Elizabeth Hurd is a student at Saginaw Valley State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Elizabeth is currently studying abroad with ISA in Galway, Ireland.
It’s an odd feeling, really. I’m sitting in my room with my suitcases half packed. I’m organizing my paperwork and making sure everything is in order. I’m cleaning my apartment, to make sure that everything is in order for me to leave.
Leave.
I’m leaving.
Didn’t I just get here?
It was only yesterday that I was saying goodbye to my friends and family, stepping on a plane in Detroit, and stepping off a different plane in Dublin. It was only yesterday that I nervously walked through the airport looking for the ISA group. It was only yesterday that I began this adventure. Except it wasn’t just yesterday. It was four and a half months ago.
Where did the time go?
Oh…that’s right.
It went to making new friends, that I know will last a lifetime. It went to learning Irish slang and staying up later than I’m used to. It went to taking classes that I will never forget (Like the Irish Language course where I learned that no language will ever die as long as someone is around to learn it, and the American History class that taught me my country’s mistakes instead of its triumphs). It went to traveling around and seeing a whole new part of the world. It went to learning about a new culture and a different way of life. It went to growing up and forming a new perspective. My time went to metamorphosing and evolving as a person. My time in Ireland has taught me so much and I am so thankful that I decided to come. I regret nothing about this trip.
As I near the end of my time in Ireland, I do feel sad. I’m going to miss a lot about Ireland. I’m going to miss walking in the downtown area and listening to all the different street performers. I’m going to miss the rolling mountains and glassy lakes of Connemara. I’m going to miss all of the people that I met here, my roommates especially. I’m even going to miss walking across what has to be the most dangerous roundabout in the world.
Yet, I’m ready to go home. Though it doesn’t feel like it, it’s been four and half months. I’m ready to see my friends, my family, and my dogs. I’m ready to share this experience with others (in person) and encourage others to study abroad. I’m ready to show everyone what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown since I’ve been here.
So, as I near the end of my journey, I just want to say “Tanks a million Ireland! You’ve been great craic! I’ll see you again someday!”
Slan,
Elizabeth
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- Where to Take Visitors in Ireland (isastudentblog.wordpress.com)