Chelsie - Last day

Thursday March 7th.

 

Today we depart from Ireland. I am sad to leave such a beautiful, amazing, and loving place. The people here were just too sweet and fun to be around. On the other hand I am excited to go home and see my family. I enjoyed this trip so much, it was such a blessing to go and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Ashley - Home

We are finally back in the US and I already miss Ireland and the people. Yesterday morning, we arrived at the airport, and when we were saying bye to our tour guide and driver, I actually started to tear up.. During our flight home, we actually got delayed because of an airplane accident. It set us back about an hour and we were a little worried we were not going to make our flight in Philadelphia. Instead of flying us straight to Philadelphia, we had to stop in Maine to refuel the plane; kind of a built in bonus to see Maine for free! We arrived in time at the Philadelphia airport to make our flight and made it make to Pittsburgh around 5:00pm. I was happy to see my dad at the airport to pick me up and finally get to go home and sleep in my own, warm bed. Also I was very excited to finally have heat in the buildings! In Ireland, we were lucky to be warm in the buildings, which I found to be the only complaint while there. This trip was a great experience, and I will definitely be back to Ireland.  The people I met in Ireland, I feel like I will remember them forever and they made the experience that much better.

Brian Haley

This is going to be my last post in Ireland. I had the best time on this trip. Everything was amazing, from meeting the mayor of Kerry County to playing local sports. I also enjoyed the rugby stadium in Limerick, the museums, culture, and nightlife. I want to thank my classmates for making this trip memorable. I want to thank Dr. Jean Forti, her sister Julie, and Nicole Kubit. They were extremely helpful teachers who I am happy to have met. They'll always be role models of mine for how hard they work for others. I would also like to thank Barbara Hunter. I don't know who is going to read this but I recommend Barb if you need a very professional and personal guided tour. She loves her country of Ireland and she does her job extremely well. Thanks again.
-Brian

Margaret Halligan

Tonight is our last night in Ireland which makes me sad. At first I was a little nervous going on this trip because of my first time flying and meeting new faces on the trip. I knew I was going to have fun in Ireland, but I didn't know I was going to have this much fun. I did not get home sick once because of the people I have meet and spent time with I feel we have became a family. I am going to miss spending time with this group of people even though I know I will hopefully see them at school. I will not be surprised if I shed a few tears when we leave Ireland.

Alyssa Rieffle

Today we played some Irish games called gaelic football and hurling.  Gaelic football was not my thing! I learned how to dribble and kick the ball and also the rules. It is a mixture of football and soccer.   Hurling is a lot like tennis and field hockey. I loved it. After we played some hand ball then learned an irish dance which was also very fun. I miss home but I wish we could stay longer.

Brian Haley

We just left the Experience Gaelic Games and it was very interesting. I have never heard of hurling or Gaelic football. First we watched short clips of professionals playing the sports then we went out on the field and got to actually play. It was a pretty poor showing of all of our skills but it was really fun. I would like to play every once in awhile when we get back to the U.S. Then we got to do some Irish dancing. I was bad at it.
-Brian

Ashley Schmidt

 So far this trip has been amazing. The people in Ireland are very different from what we see in America. Everyone is very friendly and so helpful; they make you feel welcomed and want you to have a good time. Days are very busy but then at night we are able to have free time and really socialize with the locals. Today, at Limerick, we got the chance to learn all about the sport of rugby. We were able to tour the Thomond Park Stadium, where The Munsters play. The Munsters are the rugby team that represent the city of Limerick. I loved being able to tour the stadium and see things that happen behind the scenes.. Everywhere we have visited, so far, is equally beautiful and I have learned so many different things in the short time we have been here.

Kris Kinsella Ireland Trip

Thus far Ireland has been fantastic. I haven't felt homesick and the locals are friendly and very helpful if we have questions. The food has been very good, I thought that the portions would be very small, but they have been similar to portions at home. And each night for dinner there has been a three course meal. The scenery is almost identical to that shown in books and postcards. It is very nice looking and there are loads of buildings and statues that have been around for hundreds of years. This is very different from the US because in the US there are not that many buildings that have survived that long.

Jamal Blackwell's Ireland Account: Part 2

We are now on Day 5 of our Ireland Experience and my time here has continued to be nothing short of great and informational. Just yesterday we spent a great deal of time on the Dingle Peninsula, and quality of all the views we were able to see we're so grand and terrific!! We took many breaks along the way to stop and really take in the scenery of the livestock in the form of cows and lambs all across the landscapes, to the insanely steep, yet beautiful rocky cliff-sides! Later on in the day we got to learn a small bit of the governmental side of things visiting the Kerry City Council meeting the mayor of County Kerry and his supporting staff. It was very surprising to see and feel the high level of comfort ability in that they all welcomed us with warm, loving, and sincerely opened arms into their world so that we could have a better understanding of their duties to their people. Then heading into the nightlife, we met some locals at a nice pub where played pool, listened to music, and had a great time talking and laughing about the similarities and differences of our cultures and how we all wanted to trade locations of living for at least a week or two just to live in one another's cultures. As the night came to a end, we exchanged information and went on our way back to the hotel for nightcap. As you can see, in only one day our travels here in Ireland have been filled with rich
history and information that has become so very valuable during my time here, and the sincerity and love felt from the people here makes it all worth while!! Now it's on to Dublin once more, and one last post to go!! Until next time, this is my sign off and I'll be back soon!!....

