Student Bloggers

Spending my last two weeks in Minnesota has been odd! I won’t miss scraping ice off car windshields, but I will miss my family, and my closet. I’ve been struggling with how to pack for studying abroad, and getting through the “What Ifs” of needing that second pair of black boots. I’ve always been the type of person to appreciate a variety for my closet, so I need to limit myself; thus begins the path of challenges I’ll face in the coming 5 months.

I’ve also pulled out my family genealogy book to learn about my Irish heritage. The book includes plenty of pictures, too, so I’ve been sharing great moments with my family as we look at pictures of our ancestors together. It makes me feel a little less nervous about going to a place where I won’t know anyone! I know it will be quite a change from my smaller university campus, especially since I’ll be living off campus.

I’m both excited and nervous for classes at Trinity. I’ll be taking a lighter semester than at home, but I’m used to having continuous homework, quizzes or tests. As an actuarial student, I’m no stranger to extensive or cumulative exams, but having only one final exam grade for a class is intimidating. It will be strange to have a semester off from derivatives, probability functions, and all things math related, but I’ll be spending my time exploring.

I’m most looking forward to the European food, 1) for my Instagram account and 2) to actually eat. All my friends who studied abroad in various regions in Europe rave about the crepes, pasta, and gelato. Carbs, here I come! Although I’m not a big fan of beer, I’m excited to try Guinness and other ales at the pubs. I’ve heard that nothing quite compares to an authentic Irish Guinness! I’ll be making up for the gorging by doing lots of walking - today I watched a video of the walk to campus from my future apartment. Living at UST has spoiled me, because I’m used to walking less than 10 minutes to class. However, I’m also used to the 0 degree Fahrenheit weather, so walking in 40 degree weather will be refreshingly warm.

I’d like to end my first post with a bucket list for my time abroad, in no particular order:

1. Learn at least 50 words in a different language(s)
2. Attend a traditional Irish dance show
3. Drink a Guinness
4. Learn the European rail system
5. Travel to London, Paris, and Rome
6. Read a book written by an Irish author
7. Pick up some Irish slang (to impress my friends at home)
8. Get lost and navigate my way home on my own
9. Play an Irish sport
10. Kiss the Blarney Stone for my grandma
11. Visit the Waterford Crystal factory
12. Meet a member of the band One Direction (ok, I realize this MIGHT be a bit of a stretch but a girl can always hope - Niall did attend TCD for a semester...)
13. Make lifelong friends and travel buddies :)