Lucy Steele
ISEP Study in Ireland – University College Cork – ISEP Direct
Major: Individualized Studies Major focusing on Art History
Pre-Departure Post
Hi everyone!
Welcome to my first blog post! My name is Lucy Steele, and I am a junior at UMBC majoring in Individualized Studies with a focus in Art History. I am writing this on the morning of January 3rd, and I leave for Ireland tonight! I have an overnight flight, so I’ll be arriving in Dublin at 9 am. I have wanted to study abroad in Ireland since my freshman year, and I am so excited that it’s finally happening!
I’ll be studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. Cork is in the southern part of Ireland, only a 2-hour train ride from Dublin. I’ll be flying into Dublin and taking the train the next day to Cork! I am so excited to finally see UCC and begin moving in. I’ll be living in a student accommodation building off campus, but only a 5-minute walk to campus, which is so nice.
While at UCC, I’ll be taking mostly Art History and History courses. I’m fascinated by Irish history, so I’ll be taking a class on modern Irish history made for visiting students! I’m also taking a class on Folklore, material culture, and the history of the media in Ireland.
This is my second time studying abroad, but my first for a whole semester. This past summer, I participated in Dr. Oakes’ Art and Power in Japan faculty-led abroad trip, which made me want to travel and study abroad even more! I am so grateful that I am able to participate in these programs and so excited for everything I will learn and experience this semester!
This is my first time traveling to Europe, so I expect some culture shocks. Thankfully, I don’t have to learn a new language to go to Ireland, which makes everything a bit easier.
Recently, I’ve been working on packing and preparing everything I need to bring with me abroad. I do not travel internationally very often, so I’ve been making sure I have all of the documents I need to enter Ireland, so I don’t worry or forget something. Packing has definitely been a challenge. I severely procrastinated and started packing yesterday! Since it will be so cold there, I have to pack a lot of large items like jackets and sweaters, which is not making the process any easier. I’ll be buying most essentials once I get there, so I’m mostly packing clothes. I’m not good at packing lightly, so this has been a learning experience for me since I can only bring so much.
My nerves are definitely beginning to kick in. I’ve been planning this trip for so long, but it hasn’t felt real until now. It’s been something on the horizon for so long that I would be doing in a year or next semester, but now I’m leaving today. I’m sad to be leaving my family and my pets (Augie and June). I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to them later.
I’m so excited for everything this semester will bring. I know it will be an amazing experience and really force me out of my comfort zone. I can’t wait to update you in two weeks and share more about my time in Cork throughout the semester!
Talk to you soon!