Blog #1 Pre-departure, Goals, and Expectations
In just a few days, the countdown ends, my plane takes off, and the adventure officially begins. On August 31st, I’ll land at Shannon Airport in Ireland, with classes starting shortly after on September 8th.
There will no doubt be highs and lows along the way, but I’m incredibly excited to share this journey with you. Stay tuned for more updates on my Irish adventure!
Last semester, at the end of my pre-departure class, we were challenged to write down our expectations and goals as we prepared for this experience. It was a meaningful way to reflect on what lies ahead—and now, it’s almost here.
Expectations of Myself:
I expect to talk with close friends and family about the ebb and flow of new experiences and being away from the most familiar people and places.
I expect to learn about the Irish culture and how it differs from mine.
Expectations of the Worldstrides Study Abroad Program and the University of Limerick:
I expect the program to communicate with me and share announcements or updates about the excursions.
I expect the program to be prepared at my arrival, provide me with the information I need, and support me in obtaining the necessary credentials for entry.
Apprehensions:
How will the 6-hour time difference affect communications with those back home?
Will this trip be everything I imagined since I started planning in the spring of 2023?
Goals for the Semester:
I want to leave my comfort zone and still be okay being uncomfortable.
I want this experience to enrich my connections with the people at home.
Music has played a significant role in my life. I am a consumer of music, not a composer. It has the power to transport us, to stir memories, and even to lift the soul in praise to the Lord.
The more music you listen to, the more you begin to understand your tastes—what moves and doesn’t. You come to expect a particular style from musicians, and when you press play, you expect a song to play based on the title listed.
For the past two years, ever since the planning began, I’ve been arranging an Irish music playlist—filled with popular tunes, film soundtracks, and personal favorites. As I share this journey with you, I’ll include a link to a song with each post. It might be a track I simply love, or it may connect to a place I’ve visited or a moment from this semester—like today’s selection.
So for now, I’ll leave you with An Irish Blessing…
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May you keep safe
in the gentle loving arms of God.
https://youtu.be/5mtR9qoISPU?si=_Rm8FBxknmeMCPiZ
Blog 1 – Awaiting Finding Myself
Hey friends!
My name is Katie Gilkey, and I am about to leave the United States to study abroad in Limerick, Ireland, for one semester! There are so many emotions and exciting things to prepare for at the moment. Through this blog, I hope to share with you what I am experiencing and help you to be a part of my adventures along the way! Thank you for being here and reading what I have to say!
First things first…something that I hold in high regard is to keep a positive attitude, even when things are challenging! So to help overcome this, I gratitude every day. This means that I find things throughout the day that I am grateful for in order to keep a more positive attitude – gratitude!
Three things I am grateful for:
- Family and Friends (and their constant love and support).
- Technology (to help me stay connected to people all over the world).
- The Sun (it is warm and always makes me happier).
Last semester, I took a pre-departure class where we examined ourselves and constantly thought of goals to help guide our experiences while being abroad! I want to share with you what some of my goals and expectations are prior to leaving in one week!
Two expectations I have for myself during this semester:
- Improving my cross-cultural communication skills.
- Learning how to live in the moment, to “just be”.
I have had many previous opportunities and experiences to travel around the world and I always come to the conclusion that I love seeing the way different cultures communicate! It is important to me to accept, love, and cherish the beauty of the way people express themselves in a variety of ways including body language, facial expressions, movement, and language itself. As a result of focusing on my cross-cultural communication skills, I hope to communicate God’s love to all people more effectively!
Living in the moment. A hard task living in a “doing” culture. We are always busy and seem to always have something planned, every second of the day. I am looking forward to having a change of pace while living abroad, one that may give me an ideal opportunity to “just be” and live in the moment. I love to give myself to people all the time, but I am finding that it is important for me to begin caring for myself better so that I may care for others more! Therefore, I want to set better boundaries for myself in order to accomplish well-rounded mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health and well-being.
Two expectations I have for the program:
- To gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for how other cultures learn.
- To be provided experiences that I can cherish forever.
Taking classes at MLC and spending time in classrooms has provided me with a vast perspective on the intricacies of how people learn. God is so amazing that every person would be created uniquely, including a unique brain with a unique sense of learning. I am excited to witness for myself the way in which classes are taught to meet the needs of various types of learning in another country. My classes will not only provide me with lifelong memories, but the experiences, excursions, and opportunities that arise will undoubtedly become close to my heart and an integral part of my personal growth.
Two goals I hope to achieve by the end of this experience:
- To have a basic knowledge of Irish music and dance.
- To be more confident in being comfortable with the uncomfortable.
