So far I've enjoyed my time in Ireland, but the frustration is beginning. The waves of life have begun to crash in and I know that I need to hold firmly to Christ and know that I am in his arms. No tangible worldly desire can bring me true joy and peace.
Today was the first day we've done anything with course registration. Schooling over here is much different than in the U.S. Irish students have 7 years of primary school and 6 of secondary. This means they have a "transition year" which serves a purpose similar to that of our freshman year in college. Therefore, their time in college only last for 3 years. Most students studying abroad are Juniors, of course I am not, therefore this throws a wrench in things. With the combination of not being a junior and Irish schooling not matching up in years with American schools it's very difficult to find the right course equivalencies. In addition to this, the Irish classroom setting is also very different. Almost all classes are 50 minutes of solid lecture with no questions. Irish students do not 1) ask questions 2) get up early 3) stay at the university during the weekend. I foresee myself being quite bored with this type of classroom, but it'll just be something I'll have to adjust to. Courses are usually held only once during the week usually mon-wed. Ideally if I can free up my schedule on Fridays to travel I am a-okay with that!
Unfortunately you must go to each department secure a timetable of their courses and then make sure none of your courses overlap. In order to do this you are given 2 weeks to "try out" your courses making sure they're the right fit for you and then you go ahead and register for them on Jan. 20th. An odd system, but it kind of makes sense. It's nice to have the option to change your mind, however this timetable craziness has been driving me nuts. If all of my courses transfer perfectly than I can get through school in 4 years if I can take a J-term class or maybe a summer course. However, that doesn't look like it's going to happen. The courses are not working out and I'm feeling frustrated. I know that attending school for another semester will not be the end of the world, because the experience I will have this semester is worth much more. However, trying to figure out these classes and what to do about them has been stressful.
Balancing friendships has also been a struggle. My program includes 11 girls, we are scattered from all around the U.S. Connecticut, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey & Arizona. It has been fun getting to know the girls, but with meeting so many people and trying to figure out so many other issues while walking in the frigid cold for hours each day has worn me down. I want to go out to the pubs and enjoy time with them, but I also love to be alone. I know it's important to not stay in my apartment, I need to stretch my comfort zone and go meet others right away, but I just seem much too tired and desire to have time to myself. I am hoping the weather warms up and my energy comes back so I'll have a desire to go out, explore and have fun
...so as I was typing that, friends of mine Allison and Katie stopped by asking if I wanted to go down to apt. 16. A few Irish students invited them down so everyone in the apt complex could get to know one another. How perfect! I went downstairs had a really good time, as well as learned a few things. Lesson number 1) So if you're really drunk I'd call you "twisted". Lesson 2) Irish hospitals are horrible, slow and expensive, don't go unless your limb is falling off. Lesson 3) Learned how to roll my own cigarettes...can't say that skill is of any use to me, but I guess it makes for a fun "did you know?". Lesson 4) Receiving an Irish drivers licenses is ridiculously expensive. Lesson 5) Even the Irish use the phrase "that one time in band camp" ahah I just about fell off my chair when I heard Daniel say this behind me. It's late so I better head off to bed.
With Love from Galway
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