Before this trip, I told myself I didn't want to hang out with people from the States because I wanted to broaden my mindset and learn about different cultures. My flatmates are from Italy, Spain, and Canada.. and what are the odds that the last guy shows up a few days ago from my hometown in Nashville?!? We've never me, but we know the same people. Weird. But he's very nice so I can't complain. Everyone here is nice honestly. Anytime I want to be social, there's a international program going on that night. But I've recently been noticing that I need some alone time... being social all the time has really taken a toll on me.I just lock myself up in my room to journal, draw, or watch netflix all night to recover if I've had a big day of meeting new people and being social. Also, I've picked up running here too. I haven't met anyone who likes it just yet; I figured I'd just find them running on the street by now. But within three miles of my flat is the beach. HOW COOL! Maybe I could run a race here or something. Or join a local running club at least. They had a club fair last week. I joined the Ulster Geography and Environmental Society that does frequent beach cleanups, the Volleyball club that just practices every week, and Gaelic Football because when in Ireland ;)
I'm not homesick yet, and I still don't think I will be. The though of leaving in a little over 2 months is sad to think about. So I try to make the most out of my time here. My flatmate from Canada flew into Dublin instead of Belfast, so she doesn't have a visa and has to fly out of the UK within three months. We're looking up flights now to see what is cheap. Anything under 100 pounds is cool with me, and believe it or not, IT'S POSSIBLE!!! I'm only taking three classes this semester: 19 and 20c Irish Women's History, Microbiology, and Environmental Systems. They've all agreed to me taking my exams in the States when I get back. It's just the second week of classes, but it seems like a breeze to me :) Hopefully I can find time in my day to do the things I want to do. That'll be my biggest challenge.
Here's a pic of my flatmates and the place I went hiking this past weekend about 30 minutes from my uni!!!
I'm not homesick yet, and I still don't think I will be. The though of leaving in a little over 2 months is sad to think about. So I try to make the most out of my time here. My flatmate from Canada flew into Dublin instead of Belfast, so she doesn't have a visa and has to fly out of the UK within three months. We're looking up flights now to see what is cheap. Anything under 100 pounds is cool with me, and believe it or not, IT'S POSSIBLE!!! I'm only taking three classes this semester: 19 and 20c Irish Women's History, Microbiology, and Environmental Systems. They've all agreed to me taking my exams in the States when I get back. It's just the second week of classes, but it seems like a breeze to me :) Hopefully I can find time in my day to do the things I want to do. That'll be my biggest challenge.
Here's a pic of my flatmates and the place I went hiking this past weekend about 30 minutes from my uni!!!
This is a random guy I met a few days before uni started at the train station. I had no idea where to go or where to stay before orientation, and he happened to be my savior. His name is Christopher. He was backpacking from Spain and mentioned he was on his way to the Giants Causeway. I hopped on the next bus with him and stayed at the hostel he made reservations for. It was called "Fin McCools" for the folkstory associated with the Causeway. He was my first real friend.
The pics featured above were taken on my 10 mile hike with Christopher.
Left to right: Mar Lene from Germany, Noah from Nashville, me, Jolein and Hanne from Belgium, and Lisa from Germany. Finished off the hike that Christopher and I started. At this point, I've seen the whole north coast.
Day trip to Portstewart before the madness of school started. It was awfully windy that day.
Flat 6 Fam!!!! We have a shared kitchen/living room area, toilet room and shower room. We're kind of fit tight, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We're technically "off campus", but we're very, very close to the uni. We all leave our flat 5 minutes before class. It's quite nice :) reminds me of Mville