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.