Author: angelinapacosa

I can’t believe that my study abroad experience has already come to an end. The last four months have been such a surreal experience, filled with discovering new places, meeting new people, and learning new things.

My last day in Cork, I spent visiting all of my favorite places. Although I did have to start the day off bright and early by taking my last exam. The venue was about 20 minutes away from my apartment, in UCC’s sports arena. There were at least 385 people in the room taking exams at the same time- I know because I was in seat number 385- and it was a very unfamiliar testing environment for me. But I felt a huge relief once my exam was completed, and because it was so early in the morning, I had the rest of the day to spend in Cork.

I walked around the city center for a while, traveling roads that had become familiar to me over the last four months. I visited my favorite cafe, my favorite restaurant, and my favorite gelato place. I said goodbye to my friends and promised to keep in touch. I packed up my things and cleaned my apartment, kneeling on my suitcase so it would close around everything I’d accumulated while abroad.

Then yesterday, I woke up bright and early again, packed the few remaining things and took a cab to the airport. I had a 16 hour travel day ahead of me. I flew from Cork Airport to London (Heathrow), and from there had a short layover before heading home. It was a very long day, and with the five hour time change, I was incredibly exhausted once I finally got home. I was a bit sad about having to go home, but there is something about familiarity that brings comfort. As soon as I was on the same roads I had travelled all of my life- that I knew I could navigate with my eyes closed- I felt almost a sense of closure with my abroad experience.

I wouldn’t trade my experience abroad for anything. If I was given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. I met so many incredible people from all over the world, learned so much about other cultures and customs, and I learned so much about myself as well. I am used to being independent- I am an only child, I go to school out of state, I’m used to doing things on my own if I have to. But being alone in a different country is something else entirely, and I feel like I discovered another part of my personality- a part that is willing to be adventurous.

I will be forever grateful that I had this opportunity, and forever thankful that I seized it. I realize how lucky I am to have had the chance to study abroad, and it is an experience that I will cherish forever.

Believe it or not, the Irish have been celebrating Christmas since late November. (Well, if they’re not “celebrating,” they’re certainly eager to start). This is obviously a big change from home, since we have Thanksgiving to break up the slog between Halloween and Christmas. So it was a bit odd for me that Cork decided to throw a Christmas parade on November 15th:

It was actually the first annual “Corkmas” parade, so now I can say I was part of Cork’s history. Kind of.

Usually, it’s easy for me to get into the Holiday spirit. Christmas is my favorite holiday- and not just because of the whole presents thing. Christmas, for me, makes me feel nostalgic for when this time of the year had a sort of magical feel. There’s something special about it that brings family, friends, and even strangers together. But for some weird reason that I can’t put my finger on… it doesn’t exactly feel like the Holiday Season here in Cork.

I’m not used to being away from home during this time of year, so maybe it’s that. It’s not for a lack of trying. The city itself is very merry, lit up on every block, a Christmas tree on every other corner in the city center.

I think it also has something to do with the fact that I’m not typically still doing school work at this time of the year. (Which, I am thankfully almost done with. I submitted my fourth- and final- paper yesterday and only have one exam left next week!)

All of this to say, it’s difficult to get into the Holiday Season mindset away from home. A lot of my friends here have expressed a similar sentiment. I guess there is something to be said about the notion of being home for the holidays.

And I only have about another week here in Cork, so I think seeing all the holiday decorations also kind of signals an end to my study abroad experience. It is almost unfathomable to think that I’ve been in Cork since early September- it sometimes feels like I’ve just gotten here. I suppose the Holiday Season is kind of a physical reminder that my time abroad is winding down, which obviously makes me sad. All good things must come to an end. But I still have some time in Cork, a city I have truly grown to love.