What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have always wanted to travel, and the opportunity to travel while in school was fascinating to me! I am someone who has enjoyed school, and I knew I wanted to go to college.
Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to go abroad at some point during my college career. At Arizona State University, the Global Education Office does a great job of reminding students about abroad programs.
I was met with such kind people when I peaked an interest in studying abroad, so it felt like everything was aligning perfectly for me!
Why did you choose the USAC Ireland: Cork - Full Curriculum program?
At Arizona State University, the Global Education Office has a great website where you can put in multiple filters—regions you want to visit, types of programs you're interested in, or majors you want to focus on.
I knew I wanted to go somewhere in Europe, and I knew I wanted to study something in the realm of my major. I’m studying forensic psychology, so I looked at programs that had general psychology studies.
With these two filters, and the desire to do a partnership program, I was able to find my USAC: Cork program.
Visited Killarney National Park and swam in Muckross Lake.
What was your favorite part about Cork, Ireland?
My favorite part about Cork, Ireland was the people and the community. It was such a welcoming city where it feels like everyone knows each other and everyone wants to help each other.
I felt very accepted and safe everywhere I went. The city is so lively and kind. I also loved the scenery around Ireland—there were so many beautiful places to see.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience was extraordinary because of the friends I made along the way. I was so blessed with the girls I was rooming with and the other people in my program.
Between my roommates and fellow program members, I was able to make a solid group of friends that mean so much to me now. I had people I could travel with, go out with, study with, and more.
I went to Ireland knowing nobody, but I left with lifelong friendships.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
My USAC program director, Patrick, was amazing. He was so kind and helpful if anyone had any questions or concerns.
Our USAC program excursions were led with kindness. He was informative and helpful, but he also allowed us to explore the places on our own. He would give us general info, get a group photo, tell us some ground rules, and then set us free with a time to meet back up.
I felt like I could go to him with any questions, and he would help me out.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I would've done differently is traveled more. I feel like, with where I was, I had access to so many cool places that I could've gotten to for cheap.
The reason I didn’t travel right when I got there was because of residency permit restrictions, but I later found out there were ways to still travel even before receiving my residency permit.
So, I wish I would've traveled earlier on in my abroad trip—but it was still amazing, the few places I did get to go.
Took a cable car to the top of Harder Kulm in Interlaken, Switzerland, and did headstands.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day consisted of getting up, cooking myself breakfast, getting ready, and walking to class (about a 15-minute walk from my accommodation).
I would attend my 2–3 classes, get lunch on or off campus, and walk back to my accommodation. Then, I’d do something fun with my roommates or friends.
We had friends whose accommodation had a movie room, so we spent a lot of our down nights there. Weekends looked different—we’d either go out at night and find fun new pubs, or we’d travel!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
In my free time, I would hang out with my friends! Whether we were watching movies, going out, or traveling, I was often with the new people I got close to.
Our bigger friend group loved to go out together. We would find cool new pubs or clubs and stay out late.
With the few friends I was closer to in the group, we spent a good chunk of time traveling. I got to go to Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland; and Barcelona, Spain!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in school accommodation. It was an apartment complex about 15 minutes walking distance from campus. I had three other roommates, and I got so lucky with them!
I became best friends with one of them, and that has to be my favorite part of my accommodation. But it had a lot of perks!
The place I lived in was called The Crow's Nest. I had my own room and bathroom, and I shared a living area and kitchen with three other girls. The kitchen and living area came fully furnished, which was so nice.
I also felt like it was in a great location in relation to where my other friends lived and to the school. My only complaint was that we had to pay 6 euros for every load of laundry we did.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Every participant in this program should know how kind the people of Ireland are. I felt so safe and welcomed by every person I encountered.
It was really helpful to speak the same language as the host country. I think if you're studying another language, it would be incredible to go somewhere that speaks that language—but if you only know English, I would recommend going to an English-speaking country.
A night out for the Cork Jazz Festival.
Would you recommend your program and provider to others? Why?
YES! I would 100% recommend my program and program provider to others.
I felt like USAC did a great job of keeping me in the loop beforehand about everything I needed to complete before departing, when I arrived, and while I was there. A lot of paperwork goes into studying abroad, and USAC did a great job helping me know what I needed to do.
My program in Cork was amazing. The excursions were fun, and they introduced me to awesome people. 10/10 experience.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of studying abroad is all that you learn about yourself and the world. I learned so much about how I am as a person.
I became more confident because of all the things I had to figure out for myself. I was placed in situations I had never been in before, and getting through them ignited a new sense of confidence in me.
I traveled to a new country that I had never been to before—knowing absolutely no one! I feel so thankful that study abroad showed me I can do anything.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I just want to talk about it all the time. I want to show everyone my pictures and tell them all the things I got to experience.
This is exciting for my family, who’s asking, but I don’t want it to sound braggy at all. I just allow people to ask questions, and I answer as they come. I try my best not to overshare.
But I think the biggest change it made is just the confidence, as I mentioned. I feel so much more sure of myself and what I can do.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means travel that taught you something.
Whether it was exposure to new cultural norms or teachings about who you are as a traveler or person, travel can open your eyes to so much.
Meaningful travel brings light to things you've never seen or experienced before. Studying abroad is definitely meaningful travel.
