My time spent in Ireland I have had the opportunity to do some amazing things- things far beyond what I fathomed for myself. Of all those things though, my community outreach project was probably one of my favorites and easily the most rewarding.

I had the opportunity to work with children ages 5 to 10 and be a kid again myself. We worked on craft projects like painting clovers with marshmallows and making a little Easter rabbit out of a styrofoam cup. Playing with the kids was all in good fun and I really enjoyed that instant and easy bond you get from children, however my favorite part was meeting the workers at the day care. Many were around my age, but I really bonded with Ashley who is a year older than I and wants to go visit the United States. She loves her job, her boyfriend, and was born and raised about 20 minutes just on the other side of Spiddal.

Setting up this experience was (I’m not going to lie) extremely uncomfortable. We sort of just meandered our way to the Day Care and just walked right through the front door. In America nothing like that would have been able to happen- three strangers just walking up and into a day care in the middle of the day? The cops would have been definitely called, but they weren’t in this case and we met Ashley for the first time and then Jane Marie (the boss lady, which is literally what they all called her) we all chatted for just a bit then set up the dates exchanged emails and looked forward to seeing each other again.

March 28^th was when we went back to the Day Care to do our styrofoam bunny craft. The older kids there seemed pretty unimpressed by all of it but the younger kids really enjoyed themselves. We chatted with Ashley and Jane Marie for quite a bit and had some tea with them, eventually they called us a taxi and we went back to Park Lodge for the day. The next day we went it was down pouring so we showed up soaking wet which of course they thought was quite funny just because the Irish always carry umbrellas and we still haven’t learned that lesson almost 3 months into this. We stayed and chatted and had tea which made us late (a word no Irish person truly understands).

Overall it was an incredible experience being able to connect with the kids and Ashley and Jane Marie, and I will cherish those moments as well as my time spent here in Ireland.

Unfortunately due to the fact that we were working with children we were unable to take photographs at request of the staff of the daycare.

I climbed a mountain

I climbed a mountain. Well half of a mountain, which believe me when I say that in and of itself is a huge feat for me. None of us were exactly prepared for our little pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick.

On the cramped bus ride there we stopped to look at Croagh Patrick from afar, it seemed deceptively small in my eyes in comparison to the many drives through the Rocky Mountains I’ve done and my camping trip to the Grand Canyon this past summer. I remember thinking to myself, this is it? Upon arrival the appearance of Croagh Patrick was again misleading. I mean there was an Ice Cream stand and pub set up at the bottom so how bad could this place possibly be? It was a tad bit chilly so most of us (expecting leisurely trails and scenic stopping points) threw on our coats forgot our water bottles and began the hike.

Quickly we learned just how wrong we all were. The incline up the mountain at times was hands and feet crawling pace and the trail up the mountain was littered with loose rocks, boulders, streams, and slippery stones where the rain water had rushed through. Some of us couldn’t even make it half way to the half way point. We were shedding the layers of clothes that we were all so convinced we needed at the bottom and wishing we still had our water bottles. The support was overwhelming though from strangers; many times we passed by encouraging smiles and words of support.

Realistically I understood there was no way my out of shape butt was going to get me clear to the top, but through the persistent and sometimes annoying (in the best way) reassurance from my friend Carly I slowly made my way to the half way point. We picked smaller goals so that the dip which indicated the half way point seemed less overwhelming. Make it to that third boulder on the left and then that first one in the middle and then gradually the dip got closer and closer until finally I pulled myself up and over the last little bit to reach the half way point.

The halfway point may seem like such a small thing but to me personally standing there gasping for the cold air and looking out over the valley I felt like I hadn’t felt that accomplished personally in my strength in a long time. Truly an amazing experience for me.  

