Kelli
Monheiser
Blog-
Week 12
Ireland Study Abroad 2015 is
quickly coming to an end. As I reflect back on it, there are some good things
and some bad things. There are some things that I wouldn’t change for the
world, but some that seem to have been a waist of time. Things that I am very
thankful for, and some things that have been less than necessary, however, the
trip as a whole was something that I will continue to look back on at every
stage of my life and both be thankful, and changed by. I have said it several
times before, but the three months that you spend in Ireland offer more than
simply education and adventure. They give you an opportunity to grow as an
individual and learn on your own. They teach you how to handle situations
without the constant help from others and that to me was what I found to be the
most rewarding. But there are stipulations. If you are one that can’t go weeks
without talking to your parents, then studying abroad may not be for you. If
you are one that needs WIFI to function in everyday life, then Ireland Study Abroad
is not for you. If you constantly need a friend or family member to help you
make decisions, then Ireland Study Abroad is not for you. If a hot shower is a
deal-breaker, then well, Ireland Study Abroad is definitalyyyyy not for you. If
you are a very routine person, well then there may be better choices than
Ireland Study abroad. If you are a family person, and leaving your family is a
scary thought to you, then leaving them behind for three months will be hard and
Ireland Study Abroad may not be for you.
With that being said, if you feel
like you are able to leave those things behind then Ireland Study Abroad will
be the most rewarding thing that you have ever done. It is one of the most
beautiful places that I have ever seen- especially as it gets warm toward the
beginning of summer. It has a great deal of history and there is never enough
to talk about. It is a country with great nightlife, and I can tell you now,
you’ll never be thirsty. It is fairly cheap compared to other places in Europe.
It is definitely worth it if you decide it is something you could do.
Since I have been here, there are a
few things that I wish that I had done differently. So I share them with you in
hopes that you may not make the same mistakes. First off, it is cold. Plan for
a Nebraska winter and then a little colder. It is wet and a lot of the tours
that you are on will be outside so it gets pretty chilly. Also, bring several
different coats because you wear them all the time and then pretty soon, people
will begin to wonder if you even change clothes from your pictures. Secondly,
don’t plan to dress so nice because you will dress up rarely. In fact, for most
classes, we wore our sweats and t-shirts. Next, do your research. Try and plan
the things that you want to see before coming here because time flies when
you’re here and tickets may be more expensive. Try and bring something that you
do for yourself. If painting is your hobby, bring something to do for yourself
to keep you sane during all your free time, because there is pleantyyyyy of
that and lets be honest, you will need to get away from people. Bring a bottle
of ranch because it is nowhere to be found in this country. Try to get your
student advising and classes figured before you come in February if possible,
because if not, it is a lot of work on your part. Don’t eat out a lot because
that is where the trip begins to get expensive. If you do have to, get the soup
and bread. They love their soup over here, but don’t forget to treat yourself
sometimes. Those are just a few of the tips that I have for someone planning to
do the study abroad experience. Just remember it will be one of the best things
that you will ever do. Simply life changing, but there is a lot more to take
into consideration than just seeing the world. You have to give up your car,
endless electricity, showers on demand, family, cell phones, friends, work,
WIFI, boyfriends, Qdobas, Walmart, TV, and about a million other things. It is
a decision that takes big commitment and you should know what you’re getting
yourself into.


