The Holiday Season in Cork

Published on by angelinapacosaLeave a comment

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:

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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.

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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.

Departure Post

Published on by vanessacepedaLeave a comment

It’s unbelievable to come to the realization that I will be wrapping up my study abroad program here in Milano Italy. It’s honestly a bittersweet moment for on one hand I want to get back to work and save up for new milestones, see my family and spend the holidays with them and being back to the lecture styles I’m used to because as mentioned many posts ago that’s the one thing I kinda struggled getting used to here. For I thrive with engaging lectures and I’m forever grateful to be a part of a University back home that focuses on that. Yet on the other hand, I will miss the connections I have made here. It’s almost impossible to imagine not saying Buongiorno( good morning) to the residence staff at my unit. In addition, to the comfortable and easy way of life here combined with the marvelous architecture, cheer and flee markets where I reinvented my wardrobe from. I would say that most of all I am upset at how I will not experience the end of winter in Italy and I won’t experience spring joys and beach days, but dreaming of them will be all I can do.

But something I did experience was the annual tree lighting festivity by the Duomo square. 

Now that being realistic has served it’s purpose, don’t be mistaken for I am aware that I can confidently return to Italy in the foreseeable future and the fear of things not being the same as my time here has been will be hard but it’s also a door for new memories. At least I can say I’m now fluent in Italian as well and will most definitely continue to exercise that blessing. I can’t believe I was ever unsure about going abroad for classes, that I was ever fearful of it but having a nice support system to encourage me was definitely what gave me the courage to leap into this experience and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Last weekend I made a solo trip to Como town where Lake Como is, the town was beautifully decorated and for some reason their giant Christmas tree was my favorite so far. My intention was simply to pass some time by the dock and admire the mountain ranges but everything quickly elevated with the festivities of the town. That pretty much sums up Italian culture its always celebrating something and spreading its joy when you least expect it.

During my last week I will be saying my farewells to the coffee shop that fueled me through all my homework assignments, to the Spritzeria across the street from class that posted me on their Instagram simply from my “vibe”, to City Istanbul that learned my name and created a student menu, to my short term professors, to my advisors, colleagues, my balcony and it sunrises, my room filled with trinkets from all over the continent and a farewell arrivederci to Italy.

Ciao!