Good Craic (Social Life in Ireland)

Please don't be alarmed by the title I promise that crack and craic mean two different things in Ireland (also that's how you pronounce craic by the way). Good craic is what the Irish use to describe something that is good fun, and has become a easy descriptor to use for my time spent here so far.
Pubs are a cornerstone in Irish social life, and not just in the ways you might be thinking- people of ALL ages still go out to the bars. Unless you are in a late night club there really isn't such a thing as a "old person place" and a "younger person place", around here they gladly cater to all. Pubs are a place of community assembly, especially in Spiddal the small little town we reside in. It is where the community goes to discuss politics (which we learned in this past election week), to complain about certain tax prices, or just to simply meet up and talk about the weather. If you are looking to make quick friends with the locals or find a quiet place to escape and do your homework while in Ireland the pubs are where you need to go. Also it should be noted that going to the pubs here is like going to a community event, you are going to get drunk or make a fool of yourself you are going to socialize and enjoy each others company. It is simple and easy to make friends in Ireland, people are always welcoming whereas in the states when you are with friends out you would tend to ignore the creepy people who try to talk to you- here though that is where you find the best conversations. They aren't creepy they're friendly and overall you learn a good life lesson with every bar mate you find.

Language Barriers

Here in Ireland we are rather lucky in the fact that there is quite a lack of language barriers. I however will not forget the experience of walking through the airport at 6am looking for a sign that says “GO HERE” and realizing there wasn’t one. All the signs are first in Gaelic (or as they call it Irish here) and then secondly in English. It takes a bit getting used to and it is absolutely terrifying when you first walk off the plane, but like most things it gets better.

In fact just today I came across my own personal language barrier for the first time. For our Special Topics class we have to do a community outreach service learning project and so Carly, Kellie, and I all walked down to what would be comparable to a pre-school. We walked in spoke to the supervisor Ashley for a bit and then waited for the manager to come in. When she finally arrived immediately she and Ashley started speaking Irish to one another, fast and fluently I might add. It was the first time in Ireland that I didn’t really understand what exactly was happening in and exchange between two people, it was both a learning experience and EXTREMELY uncomfortable.

Gaelic just in general is a very difficult language to learn. They use sounds that not just mentally but also almost physically is hard for me and my American mouth to understand. I mean yes all our mouths are formed relatively the same way, but for 20 some odd years of my life I have never had to make the sound like I was coughing up phlegm in order to form a word and now suddenly I’m here in class with 16 other people absolutely butchering this poor language. I have also

noticed that most of it doesn’t directly translate to English so it’s a lot of round about speaking in a sense. They have much richer details, like the name of my blog for example- Aiteall means a perfect endless spring, but they also have several other words for spring whereas in America we have, well Spring. Overall the barriers aren’t enough for you not to appreciate how amazing the language is and how much people have bent over backwards to save it. It is tied so closely (especially where we are located) with the people and the culture. Most only speak it in school, but all are ever so proud of their enduring language and after a month here in Ireland I can understand why.

A day in the life.

It’s strange to me how quickly you pick up new patterns in life. After a month here on this beautiful green island things that once were astounding every time I saw them (like the ocean) are now simple everyday pleasures. I’m enjoying this slower pace much more than I expected too- not jumping from meeting to meeting, not dashing from job to job, charging into each deadline hoping I make it. Life is quite quiet here- in a very new and exciting way.

                A typical day consists of waking up around 8am, Marissa (a cottage mate of mine) and I are usually the first up; slowly by 9:30am though most of us are trickling out of our rooms rummaging for deodorant, makeup, coats, and breakfast. I grab my computer and a cup on my way out the door, because usually someone brings coffee, milk, and sugar to class. Classes aren’t necessarily hard here, I really enjoy them actually, but it has been three years since I had to stay seated and paying attention for more than 75 minutes; classes are around 4 hours and you get breaks but still it can be intense. After class most of us grab a blanket and a snack and find some room in front of the fire place for a nap. Sometimes we meander to Spiddal (about a 30 minute walk) - mostly for the queso at Thigh Giblin (which I absolutely recommend), or some a burger, fries, shake, and sprite at Supermacs (the Sprite is literally ALWAYS out of syrup fair warning). Sometimes though we call a taxi and head into Galway to roam around Shop Street (I suggest Taaffes, Kings Head, Quays, and Roughing Dubh- all good craic). Mostly though we nap.

