My time in Ireland was much more transformative than I had previously imagined for myself. From the trips around the country to the literature in our classroom, I discovered a different culture and view of the world from the Irish. The slight cultural differences that I had seen, I felt like I had implemented or at least considered for my own actions or understood others past what is socially acceptable in my own country. Academically, I found myself more motivated than I had been in the normal school environment during the academic year, as we got creative and extended our understanding for a country with a different past in coming about.

When we first arrived in the country, we took multiple tours for a quick, surface-level education of the history leading up to modern-day Ireland. With a much longer history than the baby country that is the United States, there was a lot of information to go through. However, this was very needed for the rest of the program, I found. Of course, academically, the literature is heavily influenced by how the Irish citizens were treated and raised, which affects how they want their stories to be told. Not only this, though, but the way that the people treat one another, value their education, use their humor - sometimes in serious events, such as politics - and more is a result of years and years of habits passed down.

The differences between the city of Dublin and the natural side of Ireland were striking, but beautiful in their unique ways. In Dublin, I came across many types of characters as they were outgoing and curious, and I discovered much about myself in the process. They had different ideas of what was socially okay, and I learned how to adjust accordingly, especially if they were unaware and meant no ill will. When leaving the city, I got to experience a deep green across the land with sheep dotting across the rolling surface. It switched from mountains to the ocean in an instant. I truly believe that that view would amaze anybody, and I found that I was reluctant to come home.

Name: Reese Ann Ehrhardt
Status: Junior
Major: English
Hometown: Millington, Michigan
Program: Irish Literature and Culture