Welcome to Cork!

First off, I want to start by giving a big, big shout out to everyone who is reading my blog and leaving comments. It is so much more rewarding to write about what I am doing knowing that I’m not just writing to myself, and that others can enjoy it, too. So thank you!

As I sit here typing away, I begin to feel more and more at home in Cork with each word. I am sitting in my living room listening to music, drinking tea, and daydreaming about everything I have already accomplished, and what I hope to do in the coming days, weeks, and months. So far, I have loved having my own apartment and my own space. It brings with it a sense of independence and responsibility, which are two qualities I hope to continue to develop while abroad.

I have officially been in Cork a week. Technically, it’s been eight days but the first day was such a complete whirlwind of chaos and jetlag that I am going to count last Thursday as my first official day in the land of the Irish. It feels physically impossible that it has only been a mere seven days. It seems like far too much has already happened for that to be true. The past couple of days have been especially busy for me. Internet – check. Phone – check. Bank account – check. Most of the practical elements of living in Ireland have been completed . . .  which is definitely a huge load off of my mind.

On Monday we started our Early Start Program. The one drawback of studying abroad is that doing schoolwork is actually a legitimate part of the program. Luckily, my first class at UCC is no bore. My Archaeology class is off to a great start. We have an amazing teacher, Tomas (apparently, “professor” is not a common term in Ireland – we are supposed to call our teachers by their first names . . . which will take some getting used to). Tomas is very established in his field, and his passion for the material resonates in every lecture. Archaeology is a subject I have literally zero experience in, so I have enjoyed hearing about the progression of different Irish settlements since practically the beginning of time. We are taking our first field trip tomorrow to West Cork to examine different territories that have been excavated in earlier years. Tomas said it’s crucial for us to wear our “wellies” (thought I’d throw you guys a couple of Irish terms every once in a while. Wellies = rainboots). I will be sure to let you know how that goes, and I plan to take lots of pictures!

Below I have posted a couple of photos from the past week (click on each photo to enlarge).

Slan!

Our teeny tiny connecting plane from Dublin to Cork

Cheering to our first dinner in Cork! 

Out to dinner in Cork City with our amazing advisor Vicki

Some of the Holy Cross girls before watching the Gaelic Football Semis.
Cork won! UP THE REBELS!