                Weekends are built for travel though so take full advantage of your field trips and put some slight research into the towns/cities you’re going to so you have an idea on what to do with your days away from the group. Free weekends are good as well- on the Ryanair app for your phone you can put flying out of Shannon to Anywhere with a budget of 50 euro.

                The people though, that is what makes this simple little daily life so amazing. You sleep with them, you go out with them, you go to class with them, you travel with them, you share with them, you eat with them- literally you are with them all of the time, and that’s why they are such a principal aspect of daily life at the Park Lodge. You don’t expect it after all the Facebook stalking you do, and the somewhat awkward mandatory first meetings- but they do, they make this. Whether its homesickness and you need them to get you out of the cottage for some air and a look at the ocean, or midnight moon walks on rare cloudless nights, or surprise birthday parties, or just simply lounging around on the cottage floor in front of the fire place you grow with these people who you probably would have never met in your life had you not decided to take this leap. You find inside jokes, things you wish you never would have found out, things that absolutely annoy you, things they bring out in you that you never saw in yourself, you find this family with these people and it’s incredible. I wish I could find the words to describe the type of family you gain when you study abroad- truly this experience, my personal experience would have been completely different had it not been for them.

Our rocky rockin' ferry ride. Cold and wet, but spent with the best of people.

The best investment of the trip so far: Stylin' waterproof tourist pants.

Looking down from the cliffs into the ocean, breathtaking.

Dublin and The Aran Islands

Well it’s been a busy week for me here. Headed out to the Aran Islands, which began quite miserably with a rough and busy ferry ride. Our hostel (much like everywhere else in Ireland) lacked warmth and it was rainy and cold. We walked out Dun Aonghasa though and never in my life have I felt so small. It was like standing on the edge of the world, you lay on your stomach and you scoot to the edge and feel the air and water splashing up from the waves of the ocean smashing against the cliffs. The locals as always are very kind and excited to share on the history of the island so be sure if your ever out there to ask around for it. Also waterproof pants is going to cost you around 10 euro but believe you me- it is going to be your greatest investment of your Ireland time.

We also spent some time in Dublin- that was an excellent little lesson in navigation for the group, which trust me is much harder than it looks. We went to Kilmainham Geol which was very sobering- learning and physically being at the place which sparked this uprising for an entire country. I learned about Constance Markievicz who is now my soul sister- if you have never heard of her I really recommend you look her up as soon as you can. She was basically a woman of great intellect that showed the boys how it was done and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. We also wandered around Christ Church which is where the show the Tudors was filmed partly, I of course didn’t learn of this till after so I will definitely be returning to nerd out more after the program is over.

If you are considering studying in Ireland...

If you’re thinking about studying in Ireland:

Understand that the drinking culture is really closely intertwined with their history. There’s really amazing historic pubs all across Ireland- You might even have a class in the Kingshead pub in Galway! (Rumored to be where the man who decapitated Charles I lived after Charles’s death.) In other words keep an open mind and live the history!

Your group will become very close very fast – Remember freshman year living in the dorms when even if you had absolutely nothing in common with the person across the hallway, you still walk to class together every single day. Yeah, it’s a lot like that. Together these are the people who are going to make this trip – you will be together for so many firsts and there will be plenty of sleepovers, snacking, and late night ocean walks shared.

Speaking of late night ocean walks – you live near the ocean, and it is so amazing.

If you want my advice do a family (cottage) dinner together every night and split the grocery bill. You’re going to save money, plus it’s a pretty cozy kitchen so there isn’t much cabinet space for everyone to buy a dozen eggs. PLUS: you get the added benefit of learning the basics of cooking from one another and get in some serious bonding time.

The walk to Spiddal is only as bad as you make it. I’m sure this isn’t the first blog post you’ve read that has mentioned it- get a group of friends, play music, talk, and huff it- really you’ll be fine.

Also for those of you who are considering this trip and are differently abled you might find it hard to book hostels, go into pubs, go down to the beach, etc. Ireland I have noticed is not very handicap accessible; but I never want to discourage anyone from this amazing trip though.

