What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to experience a culture outside of the U.S. that I hadn't had prior knowledge of before. I've also moved around throughout my childhood so having been at college for almost three years, I was longing for a new location and new experience. This was the perfect opportunity to continue my education and have the experiences of new people and new culture again. I had never been to Ireland before or been educated on the culture there so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the actual community.
Why did you choose your specific program at Champlain College?
While attending Champlain College, it gave me the opportunity to travel with my fellow classmates and have new experiences with them. I wanted to have the ability to travel with people I knew and the ability to be on my own. I knew that if I wanted to have my own experiences that I could make that happen with my own initiative, but in the event that I wouldn't know what to look for or that I did want that cushion, I would have that with the students I traveled abroad with and the staff that was ready to support me.
Tartu Inglisild, Estonia
What was your favorite part about Dublin, Ireland?
My favorite part about living in Ireland was definitely the people. Everyone in the community is so welcoming and open to sharing their lives with us. It really felt like home. Especially living in the Liberties where I got to become good friends with the local shopkeepers. There is such a great sense of community among the people that I never wanted to leave. Getting to walk through the city each and every day past the shopkeepers, past the beautiful architecture was amazing.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience abroad extraordinary were the unique experiences the staff and faculty provided and planned for us during our time there. The faculty really pushed us to go beyond the syllabus and experience Irish culture. Our professors planned out museum visits, film viewings, and local tours that aided our education in the Irish arts, culture, history, and more. Getting out into the community was a beautiful experience and definitely enhanced my engagement in the course.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was always available and ready to talk with us when we needed help or just checking up on us. They recommended places to visit, sights to see, their favorite places to eat and shop, and where we could learn about Irish culture in different respects. While on trips, the staff was helpful and accommodating towards everyone. Even though they had probably been to these sites several hundred times, they were engaging with us as if it was their first time and maintaining a positive energy about everything we were doing.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I would have done is plan trips beforehand. That way I would get to see more sights while being there. I also would have liked to make more friends in the community. I met people doing leadership workshops and playing soccer in Phoenix Park but would have liked to be more involved with college students from NRI or Trinity right by us! I would have gotten a huge map of Ireland and noted everywhere I wanted to visit, experience and looked at all the activities I could have taken part in while there. I achieved so much while I was there but know there is still so much to see and do.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day consisted of walking through the Liberties and past Saint Stephens Green to the Champlain Abroad Dublin building. I then attended class with one of the many fantastic Irish professors. Sometimes we would go out to a museum or somewhere in the community such as the Tenements Museum on Henrietta Street. After class, some classmates would hang out in the student lounge downstairs or stop by Peacock Green for a wrap. Then another class of Irish Culture Through Film where we would watch an Irish film with a historical lens. After class, a group of students would make the trek back to highlight and make a group dinner together in the apartment. Later at night, we might spend some time playing pool with the other international students in the building in Highlights common area.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed the amazingly beautiful sights Ireland had to offer. My friends and I took a day trip to Killarney and got to see the lake, some stunning views, and a beautiful forest. We also had a beach day at Bull Island, full of people taking their dogs out in the sun and a fully stocked ice cream truck. Going to the Forty Foot in Sandycove was also a great time. The area was nice to walk around and we ate at Teddy's Ice Cream to finish the day. I enjoyed the 2 euro strawberry milkshakes at Noel's and the ham and cheese toasties at the Lark Inn.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
As Champlain students, we stayed in Highlight Student Services. I loved the community that we were in, right in the heart of the Liberties. The accommodation had a big common room space with a pool table, table tennis, and television for use by all residents. The roof access made for spectacular sunset views across Dublin. It was also a very cool space to chill and have a good time with your friends. The roof was a beautiful space that looked over Dublin's bustling city life.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Everyone should be prepared for a life-changing experience. They should be ready to adapt to a new lifestyle abroad and be open to new experiences since that is why you are going abroad in the first place. Be ready to step out of your comfort zone. Do things you never thought you would try before and get comfortable being uncomfortable. There is so much to see and do in Dublin alone but if you don't take initiative and go out of your way to take part in these activities and experiences, you are the only one that will be missing out on these opportunities.
Would you recommend your Champlain Abroad program to others? Why?
I would recommend this program to others because I got to know my fellow classmates better, meet new people, and make lifelong friendships with people abroad. Meeting other college students from the Belfast area and Trinity College will always stick with me. This was a great opportunity to try new things and make memories independently. Having the cushion of your college community with the freedom to explore the rest of the world is something I can't describe. There were so many opportunities to explore Dublin and even all of Ireland with and without the Champlain community. Either way, it was a blast!
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
The biggest benefit is finding commonalities in one another's cultures and backgrounds no matter where you come from. You are taking the time to learn the history and culture of another entire group of people and that is something that you shouldn't take for granted. You get the experience that some people dream about doing their whole lives and to be able to do that with the people you'll be spending the rest of your college career with is a phenomenal experience. The benefit of traveling abroad is much more than being able to see the sites, but to engage and surround yourself in a completely new environment.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Since coming back from abroad, it has just reminded me how small the world is and where we can put in the effort to make connections with others despite our differences. I am now looking into Dublin, Ireland, as a possible place to live after graduation, to work in the film industry there. There is so much opportunity there for creatives and people interested in the culture there. It has made me want to go back and do so much more with my interests in filmmaking and engagements in other parts of the world with that.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is making connections with the people you meet while abroad. It is one thing to go to a place and take pictures at landmarks you're familiar with but it's a whole other experience to immerse yourself and get lost in streets you don't recognize with people you've never thought you'd encounter. It means taking risks and losing yourself in an environment full of community, art, culture, and so much more. Meaningful travel is all about making your moments abroad count and living life to the fullest.
