SHU In Ireland

May Term 2009: A letter from a non SHU student

Sean Pol and Deanna,

Thank you so much for all your help and support in making the study abroad
experience in Ireland this past May 09 so rewarding! You were both so kind
throughout the entire process. It was a pleasure meeting both of you. I
especially appreciate you both making sure I received e-mails and all
important information before and during the program even though I do not
use Facebook. I really appreciate it.

Studying abroad in Ireland with SHU was such an amazing experience and I
have so many wonderful memories! I especially enjoyed climbing Mt.
Brandon! I look forward to doing it again one day!

Thank you again so much!

Thanks,
D. Turner

Thank You...

 End of Term Entry

 Seán here, the Dingle, SHU Director, I just want to write an entry before I take my summer holidays to thank all the students who came over to Dingle in the various programs in 2009, they are specifically, the January Term, Spring Break, May Term and Spring Semester.

I’m delighted that again this year, that all the terms were a great success and that’s down to a few factors. Of course, the location is ideal, Dingle is a beautiful town and is ideally suited to study abroad programs, the students love the town and feel ‘right at home’ almost immediately, with the students getting a great welcome from the locals.

The location also allows the students to embark on various adventures, climbing the second highest mountain in Ireland, kayaking out to Fungi, surfing, etc etc

SHU Dingle are also very lucky to have the great professors and guest speakers that teach the various courses.

But, the most important factor in the success of the Dingle Study Abroad Program, is the calibre of the students themselves. I’m lucky that I get the chance to deal with such great students; they are enthusiastic, respectful and have a great sense of fun, which makes my job so much easier. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who came to Dingle this year, and who made the various programs such great fun, not just for the students themselves, but, also for me. I’m hoping that I’ll meet up with some of them again sometime in the future. and remember, there’s always a welcome for past students here in Dingle

 

 

Jan Term: Dingle 2009

SHU in Ireland January 2009

Dingle

                Ireland is gorgeous, even in the winter.  It is far prettier in January than what I had imagined as I crossed the Atlantic.  I was afraid that the winter season might make it less beautiful than the pictures I had seen from friends who were in the May group.  This, however, was not the case.  Dingle is no exception and the town and scenery is gorgeous, even in January.  The cottages are beautiful and well equipped with starter snacks like crackers and jam.  They overlook gorgeous hillsides and pastures and, best of all, the town itself. 

                The town is not far and it doesn’t take long to walk to class or the pubs.  Speaking of the pubs, they are a completely different atmosphere than most of the bars I had been to: the pubs are laid back and filled with people of every age.  It’s a fun atmosphere to hang out, without the sloppiness of many of the American bars.  The classrooms are old but the building, like the rest of the town, has a lot of history.  The people in Dingle are friendly to us and are welcoming and accommodating.

Hill Walk

                The hill walk was a great introduction to Ireland.  Despite the controversy of its name (most people would argue that both the “hill” and “walk” parts are misleading ways to name the hike to a peak that overlooks the gorgeous scenery of Ireland), the view was gorgeous and well worth the climb.  Along the way, there are stops to be made and certain history to learn about, such as the flea baths where sheep were chased into a pool of solution to stave off bugs.  At the top myself and a few others climbed off the trail to the very top and were greeted with a view rivaling everything I’ve ever seen.

                On the way down it began to pour, reminding me why I had lugged my rain jacket up the “hill” despite the decent beginning of the day.  It didn’t matter though, I felt exhilarated and had a memory card full of beautiful pictures to send home.

Tour

                The coast of Ireland is absolutely stunning, as was the day we took our bus tour.  The seaside cliffs had a breathtaking view of gorgeous blue water and the Blasket Islands.   There were plenty of photo opportunities and places to stop for pictures.  The tour guide was knowledgeable and we learned more than I can repeat in a single entry.  We stopped at the Blasket Islands visitor center and though we were unable to visit the Blasket Islands we were able to many exhibits about the Island’s rich history.   Even better, we had the opportunity to hear from a grown man who, as a child in the 70’s, had his picture featured in National Geographic.  He told us about growing up in Ireland as a Galic speaking child and how he had left and returned to his homeland.  It’s a different lifestyle he told us, but if it’s right for you, you end returning.

 

Killarney and Blarney Castle

                We had the opportunity to visit Killarney, where we got a chance to shop.  There were many jewelers in Killarney and I purchased a Claudaugh ring there.  They also had clothing shops, tourist stores, and sports stores, among many others.  We stayed in a hotel that night and the entire group went out to dinner and later to a club.

                The following day we visited Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone.  The castle is an amazing sight and in every room is a sign explaining the purpose of the room.  Kissing the stone wasn’t as scary as I expected it would be.  It was the idea of hanging upside down from a castle that was the scariest part.  In reality, there was a bar underneath and someone holding onto you.  Kissing the stone is supposed to give you the gift of gab, or eloquence.  They took a good picture of each one of us kissing the stone, which some of us purchased.  When we got back, we had the rest of the weekend to hang out and do what we wanted.  We unfortunately were unable to do any outdoors activities due to rain.         