Last but not least – this isn’t easy (well for some it might be) you’re going to be homesick, you’re going to miss Qdoba queso and gyro’s and your typical coffee order at Barista’s – BUT it’s worth it, you find the good queso at Thi Giblin in Spiddal, really cute tea and sandwiches in Cork, and Kebab’s on Shop Street in Galway and best yet is that you’re enjoying it all from Ireland.

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin (Home sweet home or more directly translated as there's no home like my home)

ALSO: Cool fact- in Irish (Gaelic) they don't have a word for owning anything- you can say something is with you but you cannot say you own anything.. #deep

The Locals

Spiddal has been described to me as mostly a summer location where people from the bustling cities in Ireland head down during June-August to enjoy a quiet warm seaside country escape. The locals however stick around the rain, wind, and flooding of the fall, winter, and spring months. Think of your typical rural Nebraska town then add some funny accents and better beer and you basically have Spiddal. The locals are best described and hardworking and quick witted. They’ll show you where the post office is but have a bit of a laugh at you for having to ask- so bring a thicker skin (both to fair the light hearted banter and cold Atlantic winds). They are especially interested in the ideas of branding, “ponies” (horses), and the amount of land/guns you own. Top asked questions of this trip so far:

1.       American?

2.       Where’s Nebraska?

3.       Are you voting for this Trump fellow?

Fair warning to those who are heading this direction soon, READ UP ON CURRENT EVENTS- I like to consider myself well read on politics and the happenings of the states, trust me Irish people know more and they will ask you about it and you will feel like an idiot not being able to hold your own in those conversations.

Overall I consider my interactions with a man named Shamus as the prime example of the locals: He was an older man who asked me the top three questions which got us talking. He asked about land and then about cattle, talked about how he was born in the same spot he watches TV at, he drinks 3 pints of Guinness every night “for good health”, loves his Irish soap operas, smokes like a chimmey, and before he left I bought him two fingers of Jamieson and he patted my head and offered to take me salmon fishing when the waters warm up. Like I said funny accents and better beer- but still with an aftertaste of Nebraska life.

My amazing roommates enjoying our first ever supper in Ireland- Squash Soup! So glad I got stuck with these amazing women!

Trash

I'm in tears walking through security at the Omaha airport after one long and heartbreaking goodbye and all of these TSA agents are looking at me with indifference and annoyance written all over there face, I get on the plane eventually make my way to Newark then finally to Shannon (Ireland), the entirety of my trip being in this surreal state, almost dreamlike; "Is this actually happening?" "No way is this happening." "Oh my god what am I doing???" etc. Finally we land, we shuffle onto a bus, and we drive an hour or so to get to our chilly little cottages that almost feel like home. Now, let me fast forward a bit- it's our first chance walking into Spiddal which according to Emily's fitbit is 1.9 miles away, on this "sidewalk" (footpath) we're walking along and suddenly I see trash on the side of the road. It's shiny, looks like the lid off of some tin can, it had been there awhile, there was some moss growing over it from the rain, the best way to describe it is literally just garbage. My group's ahead of me huffing it to town and I slow a bit and look at this piece of trash, and I realize I have no clue where this piece of trash is from. There's nothing in my own knowledge to compare it too, it's completely commonplace item. This piece of tin is so commonplace in fact that someone just threw it out the window, because there's probably thousands exactly like it- and here I am baffled by this piece of litter in the road. Then it hits me, almost all at once- This is the first time I'm seeing something/learning something new- not learning in a text book, life lesson sense- but learning as in an almost infantile sense of what something is (a cow goes moo, a stove is hot, etc). I'm in someplace completely new, totally different, and I don't know the half of it. I don't even understand what the hell this piece of litter is. I resign to move past it, keep up with the group and explore town. This small piece of trash though- it brought to the pit of my stomach this sense of undertaking (and trust me that makes about as much sense to me as it does you). Something is happening, I don't know what, but I'm sure I will find out in time.