Alyssa Rieffle

      Today we drove to the Dingle Peninsula.  The drive was very nerve wrecking since we were so close to the edge, but it was also very beautiful. Apparently a dolphin named Fungi hangs out in the waters close by and has been there for around 20 years dipping in and out of the water. I also learned that fishermen on this island had many superstitions. If they saw a red-headed women before they went to fish they would turn around and go home since that was bad luck. We saw so many cute little lambs!!

Brian Haley -Dingle Peninsula

This scenery I'm seeing right now is amazing. We got out of the bus and took pictures at an overlook of the sea which was beautiful. It was like something that you've only seen in pictures. We also past a sheep herder who was rounding up sheep with the help of his dog.
-Brian

Bethany Stercho in Ireland 2

We are on our way to a pottery place in the town Dingle. We stopped at a gas station for a restroom stop. There was a butchers stop right next to it that we stopped into. The man was so unbelievably nice to us. His name was Paudie Moriarity. A few of us girls were looking on the shelf at a bottle of "rapeseed oil" and giggling. He said you know what that is and we said is that like olive oil? He said, it's better than olive oil. Then he said, "Grab that square bottle there. I tell you what, you take that home." We were shocked! How nice, we said about a hundred times as we repeatedly thanked him. Today has just started but has already been such a great experience filled with nice generous Irish people. Yesterday was great as well. We got to visit the beach were I found some seashells and toured Waterford crystal where I bought a beautiful bowl for my mom. This is such a wonderful trip and amazing experience!

Margaret Halligan

When I work up this morning, I felt a little more tired then usually. All the the excitement is catching up with me.  Today we are going to the Dingle Peninsula, and then to the Kerry Partnership Program,which I am really nervous about because I would like to get an internship with them. It would be such an honor working with them and getting a chance to come back to Ireland again.

Jamal Blackwell's Ireland Account: Part 1

It's day three here in Ireland and nothing that we have seen while here has not ceased to amaze me in every way possible! The residents here are wonderful loving people that have nothing but a sincere interest in our travels, in the same way we envy their country. The vibe I've received so far from the people of Ireland is that as a whole, they are very proud, hardworking, and grounded individuals that have come a very long way but that will never forget their past. Instead they remember their past through various forms of artwork and architecture that show in so many different ways their family history, their regional diversity, and their all-true individuality. From the history of immigration and the Titanic to the alternate way of driving, these past three days have been full of rich history and beautiful sights and the second half of our trip is well anticipated!! Be back soon for more updates!!....

Bethany Stercho in Ireland

Every one says Ireland is green, but until you see it for your self you will never understand how incredible it is! Today it is a little overcast but yet still gorgeous. We have seen an amazing amount of Ireland already on our trip as we started right when we got off the plane. We saw some of Dublin as we made our way from the airport to Glendalough to see St. Kevin's monastic site. We then went on to the town of New Ross to tour a ship Irish emigrants took called Dunbrody. It was eye opening to see the conditions they endured and made us realize how desperate they must have been to leave in such a way. So far today we took a stunning tour of the Waterford crystal factory. The men that work their are incredible craftsmen who had to undergo a minimum of 8 years of training to work in a specific area of the crystal forming process. So far this has been a very informative and exciting trip that I feel every American should experience in their life.

Ireland - Chelsie Plotkowski

We arrived in Ireland yesterday about 4:00A.M our time. I was amazed! For our first day, we went to Glendalough National State Park. It was so pretty to see original stone work from the 1800's, and to see the graveyard of special people. Then we ate lunch, stew and dessert, was delicious! After the park we went to Dunbrody Famine Ship, where we were given each Steerage(low class) cards to explore. Once aboard the ship we were able to see First class food prep area and sleeping arrangements. They slept on bunks of comfy beds and ate meat, fish and vegetables everyday. To the middle of the boat is where the Steerage class slept. They slept their whole family or up to 10 people plus luggage that would fit on the boards. If sleeping on the bottom bunk, any vomit or sickness would seep through and make you sick. My family of eight slept 4 men on bottom bunk, and the girl on the bottom on opposite ends. It was amazing how much space they did not have. We had to guet speakers from first class and steerage, which explained their stories. So many people lost their lives trying to journey to America for a better life. It really makes you appreciate what you have. After that we went to the hotel, where dinner was served. We had a three course meal. Everything was great! Our group went out to explore Ireland, we had so much fun, more fun then at our clubs in America. Today 3-3-13, we went to Waterford Crystal, we learned and saw how glass and crystal was made. The skill and time it takes is amazing. It takes 10 years to become a master. 98% of the glass is hand crafted' 2% is done by machine. Everything is finished by hand. The work and carvings are all done by memory. It was absolutely the most amazing, beautiful thing I have ever seen. Waterfordn Crystal makes Superbowl trophies, Heisman trophies, and a tribute sent to FDNY a sculpture of 9-11. It was in memory of Fr. Mychal Judge, it shows the firefighters carrying him. Such a touching piece, with beautiful work. Truly remarkable work, I will never forget!
~ Chelsie Plotkowski.

Dr. Jean Forti - March 2

45 degrees and partially sunny, we arrived safely and were greated warmly by our very enthusiastic and informative Irish native and tour manager, Barbara Hunter and our coach driver, Seamus.
Day 2 of arrival included a narrated tour of Dublin, a walking tour of St Kevin (church, bell tower, and kitchen), which is a 6th century Christen settlement, and an interactive tour aboard a reproduction of an emigrant ship, where thousands of Irish faced deplorable living conditions on the 6 to 8 week voyage to America.

These blogs will continue from here on out from  students on the Study Abroad trip, in their own words. Stay tuned!--Dr. Jean Forti