The End

I recently published a blog post that spoke about the not-so glamorous side of studying abroad. Today, I want to expand on it. These past couple of weeks have been excruciating. My friend, Haley, came to visit me and that was a blast. I haven’t seen her since December and it was crazy that we…

Perspective

Perspective is often overlooked, but is a very important concept. There are always many sides of a story. It gets to the point where sometimes it’s hard to determine which recount is true. Whilst I was doing my pre-reading skimming of the book Ten Men Dead, I saw the word “terrorist” and it really stuck…

Okay, maybe I am in Narnia

Part 2: The Highs My previous blog post spoke about the downside of living and studying abroad. This week, I want to talk about the rainbows and unicorns. Well let’s start with the fact that I’m living in Ireland. It’s still crazy to think about. A few months ago, I remember counting down the days…

I’m not in Narnia

The Highs and Lows of Studying Abroad Part 1: The Lows I never imagined studying abroad would involve a great amount of anxiety, boredom, and jealousy. I always thought living out your dreams would be smiling, laughing, rainbows, and I guess unicorns. Instead, most of my time is spent sitting in my room staring at…

In Ireland, you’re very welcome

“Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.”  – Pope Saint John Paul II As St. Patrick’s Day is slowly approaching, I wanted to write about the people that have become my family. Ireland has been my home for only six weeks, but the Irish’s patriotism is beginning to…

LONDON, ENGLAND

“In London everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” –Paddington It’s been a dream of mine to visit this beautiful city for a long time. While we were in the taxi, on our way to our hostel, I began to get tearful when we were casually passing by the London Eye, Big…

The Great Irish Famine

  In September of 1845, a strange disease struck the potatoes in Ireland and gave rise to the Great Irish Famine. Many of the potatoes had turned black and their leaves withered. In the 1845 harvest, between one-third and half of the crop was destroyed by the disease, which became known as the “potato blight”….

A Day in the Life of an Asian American

Sometimes I just want to blend in. Is that a bad thing? Don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly love that our world is starting to praise our differences and people are learning to love who they are. I’m just getting tired of being the odd person out. I grew up in a town that is…

Phoenix Park

As Molly, Olivia, and I were treading across Dublin to appreciate some cute animals, we stumbled across a gorgeous park that was occupied by beautiful swans, birds pecking at left over crumbs, and kids running around. It was peaceful. We were clueless of the horrific event that took place in 1882. On May 6th 1882,…

A Weekend in Tipperary

A Weekend in Thurles, Tipperary Boy, what a weekend. My dear cousin, who’s a priest living in Rome, came to visit me. Along with him, my sweet friend Niall. Niall was gracious enough to let my cousin and I come stay at his family’s home for the weekend. It was a busy, but fun-filled weekend. I…

Two Weeks Later…

I’ve been exploring Ireland for the past two weeks and it sure has been grand. I still can’t grasp the beauty that is Ireland. Though the weather can be a drag sometimes, the Irish’s personalities make up for it. I live in an apartment, on campus, with three Irish students and one American. It’s been…

Preparing to Study Abroad at Maynooth University

In about 20 days, I will be moving to Ireland for a semester to study at Maynooth University. It hasn’t quite set in that I’m getting the chance to live out my dream of traveling the world; let alone living in IRELAND! My dreams are all coming true thanks to my super rad and supportive parents….