Once I landed at the airport, it was evident that I was no longer in the United States because of the difference in language. Everyone around me was speaking Irish (or Gaeilge in Irish)! However, for the most part, everyone also speaks English here. My classes at the University College Cork will all be taught in English.
I will be here for approximately four months and I really plan on absorbing the local culture through my education. I plan on learning more about Irish politics in addition to what I already learned. For instance, Ireland and Northern Ireland are two different countries. The former being the Republic where I will be based for this experience, while the latter is a part of the United Kingdom. I am taking classes specifically on Irish politics to expand my knowledge of the different political systems in place.
I will also be traveling around Ireland to learn more about it! I'm very excited to visit Dublin, the capital of Ireland during my time here. You cannot immerse yourself somewhere without interacting with the people who live in the area, thus I hope to begin meeting the locals and building relationships through my travels.
