Amara at the Cliffs of Moher
Traveling to Ireland for the first time was like entering a fairy tale. The journey went smoothly, and my adventure truly began at Dublin Airport, where I rushed out the terminal to catch the bus that would take me to Galway. It was not raining, but the sky was overcast and there was a cool breeze. I spent five days visiting my best friend who lives in Galway. I walked along the seafront, watched the waves, and enjoyed the sunshine, which made my first walk unforgettable.
On the second day, my best friend Henrique and I went to play futsal with his mates. It was different, as I am used to speaking French to exchange information with my teammates. I was a bit lost at the beginning, but everything went well: my teammates were very friendly, so communication quickly became easy.
On the first Saturday evening, Henrique and his friend Joao took me to a pub. I could not miss this opportunity, because the French talk so much about Irish pubs that I felt compelled to check one out. It was a great night: we danced, met people, and what impressed me most was seeing people of all ages and backgrounds having fun together. I have a feeling that this semester will be different from anything I have experienced during my university years, and I am really looking forward to starting classes on Monday, 8 September.
But before that, we were welcomed by the entire International Office of Mary Immaculate College. This warm welcome allowed us to meet other students during orientation days and learn more about the city of Limerick through a guided tour that highlighted the history of the city. Thanks to the orientation days, I had the opportunity to talk to people from all around the world.
Before the plane lands.
It was also during these days that I discovered Irish culture and traditional dances, thanks to a very talented dancing teacher. We even took a trip to the Cliffs of Moher and went for a walk in Lahinch. This trip gave us a glimpse of the beauty of the Irish countryside. The grass is incredibly green, and along the way we passed castle ruins, towers and even ruined ramparts. I found the landscape beautiful: the contrast between the green fields and the grey sky creates wonderful photos.
Moving into my accommodation was a bit exhausting, as I had to walk from Henry Street (City Link stop) to my apartment, which was about thirty minutes away, with my suitcase. Fortunately, finding the right buildings for my classes was not a problem: I have a good sense of direction, so I had no difficulty finding my way around campus during orientation.
Culturally, the differences were striking but also refreshing. People could guess where I was from as soon as I spoke a few words. It makes me smile, because I am trying to improve my English accent, but I know that adaptation takes time. I know my accent will improve before I return to France, so I'm not worried. One cultural difference I've noticed that Irish people are generally very discreet; they're not loud, almost as if they would rather go unnoticed.
Looking back, this first week wasn't just about arrival, it was about adaptation. I already love Ireland and can't wait to discover more about the country and its people, as well as make new friends. I'm excited about everything that awaits me over the next four months, and I look forward to keeping you updated on my adventures through this blog.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. See you next week for a new post!
by Amara Yatassaye, France
