Studying abroad in Ireland was the happiest, most enriching, and most memorable experience of my college career. I remember freshman year when I applied for a study abroad to Ireland and how devastated I was when Covid-19 prevented traveling. I submitted another application to complete a study abroad program in Ireland during my junior year and could not go for the same ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. Knowing senior year was my last opportunity to study overseas in Ireland made me determined to get into the student teaching abroad program. I applied for scholarships, stayed on top of study abroad emails and deadlines, and spoke with individuals who completed and aided within the program. It was the best decision I ever made.
I spent the first two weeks traveling around the country with Ruby, seeing beautiful landscapes and cultural monuments, learning about the country's rich history, and meeting lovely people along the way. Interacting with the country's history and visiting museums was very important to me as a history major and social studies teacher. I had taken a modern Irish history course in my junior year and had learned so much about Ireland's past. Going to the country and seeing things I saw on a PowerPoint in Cherry Hall in front of my own two eyes was transformative.
Additionally, there were travel days I made memories I wish I could freeze in my mind like a photo and days I felt so happy I thought I would explode. For instance, the day Ruby and I went to Doolin and saw the Cliffs was magical. We saw a beautiful sunset, went to a pub to listen to trad music, and met wonderful people who were kind and supportive of our travel endeavors and career choices. While traveling around the country was unforgettable, nothing could've prepared me for my experience in Westport, where I got to spend time with some of the most amazing girls I have ever met and teach in a school with a positive learning environment filled with considerate and lively students.
As I reflect on my time in Westport, Ireland, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the experiences that I had there. The bed and breakfast host/program leader, Louise, was so extraordinary and made me feel welcome and cared for during my visit. Being able to stay at a bed and breakfast with several other girls ensured that there was always someone to talk to or to make plans with, and I grew so close to all the girls in such a short amount of time. Looking back on my time in Westport, I feel grateful for the memories I made there. The stunning natural beauty of the Quay and the beach and the vibrant downtown scene made for an unforgettable experience. I will always treasure my time there, and I hope to return one day to relive those memories and create new ones.
Furthermore, when I reflect on my experience teaching abroad in Swinford, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture and learn from a new perspective. The experience was eye-opening and allowed me to see teaching in a different light and gain deeper insights into my future in education. One of the highlights of my experience was getting to know the students, who were eager to learn and engage with me as their teacher. It was fascinating to compare and contrast the differences between US and Irish schools and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities each system presented. I also enjoyed speaking with teachers in the school and hearing about their experiences in education. The teachers I worked with provided me with invaluable perspectives, and I gained new insights that I can bring back to help inform my future career. The school's principal, Pat, picked Ruby and me up for school every day, and it took us forty minutes to get there. We would all share fun stories in the car and discuss every topic imaginable with him. He was knowledgeable about the school and the community, and his insights helped me understand the context in which I was teaching. His support and encouragement were instrumental in making me feel welcome and valued as a student teacher in the school. Overall, my experience teaching abroad at Scoil Muire agus Padraig was a transformative one that taught me a great deal about teaching and learning and the importance of cultural exchange and global understanding. I am grateful to have had this experience, and I look forward to using what I have learned to teach abroad and become a better teacher.