Well I can't believe I am down to it, my last blog entry. I am so incredibly sad thinking about having to leave this wonderful country in just a few short days. Although it hasn't hit me yet because I still have my last final tomorrow, it is starting to hit me when I had to say goodbye to my roommate and see her room empty. It reminded me of my first day here in Ireland and coming into the empty room, a bundle of nervousness and excitement. I honestly cannot even believe that I have been here since January and that this is the longest time I have ever been away from home. I remember leaving like it was yesterday but then some of my experiences that I have had here felt like ages ago. I am having weird feelings that are hard to put into words really.
Although I was super excited to go home last week I think as my last days approach it becomes more into sadness. I walk around campus and actually stop to smell the flowers even though I look like a weirdo I am trying just to take in all my last moments here. I can't explain the feelings of leaving a place and knowing that you will never have an expierence like this again in this same place. I always feel emotional at the end of any semester but this is just a lot worse I guess. I know for sure that I would like to come back to Dublin at some point in my life but it makes me sad that even when I do come back it will never really be my home again. I will see the places and have the memories though of when I got to spend an unreal semester in Europe.
As this comes to a close though it is hard not to think about how I am so lucky to have gotten this experience. Studying abroad has given me the chance to see amazing places that I never imagined I would be able to see and do things I never thought I would do. I am so grateful for my mom and dad for encouraging me and supporting me throughout my time here (emotionally and financially lol). I have learned so much by traveling and living away for the first time. I know i can be a pretty uptight person at time but I really hope that I will be able to come back home at least a little more relaxed. There are so many times where we got lost or something went off the books during traveling that it is hard not to develop a go with the flow attitude. When I think back on the things that went wrong it just makes me laugh because those are the experiences that we can grow from, well most of them anyway. Getting fined from the Italian police for not validating our train tickets, looking like dumb Americans in Paris trying to use the wrong underground or trying to use a pay phone in Prague to find our apartment are things that I will always remember about being here. There were also times where I thought I actually might die like when we came into the wrong train station in Rome at midnight and were surrounded by homeless people I don't think my heart has ever beat so fast or when our flight tried to land in Scotland twice and it actually felt like I was on roller coaster which is actually a little more legitimate reason to be scared than the other. Anyway I guess my point is that the things that don't go the way you want I guess end up turning into funny memories that stay with you. On top of that I am glad I got to see all these things with my best friends and new friends. Being able to travel so much with Erica, going to London with Alex, and Megan visiting us made me really grateful for the friendships that I have. It makes me happy to know that I will always share these experiences with them and same with my mom and nancy!
Although I cannot possibly even begin to summarize my study abroad experience I think I will first think of Ireland. I know Ireland will always carry a special place in my heart and that it will kind of feel like it is mine. At home we are surrounded by Irish things especially bars and I know that these will be a constant reminder of my semester here. I will remember the rolling hills and mountains and lakes and sheep and how Ireland is so green and beautiful and how it is amazing that I got to soak up these sights for a semester. Besides just Ireland there are other things from my travels here that will stand out like all the different cities I visited and things I saw. I learned a lot of history and in general became a hopefully more informed person about different cultures.
Even though I have to leave this behind I have a lot to look forward to in the future! Traveling around Europe has made me realize that the USA is great too and that there is so much of it I haven't even seen. While I was in Dublin I wanted to see all the touristy things there and in the area but I have lived in Milwaukee for almost 3 years and never really before had a desire for much exploration. Hopefully this can change when I get back as I will be living there this summer!
I have seen this Irish blessing before and have always liked it but never before I have really thought about Ireland when I read it. Only after being here do I look at and realize how it perfectly sums up my feelings about Ireland and about having to leave it behind.
'May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand'
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand'
Well overall Ireland had been grand and cheers to it giving me an amazing semester! I am going to attach some of my favourite photos from my travels to this post. Until next time!
