What inspired you to travel abroad?
As a university student, I am tied to my campus nine months out of the year, with very little time or finances to see the world. I have wanted to travel for as long as I could remember and believe that there is no better time than now, so I found a program that was going to push me far beyond what I knew and fit my needs. It just so happened that it was in Ireland, the country I have wanted to visit ever since I knew it existed!
Gaiety School of Acting, Irish Theatre Summer Intensive, class of 2018.
Why did you choose the Gaiety School of Acting Irish Theatre Summer Programme?
The Gaiety School of Acting Irish Theatre Summer Intensive is one of the most demanding, yet supportive acting courses I have had the privilege of attending. I knew it would push me to my physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. It did that and more.
What was your favorite part of Dublin, Ireland?
Dublin is a melting pot of all types of artists, and because of this, there is artistic inspiration everywhere. It has been like that for hundreds of years. The history of creativity runs deeply through the city.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The connections and friendships I made in my month at the Gaiety are ones that have followed me around the world for the last year and a half. I've traveled to ten more countries and have made contacts with a fellow classmate in more than half of them. That bond has been remarkably beneficial and extremely meaningful.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The tutors at GSA are some of the most demanding yet supportive instructors you will ever have. I had many conversations with multiple tutors that have lead me to come back to GSA and attend their full-time 2 Year Professional Acting Course. If I ever had a question the course coordinator and administration staff would aptly assist me in any way they could.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had given myself more time before and after the course to get adjusted to living in a new place and explore it more afterward, however, you can always go back. Dublin and Ireland as a whole have a very special place in my heart.
My day trip to Howth Peninsula. It's just 30 minutes outside of the city by train!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Classes were Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the occasional outing to see a play at a local theatre in the evening. We would have a midday break for lunch and I usually took it with other classmates at a cafe.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Getting enough rest was crucial for making this course sustainable. However, Many evenings we would go out for a pint, attend one of the many comedy shows, or hang out in one of the many parks around Dublin. Weekends were reserved for trips around the country. It's just over two hours to Galway on the train, but there are beautiful landmarks just a few minutes away from the city center.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a hostel and got very close with my three roommates who were also in the Gaiety. We all supported each other, and we’re constantly exploring Dublin together.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It is an intense program, however if you show up and are present in class each day you will have more fun than you could imagine, grow exponentially in your craft, and build friendships that will last through the years to come.
Would you recommend the Gaiety School of Acting Irish Theatre Summer Programme to others? Why?
I one hundred percent recommend attending the Gaiety School of Acting. It will demand more than any other program, but also give you the support and community to thrive simultaneously. If you want to learn, the Gaiety is an excellent place for you.
A short weekend trip to Conway Castle in Wales! It is affordable to travel all around the Republic of Ireland and the UK. You can see so much!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad gives you a completely different view of the world. You gain more empathy and understanding for the people around you. Overall, it is quite humbling.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Since coming home, I came to realize just how small the world is, but at the same time, how vastly different it can be. Somewhere right now there is a person sipping a cappuccino about to start their day and a person that is sound asleep. Traveling has taught me that your life is purely your own, and you're responsible for living it wherever you are.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I believe travel is meaningful when it affects your thoughts. Whether it’s just a vacation or study abroad, you should hopefully return home with a new perspective on something in your life.