Making Community Connections (Service Project)

As a part of one of our classes we were to do a service project. This was a way to get us involved with the community of Spiddal. A few of us had the opportunity to go to the near by retirement home, Áras Chois Fharraige. At the retirement home they have different events and activities for the residents to participate in each day of the week.

http://www.thearas.com/home.html

During our visit we would join in and help with these activities. We did anything from playing cards, giving hand massages, and to doing chair aerobics. Each time we did something different and got to interact with the residents. One of my favorite ones that I met was Paddy. He is an adorable Irish man originally from Dublin. On the first day he taught me how to play 25, and Irish card game. It was so much fun and I even had some beginners luck and won! For another one of our visits they had a guest come in and play guitar and we had a singing session. I didn't know the words to all the songs but I sang along as best I could. Some of the residents even did some solos and they sang beautifully! (Paddy was one of the residents that did a solo.) The chair aerobics was one of my favorite activities led by Katie. She is one the staff members there and she is great with the residents. She speaks both Irish and English to them, to make them fell as much at home as possible.

Resident-Nora Folan, Staff-Katie Ui Chuláin, Dearbhla Thornton, Pat Folon, and Nancy Mullen.

Resident Nora Folan is 96 years old making her one of the oldest residents. 

Little did I know how much of an impact these people would have on my day. Each time I went to visit I left with a big smile on my face and my day was much brighter. Seeing their smiles and how happy they were to see guest made my time there worth every minute. I wish I would have had more time to go and visit to hear more of their stories but for now I will cherish my time I spent there.

Out and about exploring Ireland! (Field Trips)

This past month has been packed with trips around Ireland. We have travelled to Westport, Belleek, Portrush, Enniskillen, Derry/LondonDerry and Belfast. Along the way as we travelled through the countryside we stopped multiple times to enjoy it and take pictures of the beautiful scenery. Really I could spend all day driving around Ireland taking in all of the sites.

View of the country side as we were passing through.

View from the other side of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

While traveling to all of these cities we saw a lot of different things and learned a lot! But one of my favorite places was on the way to Westport. We stopped at Croagh Patrick. Croagh Patrick is a 764 meter high mountain and every year 40,000 people make pilgrimage here. I didn't think this place would impact me as much as it did. It was was a tough 1.5 hour hike to the top but the view once I got there made every ache and pain worth it. I don't know exactly why but I even found myself becoming a little emotional during my hike which made me appreciate the experience even more. It was a test of my determination and strength to climb over the rough terrain and not give up.

I made it to the top of Croagh Patrick!

What I was hoping from my hike up Croagh Patrick was to have some kind of sign as to what I should do once I return to the states and graduate. That didn't really happen, but what did happen was the remembrance to enjoy every moment while I am here. I was reminded of how happy I was to be here and to be learning about such an amazing and beautiful country. I was reminded of the fact that you don't always have to have a plan and that things will work themselves out. Most importantly I was reminded of how short life can be and that I was blessed to be there at that moment.

The view from up here was amazing!

As my time here is starting to come to an end I can't help but be thankful for this experience. Studying abroad not only in Ireland but the Czech Republic as well has completely changed me, for the better! Like the Irish proverb says" May your feet lead you to where your hear is." my feet have lead me to so many places that I couldn't just pick one for my heart to belong to. So cheers! Cheers to the all the memories, cheers to new friendships, cheers to following your heart, and CHEERS TO LIVING!!

Can you spot the differences?

Having been here for over two months I have quickly adapted and come accustomed to the cultural difference here. From the food, how they drive and other modes of transportation, dress, or speak all of this makes Ireland what it is!

Do you remember when your parents told you to always look both ways while crossing the street? Well that is very important here! Here in Ireland they drive on the opposite side of the road than us. This caught me off guard when we arrived but after some time now I am used to which way the cars will be coming down the street. Not everyone has to drive here though. Pubic transportation is big here in Ireland and all of Europe. You actually can't get your drivers license until you are 18. You will see a lot of people walking or riding bikes as well. Some countries even have bike lanes. This is something I am not accustomed to coming from small town Nebraska.

Riding bikes through the street.

When it comes to food there are not much differences in what they eat compared to what I eat back home. The difference is in the names. What we would call french fries are called chips and what we all chips are called crisps. This can get a little confusing when ordering your food. Typically your meals are fairly cheap and large. There is this adorable cafe in Galway that has meals for 6.90 euro and it's more than enough food for me and I eat a lot! :) Also its isn't typical that they would bring you water. Typically you have to ask for it and in some countries pay for it. Tipping here isn't as big as in the U.S. Waiters and waitresses are paid a higher wage so a tip is just extra. Sometimes depending upon the person they even refuse to accept a tip.

Smoked salmon open faced sandwich for 7 euro!

Another difference you will see is that people are usually well dressed. I know sometimes I am feeling lazy and so I throw on leggings or sweat pants. Here you won't see people walking around dressed like that at all unless they are running or riding a bike.

Not much is too different from back home. You forget about these differences and become used to them within a short amount of time. Here people are so inviting and helpful so even if you do seem out of place you have no need to worry, they will help out.