Week 3: Northern Ireland
I may not have left the island this past weekend, but I did exit the country. The history of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will always baffle me. (I won’t go into politics, look it up for yourself.) Crossing over to the UK didn’t require me to show my passport or go through security, but it did make me change my euros for pounds and turn all the phone booths red. My friends and I stayed at a hostel in Belfast for the weekend. From there we could take a long walk to the Titanic Museum, watch a soccer game in a local pub, and experience a bit larger city than our quaint Galway. But most importantly we could hop on a tour bus to the Giant’s Causeway. Old historic buildings are beautiful, but nothing compares to God’s work in nature. Giant’s Causeway is made up of hexagonal stones that add to the beauty of an already rich landscape. I didn’t bother to learn the science behind it because no scientist shouting billions of years could answer better than saying that God is amazing. Climbing along these rock formations was certainly an adventure because the wind kept us on our toes. My feet got wet and my hair messy, but I can honestly say that the two hours spent there are my favorite so far. Since the wind was almost blowing us into the ocean while we were on dry ground, we couldn’t cross the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge for safety reasons (which might be a good thing since even walking near it gave me goosebumps.) Maybe by the end of my trip, my fear of heights will leave me. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend full of beautiful sights, great food, and good friends.
Week 2: Class and Connemara
This past week was full of firsts, as I’m sure many weeks will be as I study abroad. Last Monday marked the start of classes at NUIG (National University of Ireland Galway). The university has over 17,000 students, and most lecture halls can seat over 200 people. This is quite different from the classrooms I have grown accustomed to at MLC. I am taking five classes here at NUIG and in each, I am learning about literature, Irish culture, and history. I can already tell that my homework will involve much reading in coffee shops. Aside from school, I also had my first days with my new soccer team. NUIG Ladies Soccer is very accommodating to us ‘Yanks.’ They seem almost as excited to have a few new Americans on the team as I am to play with them. On Thursday we had a charity event against the NUIG Gaelic Football team. We played soccer the first half and Gaelic Football (a popular national sport) the second half. Any MLC student would quickly call Gaelic Football “Speedball,” but I can teach you the slight differences when I return. Below is a picture of the ladies soccer team from Thursday. I am very excited to play my favorite sport in a new country with new friends.
On Saturday my ISA group took a day trip to the rural beauty of Connemara. We left our little urban city to see the classic rolling hills of the picturesque Irish countryside. The first stop was at Ross Errilly Friary, a ruin of the largest Irish friary (monastery) built in the 1300’s. It was absolutely beautiful, even with the rain falling on us. I learned that monks in the 1300’s must have been very short because even I had to duck in order to fit through the doors! It is incredible that such an ancient piece of history can still be standing for me to explore.
From there we traveled to Kylemore Abbey to see the beautiful gardens and the gorgeous mansion that Mitchell Henry built for his wife in the late 1800s. However, I found the trip there even more interesting than the destination. As we traveled our bus driver told us the history of western Ireland. Here you can still see the effects of the Potato Famine of 1845-1852. The picture below shows a famine house. These ruins are scattered all over the countryside, the leftover stones from houses of people who abandoned their homes to seek food and life anywhere but the desolate and diseased Ireland. The bus driver pointed out the potato fields running down the hills and mountains that are still visible over a hundred years later. Being able to physically see and touch Ireland’s history has led me to care even more about this beautiful land that is my home for the next few months.
And of course, the trip showed me the majesty of God’s creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1 “The mountains and hills will burst into song before you.” Isaiah 55:12 God surely has created a masterpiece on the west coast of Ireland, and here are some pictures to prove it! Have a wonderful week and God’s blessings!
Week One: Exploring Galway
It has been quite a week for this Minnesota girl. It seems like much longer than 7 days since I last sat in Lola’s with snow falling out the window. In that time I have been on three planes, had my passport stamped two times, and moved into a house. There are endless things to adjust to; the almost constant rain, a much larger campus, a fifteen-minute walk to get anywhere, and new people everywhere I turn. But the changes aren’t bad. The city center is absolutely beautiful and incredibly Irish. Below is a picture of Shop Street in the evening. This iconic Galway street stretches on for blocks and has countless pubs, coffee shops, and stores on each side. Christmas decorations are still lighting up the streets and alleyways, and performers on the street give the most wonderful Irish feeling.
After a walk down Shop Street, a right turn will bring you to where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. My ISA (International Studies Abroad) group and I visited the Galway museum next to the water to catch up on the rich history and enjoy the cafe before we went to campus. Below is a picture of Galway Bay.
I had attended many orientation presentations in the past few days. Ireland does college a little differently than America. Classes start on Monday, and registration for those classes also begin on Monday. In a couple weeks I will find out if the lessons I’ve been attending are actually the ones I will have the rest of the semester. It seems stressful to my American friends and me, but the Irish are certain that this is an easy and relaxed process. I am excited for school and soccer to start so that I can meet more people and get into a nice routine. Next week’s blog should have more information and pictures! Have a great week and God’s blessings!
Before the Beginning
Soon I will be leaving the white wonderland of New Ulm to don a raincoat each day. I can certainly say that departing from the negative degrees of Minnesota hasn’t caused me to shed any tears. The forecast for my day of arrival in Galway, Ireland is 40 degrees, cloudy, with a chance of rain and adventure. As I start packing for an entire semester abroad my mind is whirling with ideas of what may happen, at one moment wonderful, at the next terrifying. My empty passport is begging to be filled with stamps, and my shoes are ready to be worn through. However, my suitcase isn’t even close to ready.
As I dream about what this semester has in store for me, I find reassurance in God’s Word. “If I rise of the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:9-10. Although I may be 3,697 miles away from my home and my friends, God is never far away. So as I use this adventure to learn and grow, please keep me in your prayers. Skype and Facebook may be great ways to stay in touch from far away, but nothing will keep us as close as prayer.
Keep checking this blog if you want to see where Ireland takes me each week.
God’s blessings everyone!
Abby Enstad
Final Days In Germany
The wunderbar semester has been finished and I have returned home. Dirk, the head of the FUBEST program told us that the true effects of our experiences and hard work abroad will reveal itself in time. It is good to be home, though much of the culture and opportunities Germany offered will be missed.
After mid-semester break I went to southern Germany and stayed in a town called Garmisch Partenkirche. Sitting in the midst of the Alps, it is breathtaking whether it is bright and sunny or snowing. There is plenty of mountain climbing adventures and skiing for those interested, as well as great cafés and Bavarian dining in town.
Afterwards I toured the towns around Berlin, which are a great, quiet retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle. Germany certainly gets excited for Christmas, with many huge Christmas markets taking up the open areas and whole city blocks. Tons of candy, cookies, and delicious glühwein (wine with Christmas spices, served hot) are sold alongside Christmas decorations and gifts. My first taste of glühwein was when someone brought it to class and the teacher excitedly urged them to share it, and I was eager to make some myself for my family.
Demands were high during finals week, requiring ten page papers for each class and several essays for the exams, but I reviewed everything taught in class and did fine. The FUBEST program does a great job inside and outside the classroom and everyone involved really cares. There was even a farewell dinner with the faculty attending.
I’m grateful everyday that this experience evolved from a poster on campus catching my eye a year ago to the Berlin semester which I was able to complete. The huge boost to my German language skills alone made the time abroad worthwhile. I hope to see a few MLC students taking this opportunity each semester and receiving its exciting benefits.
