I am currently studying abroad at the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland for my Spring 2022 semester. While it has only been a short two weeks, I already learned and experienced so many new things and started to go beyond what I am typically exposed to! The first week here was orientation week where I attended online sessions to learn more about my time here, the university, and Ireland. School began the second week, and during this week I got to ?tour my classes? to pinpoint which classes (modules) I wanted to take. Along with two core business courses and an MIS elective, I?m excited to be taking Irish Folklore while here. The classes are structured and presented differently at UL than at A&M, and the grades are largely based on a final exam. For each class, I either attend two 50-minute or one 1-hour and 50-minute-long lectures along with a 1- or 2-hour lab or tutorial for the module each week. My biggest lecture is online for COVID safety reasons, but the rest are on campus.
My initial impression of the university, the city of Limerick, and Ireland is that everything here is so green and beautiful. There is so much nature, culture, and history everywhere you look, and I love it! While a lot is different than it is in Texas, I did not experience too much culture shock. However, I did have to adjust to a few cultural differences such as the 6-hour time difference, driving/walking on the left side, using 24-hour military time, Celsius and the Metric system, and relying on public transportation like the bus and train.
Irish people are extremely friendly, laid back, cheerful, and welcoming to all, and the majority speak English which is helpful. I love the fun and lively culture of Ireland, and there are even a couple of pubs right on campus for the students to enjoy after a long day of classes and studying! Additionally, music is big here and I really enjoy listening to live music and watching Irish dancing (fun fact: the rock band The Cranberries were formed in Limerick, Ireland)! Sports are also a huge thing at UL, and I can?t wait to watch a traditional Irish sport such as hurling (the world’s fastest field sport) and Gaelic Football.
The climate in Ireland is cool, damp, windy, and cloudy but the weather has been pretty pleasant so far. It has mostly stayed around 35-50?F and while light rain showers are common, the sun still comes out plenty. I have gone out to the city center and to the weekend Milk Market, and I feel safe walking and using public transportation. COVID-19 is taken more seriously in Ireland and there are stricter restrictions, however, there has been a national easing of restrictions recently. For instance, Ireland had an 8 PM curfew when I first arrived, but the curfew was lifted a week ago. The use of masks is still required in indoor settings and public transport.
The stores and restaurants may be different and sell different products, but there are some familiar places such as Aldi, TK Maxx, Starbucks, Subway, and even KFC. I?ve enjoyed Irish food, but I still have to try a lot of the traditional meals. Along with their drinks, the Irish love potatoes and chips, or as we like to call them: French fries. Standard chips are commonly served with meals (even pizza), but you can also get different flavors and toppings with chips for a snack or meal! Spice bags are a popular fast food dish found at Chinese takeaways in Ireland. Typically, a spice bag consists of chips, chicken, peppers, onions, a variety of spices, and curry sauce and they?re so tasty!
UL?s campus is stunning, and each building is unique. Compared to Texas A&M, the campus and student population is a lot smaller at the University of Limerick. The student body at UL is close to 16,500 students, including more than 2,000 international students which is amazing because I?ve gotten to meet people from all over the world. Conversely, A&M has more than 70,000 students. It is definitely a big difference population and size-wise, but I?m enjoying the smaller campus vibe and seeing more familiar faces while walking around campus. The entire campus is walkable and there is a short 10-minute break between classes since it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from one side of campus to the other. The Kemmy Business School is smaller compared to Mays with about 3,000 students, but KBS is still one of the largest business schools in Ireland and is in the top 1% of business schools in the world.
Many locals also occupy the campus to walk, bike, exercise, and eat because it is such a wonderful campus to be at. Personally, I love walking around campus, especially on the Living Bridge over the Shannon River. The study abroad and exchange program at UL is remarkable. They offer tons of support, fun and educational events, and weekend day trips around Ireland. This past Saturday I went on the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren tour, and all the sites were truly breathtaking. I?m looking forward to the Blarney Castle and Cork City tour this Saturday, and can’t wait for the experiences and trips to come! So far, I have fallen in love with Ireland and the University of Limerick in all its beauty. During the upcoming weeks, I hope to travel more around Ireland, become increasingly globally aware, challenge myself, and truly immerse myself in the culture and customs of Ireland!
Me at the Cliffs of Moher