Submitted by Kaitlyn Hansen on the 2023 summer program in Ireland…
Over the past two weeks, I have had many valuable experiences that I will forever be able to treasure. Ireland has shown me compassion, kindness, and beauty. The city of Dublin is full of history and people from all over the world. I have met not only Irish people but also Australian, Albanian, Turkish, and Italian. I have listened to stories of their lives that show similarities and differences in the cultures and beliefs between people. Although from the outside, people from different places will be different many have similar stories and lessons to tell. I have learned about the beliefs of Americans; we are loud and a bit crazy. But the Irish love our music! It’s somewhat hard to find a restaurant or pub that plays traditional Irish music. Traditional Irish music has been the most enriching to me. I can sit in front of the bands forever. I have met the best people. I am on a trip with 10 others. Going into this trip, I was scared; what if we don’t get along? What if I can’t make any good friendships? I was wrong to ask those questions. We have gotten so close over the past two weeks. We show up to restaurants as the 11 of us, and we all walk to class or to our scheduled event together. We text mostly in a group chat with everyone in it, and then the girls also have one. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Two weeks have flown by. (Submitted during Week 2)