How have you changed personally?

I feel that the world has been opened to me. I feel a sense of wanting to travel more and getting to know other cultures. Before this trip I’ve dreamed of studying abroad and traveling outside the country, but did not act on those feelings. If it had not been for Carlow University offering this program I would probably still only be dreaming about traveling outside the country. I am no longer afraid to step out and try new things and/or expose myself to the unfamiliar. I also feel wiser since being abroad. My perspective has been changed in many ways when it comes to humanity in this country and the way we care for people. Also the meaning we place on work and family.

How has your professional/academic goals changed?

Since studying abroad my professional goals have changed in terms of the population of clients that I would like to work with. Prior to studying abroad I had a very strong preference to work with children and adolescents. After being in Ireland and working with the special needs population, which at my site was adult women in a day program. I have gained an interest in possibly working with the special needs population here in the states and also working with adults. As far as academics are concerned I am wishing for another opportunity to study abroad. I wish there was another class that I could substitute, so that I can go again. What I learned during my exploration in Ireland, contact with the locals, and placement cannot be taught in a classroom.

What self-discovery surprised you?

I have always been referred to as strong and independent, but I did not recognize it until I studied abroad. I realized that I have a sense of determination that will not allow anyone or anything to get in my way of accomplishing my dreams/ goals.

How did you navigate through your fears and apprehensions that you had prior to studying abroad?

I really did not have any fears or apprehensions about studying abroad. My biggest concern was being informed in a timely manner about what was planned for the trip, having the itinerary, and knowing what I needed to pack.

How has studying abroad impacted your view of the world?

Studying abroad has impacted my view of the world by showing me that there are different ways to live and enjoy life. I learned that it is important to stop and take the time to listen to others. I also learned that you should slow down in life and learn to enjoy and appreciate every moment. As Americans we rush too much and spend too much time working. Not enough time enjoying life.

Single greatest benefit of studying abroad?

The single greatest benefit to studying abroad is learning about another country, the customs, and the people. There are many nationalities in the world we live in along with many languages and customs. It is important to take the time to learn from each other. If more people worked together we might be able to find ways to resolve some of the world problems and be able to make this world a better place.

What was your favorite experience and why?

My favorite experience was working at my placement site. It was difficult for me to switch my way of thinking. I was focused on the productivity and justification of what was being done and why.  This is what I am trained to do at work daily. I have a hard time accepting the way that things were run at my site. I found it difficult to just sit and talk with the “service users” initially. Once I figured out how to accept what was in front of me and accepting the difference in how they value worth I was able to enjoy myself and embrace the “service users” I was working with. At that point I felt valuable.

What advice would you give to future participants?

For future participants I would suggest letting go of what you know and what you feel is right and being open to learning a new way of living. See the world in a different light. Embrace a new culture.

Would you study abroad again? Where? Why?

I would definitely study abroad again. I am not sure where I would want to go. I would do it to continue to discover things about myself and also to get a chance to continue learning about another culture and their ways. 

As the saying goes all good things must come to an end. We are now 2 days from returning home. Today was my last day at placement. It was sad to say good-bye. I feel that within this last week the relationships I had been working on developing finally formed. I'm truly going to miss the ladies (service users) there and the bonds that were made.

 

As I look back over the trip I would say that first and foremost May 26th in Dublin was my favorite day. Naturally that is  because I celebrated my 32nd birthday there. I never would have imagined celebrating my birthday in another country. My highlights would be the beautiful train ride there. I also enjoyed walking down Grafton Street shopping and watching the street performers. Then later that evening hanging out in Temple Bar and ringing in my actual birthday at midnight dancing and having fun at Thunder Road.

 

My next favorite trip/ experience was climbing Mt. Croagh Patrick. This was no easy feat and I was able to safely accomplish it. Initially I was not even sure if I wanted to climb it to the top. I had the attitude of “we’ll see what happens.” And as it turned out I went all the way. During this hike there was a strong sense of comradery among the group. We were supportive of each other and worked together to make sure we made it up the mountain. There came a point in which I became tired and wanted to give up (we had about another 20 minutes to go), but was given encouragement by the group and strangers to keep going. On the day we climbed it was a thick fog/ mist on the mountain closer to the top. At one point it started to rain or else we walked into the thick mist, which made me cold and wet, but I kept going. With each corner we turned I hoped we were at the top, but sadly realized we had ways to go. When it was clear enough to see up the road ahead of you the people looked so tiny because of how far away they were from where we were. All the perseverance paid off in the end. I now have an even stronger sense of being able to accomplish whatever I put my mind to.

 

I don't know why my last post looks like jibberish on the menu page, but it's there once you click on it. I don't know how to fix it so oh well.

One more week and I will be on my way back home. This journey has been bitter sweet. I have been enjoying my time here, but at the same time I am missing home. I am actually surprised by how much I miss the ones I love and my daily routine back there.

Here a typical day for me has consisted of me waking up around 7:15am and getting dressed and having a quick breakfast before I go to my placement in town. Around 8:45am myself and another girl walk down the street to catch the bus.

 I only ride the bus into town and then I get off at the first stop. Initally this was done at the suggestion of the bus driver, since he would have been getting to my placement a little later. Once I get off the bus I have a short walk through town, which I enjoy. I tend to walk different ways to my placement in the mornings, so that I can explore the city. Occassionaly I will stop for coffee and a snack.

 Upon arriving to my placement site I will sit down and talk with the service users while they are having their morning tea, coffee, and biscuits. Once that is finished the service users all go to their assigned work area to being working on either contract work or an art activity/ craft of their choice. During this time I make my way around to the different service users and sit down and talk with them. I may even assist with the activity depending on what it is. There have also been days that I have ran activities. There was one day in which I initiated boardgames with the service users. On another occassion we made jewelery out of beads. Sometimes I need to help the service users work through conflicts they are having with some of the service users at the site.

At lunch time occassionally I will stay inside and eat, however most days I go out for lunch so that I can continue to explore the city. During that time I have been stopping in the different shops around town. I have also been eating in different cafes. I will usually stop in the ones with wifi, so that I can check my email and facebook.

After lunch I return to the placement and continue to talk with the service users and work with them. There have been days in which we have gone to fun fitness class in the afternoon. However usually the afternoon is conducted much like the morning. I tend to leave my site at 4:00pm. Sometimes I will ride the bus back home. If it is nice outside I tend to walk. On days when we have plans to go site seeing in the evenings I will leave at 3:00pm, so I have time to change and get ready. If there is nothing planned then I will take my time walking back home. I may stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things.

Once back home in the evenings when no outings are planned I will hangout with the other students on the trip. If I am tired that may consist of eating dinner and sitting around watching tv and talking. If I feel up to it I will accompany them into town for a night out.

That pretty much sums up a typical day for me. It really just depends on what is on the schedule. I like to make sure that I am getting a proper nights rest, so that I am able to function the next day. It is easy to lose track of time here because it doesn't get dark until after 10:00pm.