I've never been a morning person, but it's so easy to get my day going when I find myself in a new place. Ventured through St. Stephen's Green Park on a morning walk with Conner and happened upon some neat statues, like the one that is now designated as this blog's background. This statue was given as a gift for the help given to the german children by the Irish after World War II. Also, located there is the sculpture pictured on the right called Famine, by Delaney Edwards. It's such a gift to be able to learn the history of another culture (which is why I'm so excited about my Ireland Uncovered course this semester). I'm grateful for mornings like this where I get to learn, especially through the art of the city.
This afternoon I was able to meet with the other exchange students that will also be studying agriculture, our international program administrator, and the dean of international students in agriculture. The dean, who is also a professor at UCD, was a study abroad student himself. Dr. Alan Fahey studied abroad at Purdue University for a semester and enjoyed it so much he returned for 7 years doing masters and PhD. I'm proud every day to call myself a Boilermaker, and I love meeting new people that share that same passion (especially from the other side of the world!). As many times as I have felt small in this big world, there have been so many small world moments like this and it reminds me that you can find a piece of home wherever you are.
[Picture below from St. Stephen's Green Park by Jacie Anderson]
This afternoon I was able to meet with the other exchange students that will also be studying agriculture, our international program administrator, and the dean of international students in agriculture. The dean, who is also a professor at UCD, was a study abroad student himself. Dr. Alan Fahey studied abroad at Purdue University for a semester and enjoyed it so much he returned for 7 years doing masters and PhD. I'm proud every day to call myself a Boilermaker, and I love meeting new people that share that same passion (especially from the other side of the world!). As many times as I have felt small in this big world, there have been so many small world moments like this and it reminds me that you can find a piece of home wherever you are.
[Picture below from St. Stephen's Green Park by Jacie Anderson]