I have now been away from home for 123 days. I have walked/ran 994 miles (according to my Fitbit…though, accuracy may very!) I have visited 23 cities (Dublin, Kilkenny, Sligo, Belfast, Cork, Howth, Athlone, Wicklow, Meath, Leeds, Edinburgh, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Athens, Aegina, Rome, Sorrento, and Barcelona) in 13 different countries. I have taken 21 flights (many thanks to Ryanair for its cheap fares!), 9 trains, 2 boats, and 14 buses.
It is quite evident that I enjoy quantification; however, there are some things in life that simply cannot be measured numerically, and this especially applies to my study abroad experience. During these past four months or so, I have grown and changed immensely.
I have matured and gained a new level of independence by living downtown Dublin, away from campus. I learned how to navigate the public transportation system (many thanks to technology…. especially the Transport for Ireland App and the Dublin Bus App) and “enhanced” my cooking skills since there was no meal plan option. (I perfected tortellini, hummus lunch wraps, and Irish soda bread!) Within Dublin, I developed my own routine: going to the same restaurant, Cocu, every Monday night, fulfilling the same grocery list at Tesco week-in and week-out, and getting chocolate muffins at the Pulse Café between classes. Even though I’m not ethnically Irish, I felt welcome within the community, and I will carry a piece of Ireland back home with me.
The Irish educational system differed greatly from that of the United States, having much less continuous assessment and much more independent studying. Most of my classes solely had a paper and a final exam. In fact, one of my classes had a 40 question multiple-choice exam that was worth 90% of my final grade! By being in this new system, I learned to adapt, exercised my problem solving skills, and enhanced my self-discipline to stay on track with my studying.
By travelling both within Ireland and throughout Europe, I have had a plethora of new experiences. I learned to go into each location with an open mind, devoid of preconceived notions or expectations. With each place I visited, my main objective was not solely sightseeing. My Georgetown background has instilled within me a desire to learn more about other cultures. I did not simply want to scratch the surface and try the best food in a given country. (Though, food certainly was a part of my travels!) Instead, I also sought to learn about the day-to-day lives of the inhabitants as well as the struggles that plague them. Though at times language barriers did exist, it was amazing how far a bit of patience, context clues, and lots of body language and hand motions can take you! I learned that no matter what language people speak, a smile can be understood. I also learned to be selective in my word choices. For example, rather than saying that the Irish drive on the “wrong” side of the road, I now say “opposite.” All-in-all I learned the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and putting all things in perspective. Each individual can choose how he or she perceives the world. As my Irish tour guide put it, “Some visitors may say that Ireland is rainy, but to me, all I see is liquid sunshine.”
Though I certainly have some exceptional memories that will stay with me for many years to come, I was also faced with some more difficult realities during my time abroad. These experiences have forced me to think deeply and have motivated me to educate others so that we can all work together to evoke change in our world.
I got to join in conversations and attend debates centered around the so-called “refugee crisis.” However, rather than simply having these conversations in Ireland, far away from the heart of the situation, I was able to see refugee camps firsthand, outside of Athens. As politicians continue to argue about national quotas and the like, I hope they will keep in mind the humanity of these individuals, who should be afforded food, water, shelter, and clothing just like all human beings.
While working in Irish hospitals, I was forced to face the reality that no matter how good someone’s intentions are, he or she may be limited by his or her human nature. The Irish nurses truly are nurturing and caring, wanting optimal care for their patients; however, the staffing shortages make this almost impossible. One person can only do so much. Furthermore, the low wages offered to Irish healthcare workers are leading to a “brain drain,” with the nation’s top talent being educated within Ireland but going abroad to work.
There is a severe shortage of public bathrooms in Europe, or those that are “public” cost anywhere from 0,50 euros upwards to use. This forces homeless people to have no other option but to go to the bathroom in the streets, reducing their dignity.
To see is one thing, to act upon what I have seen is another. I now return to the United States with a new array of experiences that will alter the way in which I perceive the world as well as my future actions. I seek to live intentionally, taking the time to reflect as I have done by keeping a journal of my experiences and thoughts while abroad. My clinical experience abroad has solidified my desire to work in healthcare so that I can positively impact the lives of others by supporting and caring for patients and families during their times of need. I have new cultural competence skills that will aid in my day-to-day interactions with others as well as caring for my future patients. I have also seen that I have so much excess in my life…I lived simply while in Europe, and there is no reason that I should not continue to do so when I return to the United States.
To Dublin, to Ireland, to Europe: milliún go raibh maith agat (“a million thanks!” in Irish). This is not a goodbye, but instead an “until next time.” I am so grateful that I have been able to call you home these past four months. I greatly appreciate all the lessons I have learned. You have planted within me a fire to evoke change that I will carry back to the United States. I look forward to coming again someday!
