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Emily Sommers ’10 with her parents in Ireland |
Spring 2009
Study Abroad—the experience of a lifetime
Emily Sommers ’10
My time spent in Ireland was one of the best opportunities that I have encountered in my life. Growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, I quickly realized how little I knew about this huge world we live in. My first week in Ireland was definitely a different lifestyle than I had ever experienced before, but at the same time I enjoyed this change and adapted right away.
Upon arrival, I met many study abroad students from all over the world and quickly got to know them and became their friend. With these new friends, I had the privilege to travel to Scotland and to Italy, where I got to see the beautiful cities of Venice, Rome, Milan and Florence. I also was fortunate enough to take a trip to see the wonderful city of Edinburgh. This was by far my favorite trip because there was so much to see and do, and the people were very welcoming.
While at the University of Limerick (UL), I felt the need to get involved in one of the numerous clubs they had to offer, so I joined the UL club volleyball team and played teams all over the country of Ireland. It was a great way to meet more people and allowed me to see how other cultures play the game. The University of Limerick was very accommodating and I could not have asked for better Irish roommates. They were all very nice and helped me out with any questions or requests that I had during my stay.
It was when my parents and aunt and uncle came to visit that made me appreciate my family more than ever. We traveled all throughout Ireland and got to see so much! The little towns and countrysides were so unique and interesting to experience. On this voyage, I found that Ireland was truly one of the most diverse places in the world. One minute you would see mountains and beautiful green rolling hills and, before you knew it, you were looking at sandy beaches with waterfalls while overlooking the stunning peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean. My family and I had such a great time exploring Ireland and I was glad that they were able to see what I had been experiencing all the while.
My journey in Ireland was something I will never forget. Being immersed with such a diverse culture has made me step outside the box and realize the great differences in our world. After studying in Ireland, it has made me recognize who I was and who I now want to be. It also has made me understand how fortunate I am and how lucky we are to live in a country like the United States. I think studying abroad is something everyone should do and get to experience. I have learned and acquired so much that I now have a greater appreciation towards my own life.
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