Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Getting to Galway

Living in Ireland has been a goal of mine since I was in elementary school. I was raised in a very Irish American family so I grew up knowing and learning a lot about the Irish culture. As I got older, I started to explore the Irish way of life on my own. I tried to teaching myself the Irish language, I immersed myself in Irish literature, television programs, and films, and I began following the Irish newspapers online to keep up with the daily events in the country.

This obsession led me to plan studying abroad in the Spring of my Junior year. I knew I would be doing this even before I knew what college I was going to. Upon deciding on Stockton, I met with the study abroad advisor each year to ensure that my dream would become a reality. It was finally time to begin the application process the second semester of my Sophomore year. I was excited, but I was also very nervous.

My freshman year I had taken part in Stockton's Holocaust and Genocide Studies Faculty Led Program to Poland. Lithuania, and Germany. This two week trip was my first time out of the country. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had and I'm still in awe when I think about everything I saw and learned.

The next summer, I enrolled in Stockton's Hospitality and Tourism Management Faculty Led Program to Rome and Florence, Italy. This class was just as amazing as my first international experience but for many different reasons. Being a literature major, it wasn't at all related to my immediate field. But I study what I study because it allows me to participate in a number of disciplines.

When I graduate Stockton, I plan on becoming a writer and a school librarian. In order to be successful in these fields, I have to be experienced and knowledgable in a variety of different things. I have to experience life first hand which means taking chances and leaving my comfort zone. I am a commuter student and a home body. Studying abroad meant leaving my family and friends for six months, leaving behind everything I knew and everything I had become accustomed to. Although I was truly ready to embrace this opportunity, I was worried about all of the new things that would come with it.

Despite all of my fears, I pushed forward with the application process and before I could blink, I was at the airport and boarding my plane. Throughout the journey over, I still didn't really believe what I was doing. It all seemed too surreal. I wasn't hit with the "oh-my-goodness-you-moved-to-Ireland" feeling until I had arrived at my flat and began to unpack.

Putting my belongings away made me realize that it finally happened. I had started to live my dream. I was very scared, but I was ready. I went to bed that night nervous, but looking forward to the journey ahead.