I have always identified myself as a dancer. The joy that I experience when I move my body is unmatched. Unfortunately, I am currently going through a time of growth as I am no longer able to dance the way I once did due to some medical situations. However, I have been able to take a step back and learn to appreciate how different people move. All people move in some capacity, and the way in which people move communicates many things about their culture, their perspectives, and their personality! It is fascinating to ponder, and I am enthused to have the opportunity to be exposed to the way the Irish move their bodies!
Earlier this summer, I was thinking about how I have grown as a person by having to travel back and forth across the country to attend school. It crossed my mind how traveling in my hometown seems almost effortless, easy, and completely and utterly comfortable. I barely have to think about how to get somewhere. But while I was driving down a country road in a different state, it dawned on me how uncomfortable (compared to home) it is to be traveling in a place that is unfamiliar. Depending on who you are and the experiences you have had, this can be a daunting thing to think about. I realized that I felt lucky to have had opportunities to be introduced to uncomfortable situations, and I pray for many more moments of uncomfortability that will eventually lead to learning and growth.
I believe that my greatest challenge will be:
- To overcome adversity with resilience, patience, grace, and love.
Adversity is everywhere. Difficulties arise daily, whether that be someone struggling with a particular sin, a relationship that is on the fritz, or a particular nagging negative thought that seems to weigh you down effortlessly. However, there are some particular characteristics that are needed to overcome this adversity. Tenacity, grit, determination, perseverance, strength, forbearance, and love are just to name a few. But ultimately, Christ is at the center of these characteristics. He is our rock, strength, and shield with his mercies and grace new every morning. What a blessing it is that we can rely on Him freely, and I seek to overcome the challenge of putting my faith over my fears in every situation.
Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes things are happy and wonderful and sometimes life is downright hard. However, in every situation that passes through our threshold of life lived, there are always new perspectives to be gleaned!
Highlights of my time preparing for Ireland include:
- Purchasing new luggage
- Thinking about what is to come and how to pack for a variety of experiences
- Meeting my University of Limerick buddy (Her name is Izzy!)
- Spending special time with friends before leaving
- Welcoming everyone back to the MLC campus as an RA
- Writing this blog
Low-lights of my time preparing for Ireland include:
- Being unsure of what to expect and packing accordingly
- Feeling lots of emotions about leaving my friends in my Senior year
- Living out of a suitcase for two weeks before going to Ireland
- Missing family and friends
Learned Insights from the Low-lights:
- Nothing is permanent; this is temporary and not my forever.
- Being unsure of things can present an opportunity for low expectations and great surprises when I arrive.
- By feeling lots of emotions, it means that I deeply care about everyone in my life and every aspect of my life. This is a blessing that God would give me so many things to miss and love so dearly.
- Living out of a suitcase for extended periods of time helps to give us perspective on the blessings of consistency and routines in our lives!
Scripture that has been close to my heart this week in my preparations:
- Romans 12:12 – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
- Psalms 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
With that, this is what has been on my heart and on my mind while preparing myself to leave in one week! I pray that the Lord blesses you in all that you do and that you continue to live your life, “all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)!
Joyful thoughts in Christ,
Katie Gilkey
Berlin Bound
In just a few days, I’ll be boarding a plane to Berlin, and it still doesn’t feel real. This is something I’ve looked forward to for so long, and now it’s just a few days away…
Right now, floor space in my room is nonexistent. Piles of clothes, a suitcase, and way too many things I think I need to bring take up all of the space in my room and my brain. What does one pack for a semester abroad?
I’ve wanted to study abroad for a while, and Berlin always stood out to me. It’s a city with so much history and culture, but also a place that feels alive and creative. From the food to the art and music scene, it’s the kind of place that seems like it has something new to discover around every corner. That’s what makes me so excited to spend a semester there.
At the same time, I know it won’t all be easy. Here at home, I know my routines. I set the same alarm every morning, know how to get to class without even thinking, and who to text when I need to hang out. In Berlin, all of that will be different. I’ll have to figure out the train system, order food in German, and adjust to living in a place I’ve never been before. That’s a little scary, but I think that’s also the point.
One of the biggest reasons I chose to study abroad is to challenge myself. I want to step out of what’s comfortable and see how I grow. I want to explore new places, try new foods, and experience as much as possible. I want to meet as many new people as I can and gain some new friends. I know I’ll miss home sometimes, and I know there will be moments where I feel out of place. But I’m hoping those moments will teach me just as much as the fun ones.
I’ve been thinking about some goals for myself while I’m abroad. I’d love to improve my German, and become a better communicator. I want to meet new people and build friendships that I couldn’t have had if I stayed here. And I want to take time to slow down and notice little things like how a street feels in the morning, or what makes Berlin different from anywhere else I’ve been.
