It's been a busy past couple of days here in Ireland for me. Yesterday, I decided to attend a free student class at the Sport and Fitness center. I did my first spin class ever, and what an experience it was. Thankfully I'm still capable of walking, but that could have been the most intense 45 minutes of my life! (I guess there's a first time for everything.) It was loads of fun though, and I can't wait to check out more opportunities like that.
I was able to catch up with friends over coffee for a few hours before attending my first Irish studies course. We learned about the Hill of Tara and it's importance in Irish history. This archaeological site was created near 3200 B.C. and has only been excavated around the 1950s. Not much has even discovered about it though because of this. There is a lot of history there and has continued to be a major part of, and site for, Irish development over the centuries.
The second half of class we learned about Traditional Irish Music. Our guest lecturer talked about how this music is learned from generations of families passing it down, and almost taking it in through an absorptive process that those listening are unaware of. Most of the music have unknown composers due to this way of passing down the music. He played us an amazing, beautiful piece on his fiddle before playing us other music from different composers. I have always had a love for music which made it was so neat to hear such meaningful pieces and from different Irish instruments (such as the fiddle and uilleann pipes). I definitely can't wait for all that I will learn throughout the semester in this course.
Today after my courses, I got a run in before meeting Conner in Ranelagh for lunch and exploring. We had a nice meal before finding a cute pop up shop where we met a UCD graduate. She has an online store and has since started doing pop up shops (or temporary shops) going to different places selling things she normally would online. We were able to get some great tea and espresso accompanied with her homemade chocolate sweets.
After a nice walk on this beautiful fall day around the city, I went to a table quiz night for Engineers Without Borders with some UCD students that attended Purdue for a time. I got placed on a random team with all Irish engineering students and had the best time. (I definitely didn't help on the Ireland categories, but I still contributed a little!) My team even ended up winning the whole quiz-bingo game! We won lots of free candy and a free pint at the campus pub. (I was happy I was on that team to say the least.) I was able to meet tons of other students here and then chatting at the campus clubhouse.
Everyone is so welcoming here, and I couldn't be more grateful for such a nice community that UCD has. All the students that studied at Purdue from here have been so inviting to all events, and it is really making the experience and transition that much better and easier to handle. There are many differences here that are exciting, but also sometimes intimidating from not being familiar with them. Being on the other side as an international student, I now understand why transitioning to a new country is difficult. I'm embracing everything, including the differences, I possibly can because I know that's the only way I will get the best and fullest experience.
I was able to catch up with friends over coffee for a few hours before attending my first Irish studies course. We learned about the Hill of Tara and it's importance in Irish history. This archaeological site was created near 3200 B.C. and has only been excavated around the 1950s. Not much has even discovered about it though because of this. There is a lot of history there and has continued to be a major part of, and site for, Irish development over the centuries.
The second half of class we learned about Traditional Irish Music. Our guest lecturer talked about how this music is learned from generations of families passing it down, and almost taking it in through an absorptive process that those listening are unaware of. Most of the music have unknown composers due to this way of passing down the music. He played us an amazing, beautiful piece on his fiddle before playing us other music from different composers. I have always had a love for music which made it was so neat to hear such meaningful pieces and from different Irish instruments (such as the fiddle and uilleann pipes). I definitely can't wait for all that I will learn throughout the semester in this course.
Today after my courses, I got a run in before meeting Conner in Ranelagh for lunch and exploring. We had a nice meal before finding a cute pop up shop where we met a UCD graduate. She has an online store and has since started doing pop up shops (or temporary shops) going to different places selling things she normally would online. We were able to get some great tea and espresso accompanied with her homemade chocolate sweets.
After a nice walk on this beautiful fall day around the city, I went to a table quiz night for Engineers Without Borders with some UCD students that attended Purdue for a time. I got placed on a random team with all Irish engineering students and had the best time. (I definitely didn't help on the Ireland categories, but I still contributed a little!) My team even ended up winning the whole quiz-bingo game! We won lots of free candy and a free pint at the campus pub. (I was happy I was on that team to say the least.) I was able to meet tons of other students here and then chatting at the campus clubhouse.
Everyone is so welcoming here, and I couldn't be more grateful for such a nice community that UCD has. All the students that studied at Purdue from here have been so inviting to all events, and it is really making the experience and transition that much better and easier to handle. There are many differences here that are exciting, but also sometimes intimidating from not being familiar with them. Being on the other side as an international student, I now understand why transitioning to a new country is difficult. I'm embracing everything, including the differences, I possibly can because I know that's the only way I will get the best and fullest experience.