Submitted by Samantha Jennings the 2024 Spring program in Copenhagen, Denmark…
Happy Spring Break! This week was characterized by a lot of travel and new experiences. I visited one of my friends, Olivia, in Dublin, Ireland. I met Olivia during our freshman World Scholars semester in Rome, Italy. She is currently studying in Limerick, Ireland for her second study abroad experience and we thought that it would be fun to meet in the middle and explore more of the world together! We spent a few days in Dublin, Ireland learning about the Viking history that founded the town and the Protestant Reformation that helped to shape the culture of Dublin today. Then we spent a day in Belfast, Ireland. Our tour took us out to the cliffs of Northern Ireland and the basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway. From a black taxi ride we learned about the personal experiences of individuals who lived in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. We also went to the Titanic Museum, the site of the former construction/launching site of the White Star Line Vessel. This trip was extremely important for me, not only because I was able to see Olivia, but also because my family is ethnically Irish and I am fascinated by Irish history and culture. I am so glad that I got to spend my spring break exploring this country! (Submitted on April 19,2024)