Ireland in Autumn: Why This Might Be the Best Season to Study Abroad
It is not quite here yet, but you can already smell a certain freshness in the air, feel the crisp, cool breeze, and watch the leaves slowly change colour, one by one. Autumn is beginning to take hold of Ireland.
The shops are overflowing with pumpkins and barmbrack, while cafés across the city advertise “pumpkin spice everything”. Even though the temperatures are dropping and the rain is becoming more frequent, there is also a new and vibrant energy in the city. The rugby season is starting anew, students are settling into campus life for the new academic year, and the sound of crunchy leaves beneath your shoes signals that the seasons are changing. Autumn is not only the end of summer - it is also the mark of many new beginnings.
You can observe the slow change everywhere. The Special Meaning
Autum has always held a special place within me. After the chaos of summer vacation, life seems to remind us to slow down. The trees once full of life begin to transition to a more restful state. And before you know it, we are all back in school getting back to a more regular schedule. Autum brings about countless traditions we only get to have for a couple of months. As an American, football season comes back and it's all anybody can talk about. The college tailgate or the entire Sunday dedicated to watching the NFL. Even in Ireland, hurling and rugby shows it presence among the fans and the community. The sports culture is strong in autumn and holds a special place in the year.
What excites me most is it's the perfect time for sweater weather. Exploring the beautiful scenery while throwing on a jumper brings so much comfort in me. The perfect blend of warms clothes and the cool breeze and comforting presence of friends and family. The community is so active around this time of year. Even with Halloween, the spooky tradition starts to come out. Maybe it's the perfect time to go see a scary movie or even carve a pumpkin or even go see a parade. The season of autumn has always felt like living in a dream back home, but experiencing autumn in Ireland is another thing. I get my favourite traditions with the mix of the Irish culture, the atmosphere and the people. The dry leaves beneath my feet, the warm campfire, the backyard cookouts, the traditions, and all the unforgettable memories you make is what makes autumn the best time to study abroad.
Autumn is upon us. A Season of Transitions
If you are a sentimental person like me, you may find it challenging to embrace change. Ironically, autumn has always been my favourite season, and if we are honest, it is exactly that: a season of change. While it is often challenging to settle into a new chapter of life (like a semester abroad), I have found a lot of comfort in the beginning of autumn. You can still feel the warmth of the sun on most days, and the markets are overflowing with the late harvests and the remaining abundance of summer. There is a certain whimsy in the air, as people begin to welcome the colder months by romanticising the little rituals of everyday life.
Autumn is proof that goodbyes are not always bad and that you can find joy in the process of change. Going on walks through colourful forests is my favourite thing to do in autumn, even better when a freshly cooked meal awaits you after the walk. With pumpkins, mushrooms, carrots, pears, apples and plums in season, autumn is basically begging you to make cosy soups, pies and casseroles. While most activities and events are slowly shifting indoors, it is also a time to reflect and to be grateful. I find it easier to make little adjustments to my routine and to embrace change when nature all around me is doing the same thing. It has made the transition from being at home, where everything felt familiar, to being new to Ireland and knowing almost nothing, feel a little less daunting. This is the perfect time to welcome a new season in your life. Stroll around the Milk Market, find some fresh, seasonal produce and gather all your new friends for a wonderful evening of laughter and cooking – or simply go to the pub together, of course. Cosy up, light a candle and watch the leaves change. I hope Ireland in autumn will amaze you as much as it amazes me.
Take in the vibrant colours and slow down. 
When studying abroad, you leave everything behind. Your family, hometown friends and the comfortable norm of your home country. You come to a new place to see what kind of person you will become. You embrace challenge and change, that's what life is about. Autumn brings about a new start to our lives. School, new friends, and the slow transition from the warmth of summer to the coming winter. Autumn is full of change and the perfect time to experience change within yourself and the season.
Theresa Subtil, Germany
