My time abroad in Ireland was truly a life-changing experience on both a personal and educational level. Having a month to immerse myself in another country allowed me to go beyond the tourist experience and really see how another culture lives and thrives.

One specific experience that I had was becoming mildly ill. I spent a couple of days struggling with a sore throat and congestion before researching my local options. I found a nearby pharmacy and was honestly overwhelmed by my prospects. Where we in the US are bombarded with advertisements and sales on over-the-counter medications, in Ireland I found myself waiting in line to talk to a pharmacist. The pharmacist did a brief, but inclusive, assessment. I half expected to be turned away and told to follow up with a doctor somewhere, but instead the pharmacist provided me with very affordable medications that took care of my issues. On a personal level, I was amazed by the ease of access to care and the pharmacist not only having the time but the authority to provide a plan of care. On an educational level, as someone who is pre-med, I marveled at the ways this provided both better care for patients and must ease the load on urgent care and primary care facilities.

My time abroad most assuredly increased my self-confidence. I had somewhat assumed that there would be more ‘guided excursions’ locally. While I greatly enjoyed the day trips to Galway and Belfast that were arranged, I found myself with an abundance of time on my own. At first there was the feeling of being a young woman in a different country, but I soon came to realize that I felt very safe. The police were very present and accessible in brightly marked vehicles and vests. The people were pleasant and eager to help with directions and tips. With this confidence I was able to see 800-year-old mummies, castles, ancient ruins. I took tours at Guiness, Jameson, and Christ Church Cathedral. I took a ‘haunted’ Ireland tour and got to see burial sites and cemeteries older than our country. I went to a Ukelele night at a pub – which was quite the experience! I even hopped on a super early flight to Scotland for a day adventure in Edinburgh. Because of this program, I could now see myself traveling in Europe again. Which, honestly, as someone that was raised in a very small town in the Midwest, had been more of a dream than a possibility.

Again, I just want to thank you for helping to make this adventure possible. Not only did I enjoy the class and learned a great deal from the professor, but the lived experience of this program has changed my perspective on travel and my general self-confidence.

Name: Sophie Kelly
Status: Junior
Majors: Neuroscience and Psychology
Hometown: Russiaville, Indiana
Program: CEA CAPA Study in Dublin, Ireland