YAY! Ah, I am so excited. Actually, so so so so soooooo excited. It’s always been a dream of mine to travel and study in Ireland. To be able to experience Ireland’s beauty for myself…ah, amazing!

With excitement, though, comes the common nerves of traveling to a brand new place with no one that I know. I’m scared, but I think a certain amount of anxiety is good. If I wasn’t a little bit nervous, I’d be even more worried. Honestly, I think once I’m there and settled in, it’ll be great. I’ll get to experience a brand new place and meet people I never would have met if I didn’t have this opportunity. Plus, with the API program, excursions are included, and I’m so happy about that. As well as living and studying in Galway, Ireland for a month, I’ll have the chance to travel to different parts of Ireland in order to fully appreciate the Irish culture. Gosh I’m smiling just thinking about all of it!

I’ve always loved to travel, and since getting older and having the ability to travel on my own, I’ve taken advantage of it. The past 2 spring breaks I’ve flown to Texas to spend time with my aunt and uncle. I’ve taken road trips in order to visit friends that live farther up the East Coast. And I’ve loved every second of it. At the same time, I know that there is so much more that I have yet to see, and I can’t wait to experience it. I feel like traveling is a huge part of the college experience, and life in general really. I feel like it opens our eyes to all that the world has to offer, while also allowing us to “find ourselves” along the way.

I remember going to Peru for 12 days during my senior year in high school with a group of girls from Salem Academy. I was nervous, but it was amazing. I was able to see things I would’ve never seen otherwise, and I began to understand the difficulties that a third world country faces as opposed to what we’re faced with in the US. For instance, it’s hard to say you understand poverty until you see how people live in Peru. Though I knew things would be much different, it’s not something you truly grasp until you go to experience it yourself. So, my trip to Peru was eye-opening, and it helped me learn a lot about myself. After being in Asheville since August and watching myself change since I’ve been here, I can’t wait to travel to Ireland and be able to see how it changes my current outlook on life.