May 9
Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
It’s an odd feeling, really. I’m sitting in my room with my suitcases half packed. I’m organizing my paperwork and making sure everything is in order. I’m cleaning my apartment, to make sure that everything is in order for me to leave.
Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
One of the great things about studying abroad is that it not only presents you with an opportunity, but it presents your family with one as well. My family visited at the end of March and beginning of April. I was so excited. I had been missing them, and although Skype is a great tool, it’s not the same as seeing them in person. We had a great time traveling around Ireland together, and I was very excited to show them my life abroad.
Emily Cable is a student at the University of Rhode Island and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emily is currently studying abroad with Interstudy in Dublin, Ireland.
The cave entrance from inside!
While in Kilkenny we had the chance to go visit the Dunmore Cave. This cave is a long connection of limestone chambers that are over one million years old. The ceilings are covered in stalactites and underneath are their constant companions, the stalagmites.
Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
When you study abroad, there is a chance that your family will visit you. My family visited a couple of weeks ago, and I was so excited to share my Irish experience with them. While they were here, I learned many things about acting as a host in a country that you’re studying in. So, here are the things that I learned, I hope that they come in handy for you all one day!
Emily Cable is a student at the University of Rhode Island and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emily is currently studying abroad with Interstudy in Dublin, Ireland.
Bodhrán with cipín (tipper) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you ever decide to come to Ireland, make sure you find the time to visit one of the numerous Irish Pubs. Whether in Dublin, Cork, or Galway, it doesn’t matter where you go, you can find great company, great fun, and great music.
Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
Hurling is one of Ireland‘s national sports. “What is hurling?” you may ask, well, that’s kind of tough to answer. It’s advertised as “The fastest sport on the grass” and there is a lot of truth behind that statement. Think of Hurling as a cross between baseball, hockey, lacrosse, with a dash of American Football thrown in. Then add wooden sticks and a small wooden ball covered with leather, and players wearing no protection but helmets. Tada: Hurling. What I find extraordinary about Hurling is that it is a completely amateur sport. The men that are playing this game aren’t playing for money. Oh no. They’re playing for the pride of their county. I think that’s admirable, since it seems like a pretty dangerous sport. But don’t let the fact that it’s an amateur sport fool you, these guys are tough. I saw hits that would knock out the best professional Football or Hockey players, and the victims got up and played the game!
Emily Cable is a student at the University of Rhode Island and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emily is currently studying abroad with Interstudy in Dublin, Ireland.
It was raining and snowy and cold, but that didn’t stop us!
As everyone knows, St. Patrick’s Day is a hugely important holiday in Ireland. It celebrates Saint Patrick who, hundreds of years ago, was believed to drive all the snakes from the island of Ireland.
Emily Cable is a student at the University of Rhode Island and an ISA Featured Blogger. Emily is currently studying abroad with Interstudy in Dublin, Ireland.
The whole group from Dublin and Cork. That’s me in the middle.
This weekend I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Kilkenny where we were able to take a tour of the beautiful Kilkenny Castle that sits atop a hill and looks over the town.
Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
Having a bit of craic with my fellow ISAers.
When I first applied to study in Ireland, the one thing that went through my mind was, “At least I’ll be able to understand them! They speak English!” While it is true that it is easier to communicate with people because they do speak English, it’s also hard, because the slang is different here. It’s almost like another language! I have heard expressions here that I did not know existed, and I’ve learned that some common American words are not as appropriate in Ireland as they are in America. So, I thought that I would share some of the slang terms that I have learned, and am starting to use, over here.
As a quintessential American, I love to soak in the sights and the old buildings. That is one thing that Irish people find so funny about us; we gawk at their castles and churches.
