angelinapacosa

While I’ve had absolutely wonderful experiences in Cork so far, probably the least favorite of mine has been adapting to this academic system, especially now that the semester is starting to come to an end. Which means it’s time for finals.

Luckily, I don’t have any “real” exams- my finals are either papers (submitted outside of class), or in-class essays. However, most of these assignments are due within a few days of each other, which is starting to become a bit overwhelming. I have four papers I have to write and all of them have to be 2,500 words each. That doesn’t sound like a lot of words… until you’re writing them. I’m a psychology major, so I’m no stranger to writing lengthy papers (and I do prefer them over multiple choice exams) but nearly 10 pages- depending on the line spacing- for each? It’s a lot of work. Especially when they’re due very close together.

For my other final, I have an in-class essay. I have one hour to answer the prompt and provide evidence from sources that have been provided. That also sounds pretty daunting to me. I’ve done essay questions on exams before, but they’ve been primarily argumentative (where you don’t really need sources to provide evidence) or about material we’ve learned in class, so I am a bit nervous about how it will go. Especially since all of these finals are worth a majority of my grade.

My biggest challenge during this study abroad experience has been adjusting to this academic system. I can say that, even now, I’m still not comfortable. And I’m not a fan. I’ve found that I need more than just readings to keep me accountable throughout the semester. Turning in assignments over the weeks leading up to the midterms or finals gives me a way to mark my progress in the course, and track how much I’m learning. Or if I’m learning enough, at the right pace. It’s been extremely difficult for me to hold myself accountable to actually absorb the information I’m learning. Which is why I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed now. I didn’t think that my study abroad experience would be without challenges, but I wasn’t exactly expecting them from the “study” part. Which I’m now realizing was a bit of an oversight. I’ve always been a really good student, so dealing with this new system has been- probably- the biggest culture shock for me. And, unfortunately, a source of anxiety.

I actually have finished and submitted one final paper, and I will say, I do feel a bit better now. I made sure to start with a paper that I felt the most comfortable with and knowledgeable about, which I think has built my confidence a little more. I don’t feel as overwhelmed as I did last week, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me. I need about 500 more words for my second paper, so I am hoping to have it finished tomorrow (just over a week before the submission date) so that I have time to go back and edit it before submitting.

So, I’m getting there. I’m a bit overwhelmed, but I’m getting there. I’m trying to remind myself that it feels like a really big deal right now because I’m living in the moment, but in two months, two years, ten years, it will just be a distant memory. It won’t be a big deal anymore, and I’ll feel silly for making it such. It’s all about perspective. One day, I won’t look back on my study abroad experience and remember the four 2,500 word papers I had to write, I’ll remember all the other wonderful experiences I’ve had, and the amazing people I’ve met.

When I was registering for classes at UCC over the summer, I was really intrigued by the possibility of taking an archaeology class. This kind of course is (mostly) not accessible in the U.S and I’ve always been interested in learning about the way people lived hundreds of years ago. The specific class I registered for covers archaeology in the later medieval period of Ireland- it’s a crash-course about both Gaelic and Anglo-Norman ways of life in Ireland from about 1150-1550 AD. As a bonus feature of the course, this past Saturday we went on a field trip to East Cork and Youghal (pronounced “yawl”), where castles and churches from the later medieval period still stand. We had several stops, and there were a few that really left an impression on me.

I. Conna Castle, East Cork

Irish castles are extremely unique because they don’t tend to follow the traditional structure we picture when we think of castles. Instead, they are mostly stone towers that- out of necessity- were primarily defensive in function due to hostilities with England. Many of these castles were strategically built on higher ground with stone quarries (for building) and a water source nearby, like Conna Castle. Unfortunately, a majority of these tower castles around Ireland are considered ruins, primarily because a lot of them do not have ceilings and, in general, they are extremely unstable. Conna Castle is a great representation of the functions of tower castles in the later medieval period, and it was an incredible experience to see it.

III. St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal

St. Mary’s Church is a really unique landmark in Youghal, County Cork. It’s almost an amalgamation of different period influences: later medieval, the Reformation, the Renaissance, and the Victorian Era. The most notable of these features is St. Mary’s ceiling: most of the wooden beams are original to the first church, carbon dated back to the 12th century. This is extremely remarkable because it is one of the only- if not the sole- surviving examples of later medieval church roofs. The rest of the church has been restored: the Reformation saw the installation of medieval replica tiles, the Renaissance saw the construction of renaissance-style tombs, and the Victorian Era introduced most of the stained glass throughout the church. While St. Mary’s is not a perfect preservation of the later medieval period, the parts of it that have survived have taught archaeologists a lot about church construction during the period. The church itself is extraordinary.

The Youghal city wall was constructed around the church, some of it original to the later medieval period while other parts are the conservation attempts of the Victorians. While up on the city wall, you can see out over the church grounds and onto the water.

I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to take this archaeology class. Not only am I learning so much about the architecture of later medieval Ireland, I’m also gaining knowledge about the way of life during the period. My overall goal with my courses was to be able to learn as much about Ireland as I can- past and present- and I feel like I’m really connecting to its origins.

Author: angelinapacosa

Things Are Picking Up

East Cork and Youghal