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.
An update from Berlin
We have just passed the mid-semester break and before long we will be seeing Christmas decorations. Experiencing this in another culture, as well as the 500 year anniversary of the 95 Theses in Germany is a huge blessing. The days are packed with classes, exploration, and university/social activities.
Like Henry and Karl, I take three hours of German class every morning and two afternoon subject courses, with no class on Fridays. I live with a host mother in southwest Berlin, just six train stops and five bus stops from the university (not actually that far!) What surprised me the most is the mix of ethnicities in Berlin and abundantly finding nearly all comforts of home, such as fast Internet and safe neighborhoods. Any thoughts about Germany being all about business should go out the window, the city does not go to sleep! I enjoy the casual stroll through beautiful autumn parks or through the many diverse neighborhoods with a cold beer in hand. A few dozen of us in the study abroad program (FU BEST) went to Wittenberg a month ago (cathedral below,) after which I went to Munich. I spent my excursion week in Dresden and Prague and was finally able to see some very cool castles.
I flew down to Rome (below) for our week off, and it was amazing to visit. The weather was perfect and there were countless things to see, after which I could relax with some Italian food and wine. Like Berlin, it is easy to stay there, since many people speak English. The more casual approach to public transportation makes the subway extremely crowded and made me appreciate Berlin’s much more. Going inside the Sistine Chapel and seeing Michaelangelo’s paintings above me was my favorite moment.
Berlin is a great place for finding things to do. As was mentioned before, the food here can be surprisingly good, with treats such as döners and currywurst immediately catching our attention. Every Thursday the university program has Stammtisch, during which we meet in a pre-selected bar and relax after a week of studying. Berlin is full of history, but for the true German environment the many other cities in Germany are more genuinely like the old country. Studying abroad, or traveling in general is a great experience which I highly recommend. It not only renews interest in the world around, but in the evangelical work we continually strive for, as well.
