{"id":2231,"date":"2025-08-29T15:28:35","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T15:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?p=2231"},"modified":"2025-09-10T15:59:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T15:59:07","slug":"blog-1-pre-departure-goals-and-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/2025\/08\/29\/blog-1-pre-departure-goals-and-expectations\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog #1 Pre-departure, Goals, and Expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

In just a few days, the countdown ends, my plane takes off, and the adventure officially begins. On August 31st, I\u2019ll land at Shannon Airport in Ireland, with classes starting shortly after on September 8th.<\/span><\/p>\n

There will no doubt be highs and lows along the way, but I\u2019m incredibly excited to share this journey with you. Stay tuned for more updates on my Irish adventure!<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2014and now, it\u2019s almost here.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Expectations of Myself:<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

I expect to learn about the Irish culture and how it differs from mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Expectations of the Worldstrides Study Abroad Program and the University of Limerick:<\/span><\/p>\n

I expect the program to communicate with me and share announcements or updates about the excursions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Apprehensions:<\/span><\/p>\n

How will the 6-hour time difference affect communications with those back home?<\/span><\/p>\n

Will this trip be everything I imagined since I started planning in the spring of 2023?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Goals for the Semester:<\/span><\/p>\n

I want to leave my comfort zone and still be okay being uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

I want this experience to enrich my connections with the people at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The more music you listen to, the more you begin to understand your tastes\u2014what moves and doesn\u2019t. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the past two years, ever since the planning began, I\u2019ve been arranging an Irish music playlist\u2014filled with popular tunes, film soundtracks, and personal favorites. As I share this journey with you, I\u2019ll 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\u2019ve visited or a moment from this semester\u2014like today\u2019s selection.<\/span><\/p>\n

So for now, I\u2019ll leave you with <\/span>An Irish Blessing<\/span>\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

May the road rise to meet you<\/span><\/p>\n

May the wind be at your back<\/span><\/p>\n

May the sun shine warm upon your face<\/span><\/p>\n

May the rain fall softly on your fields<\/span><\/p>\n

And until we meet again<\/span><\/p>\n

May you keep safe<\/span><\/p>\n

in the gentle loving arms of God.<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/5mtR9qoISPU?si=_Rm8FBxknmeMCPiZ<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In just a few days, the countdown ends, my plane takes off, and the adventure officially begins. On August 31st, I\u2019ll 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\u2019m incredibly excited to share this journey with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7Lhdr-zZ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2231"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2265,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions\/2265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}