Right now, though, I’m still writing this from my room, excited, ready, and happy. I’m still packing, still saying my goodbyes, and still imagining what it will all be like. I hope that as I write my last blog for this study abroad experience that I’ll be able to look back on this post and see how far I’ve come. Soon enough, I’ll actually be there, writing from Berlin instead of about it. But for now, I’m just grateful for the chance to go and excited to see what’s waiting for me on the other side of the flight.
Tschüss!
My First Blog
Hi, my name is Paul Wagner, and I am about to embark on a long trip to the European continent. My home base will be in Berlin, and I will be staying with a lovely host family. I think I will really be able to learn a lot from living with these German people in everyday life. Attila and Elvira are the names of the people willing to take me in for a couple of months. But I am also planning on doing some traveling outside of Germany as well to countries like France, Italy, and Switzerland. It will be interesting to see the difference between Germany and these other countries, which are right next door. While I am there, I will also be taking classes at the university. Most of my coursework will be German language instruction. So I am hoping that between that and speaking in German with my host family and being immersed in the language, I will become relatively proficient by the end. I am also taking two other courses that are taught in English. This will be a very different experience from American college, and I think that I will learn many things outside of the classroom, as I explore and go to museums and see sites with thousands of years of history. I have some goals that I hope to achieve through this program. I want to be able to have full and meaningful conversations in German with a German speaking person and I think this will be achievable through hard work in the classroom and dedication outside of it. My other goal is to regularly speak to strangers. This takes more initiative and courage on my part to deliberately go out and speak to strangers in German. I want to achieve these goals but even if I don’t, I know I will learn something from this time that I spend there. And I think that it will be more formative than my other travels because I will be living and spending time with the people there. I really hope that I do go out and actually speak with the people though. I don’t think there are many ways in which my experience will be failure. And I am currently receiving great encouragement from three guys sitting next to me at the airport who shared their study abroad experiences in Europe a couple years ago. They also think that just being there and being able to travel is such a great opportunity. I am really excited to go and a little sad to not be at home and with many familiar faces, but luckily for me two other students from MLC are coming with me who I know quite well so I will not be all alone. They will also help me achieve my goals while I am through encouragement and mutual struggle. And I am most excited to be able to see so many new places with them and share great memories that will last a lifetime.
Livingstone was a great explorer. I, too, will be exploring. – Paul Wagner
Prep Time is Over: Adventure Awaits!
Honestly, I can’t believe that my semester abroad is finally here! I feel like I’ve been telling people for two years how I’m going to go on this huge adventure, but it’s been so long that it was starting to feel like I would never actually go. In preparation for my time abroad, and in relation to my majors, I took three summer classes this year. I’ve never had a more stressful summer! However, I’m really proud of myself for working through this so that I can go on this adventure. I feel like this experience will be something that I will never regret and may never have the opportunity to do something like this again.
Now, I am three shifts of my summer job and one night of packing away from going on a journey that will truly change me. I don’t know how to pack my life into a suitcase and a backpack, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I look forward to everything that I’m going to learn, including German (hopefully), and I’m excited to get to know new people that God will place in my life.
At this point, it doesn’t feel real, but I’m not nervous anymore. Looking back at my original goals and expectations list, I see a lot of fears. Fears that I will miss my family, fears that my friend group may change drastically while I’m gone, and many other fears. I recognize that those were my fears, but I don’t share them anymore. My family is one call away, and they’re coming to visit me in October! My friends will be there for me and I’m so excited to see them when I get to school in January.
I also see that I wanted to spend a lot of this time working on myself, and I do. I want to focus on becoming a more positive person in situations that I can’t control. And I think I will. Already, texting with my host family has made me feel so much better. I can’t wait to meet them and make connections halfway across the world. This is my time to make decisions for myself, to see God‘s creation, and find out that I am capable of growth!
I wrote on that goals and expectation sheet that I am my own worst enemy. This is true, but only if I wish to stay that way. I also think that I can be my own support and find strength in that. I have confidence that I will do well and that confidence is what will make me succeed.
So, in this post, I’m going to make new goals for myself. I want to try my host Family‘s vegetarian food and enjoy it. I want to get coffee on a busy street in Berlin and just listen to all the voices. I want to see the history of Germany and what really happened that made it into what it is today. I want to make it to Paris and London and Italy. I want to see God‘s beauty every day and thank him for this amazing opportunity. I want to make friends with people my age that I feel encouraged to keep ties with once I leave.
I now recognize the magnitude of the opportunity that lies before me and can’t wait to face every situation head on.
Here’s one last pic of all my wonderful cousins and I until I see them again when I return!