 

The End

                Two weeks went by quickly and at the end I wished I had more time to experience more of Ireland.  Despite the short amount of time we were there, the SHU in Ireland program gave us a good experience of the culture and sights of the Dingle peninsula.  The staff in Ireland including our Sacred Heart faculty, the local people who spoke with us, and Sean Pol were great and provided us with amazing lessons and experiences.  I almost didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, and I’m glad I did.  It was a trip that I would repeat over and over and I hope one day I can return to Ireland.

L. Happer

    Sacred Heart Univeristy

    Nursing, Class of 2009

 

January Term: 2009 Study Abroad in Dingle

The “Wild Sheep” of Ireland –January Term 2009

            Earlier this school year, I applied for one of the best decisions I have made thus far in my life- I applied for the January session for Sacred Heart students to study in Dingle, Ireland. It’s my senior year at Sacred Heart, and I always wanted to study aboard, but never had the opportunity to. The two weeks over winter break was an exception. I packed up my all weather hiking boots, left behind the designer purses, and headed off for the most exciting two weeks of my life! I went over with one of my best friends, but many other students went without knowing anyone. Everyone and I mean everyone became good friends during our trip. The town of Dingle has so much heart and history behind it. The restaurants and pubs were all very accommodating to all of us, and welcomed us with open arms.  Sean Pol, our group director was amazing. If we ever needed anything Sean helped us out. If you weren’t feeling well Sean was there.  He’s also a really funny and great guy too, and will make you feel right at home. If you didn’t want to do one thing, but wanted to do another, Sean would arrange things for you so that everyone was happy!

            The cottages were beautiful and clean! I was in a cottage with four other girls, whom I still keep in touch with. Since I went over in January I was able to take the Marketing course with Dr. Maresco, who also happens to be my advisor. I think I got the luck of the Irish with taking this course because not only did I learn about the cultural differences in Marketing, but I had a great time doing it! We visited the largest rock climbing wall in Dingle and talked with the owner, took a trip to the Dingle Aquarium and found out how they were marketing themselves in a time of recession, and had many other numerous speakers come to our class. Not to mention Dr. Maresco is hilarious and makes learning fun, plus he’s a great guy.

            Ireland was a great adventure, literally an adventure. We were told we were going on a “hill walk,” which actually was climbing Mount Brandon! That was the first day that we were in Dingle, and it really set the tone for the rest of the trip about how exciting and adventurous everything would be! The “Wild Sheep” of Ireland came from this hike. As we were climbing up the trail and over gates, there were sheep grazing right next to us. Not thinking I shouted “Are those wild sheep?” Of course everyone laughed and then I caught on, since the sheep had hot pink spray painted marks on them to indicate whose farm it believed to.  Thus lead to our group’s session naming ourselves The Wild Sheep of Ireland. Since everyone knew this, one day Sean Pol even arranged for us to go to a local farm where they had 2 day old lambs! We were allowed to hold them, until their mother got a little upset! I would much rather have a baby lamb then a puppy after seeing how cute they were!

            Everyday that we had class we had group dinners, which were always a great time. Afterwards we would all usually head off to the same Pub together, and head home early for class the next day.  There was never a dull moment in Ireland and it the most beautiful place I have ever been. I think that the stars shine brighter in Ireland. The Wild Sheep of Ireland will forever be in my heart, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to have this experience as well. The friendships you make, the things you learn, and seeing the cultural differences first hand is an amazing experience that I will never forget.

Lots of luck in Ireland,

M. Slavin Jan 2009

The Quiet Life

Easter came and went without much fanfare in Dingle, though for about a week the population of the town probably at least tripled.  It was nice to have so many people in town, but I prefer it quiet.  My town in the US (Mystic, CT) is also a town built on tourism, so it reminded me more of home in the summer than anything else, and now I am once again ever so slightly homesick.  The trip has come full circle all on its own, from leaving the US and realizing I wouldn't see my loved ones for four months to getting ready to leave Dingle and realizing I may never see my new friends ever again, I'm not sure which "home" I am more sick for, at this point. 

I have really really enjoyed being here in Dingle, but it's time to go home now.  I've seen some awesome sights and done some awesome things, and now I need to return to the life I thought would never change with all this new information incorporated into it.  I am not any more or less of a person for having gone on this trip, I am merely different, and that shift has been what has made the whole trip worth it for me. Through no other circumstances could I have gained so much insight into myself and other people than by going abroad.  I've also learned an incredible amount about religion and my own personal spirituality, more than I thought I could.  I will be returning home with some really great memories and even better pictures! 

I'm not sure what I will miss most about Dingle when I return home, whether it is the people, the place itself, or the culture (or the food!), but I am certain that at least once more during my life my journey will return me to the rolling hills and friendly people of the Dingle Peninsula.

Mary H

Well, they didn't think too much of it in old Par-ee.

I'm hanging out in Paris right now, watching darkness fall in the little courtyard outside my hotel room.  My hotel is only a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower, it's a beautiful walk there especially since it's springtime in PARIS and everything's blooming.  Amazing.

I actually found an American food store, and went in and just stared for a while before I realized that I was being asked a question by the girl behind the counter in French. I had been practicing my "I don't understand French," and "Do you understand English?" but the first time it was actually necessary to use either one I froze up and gave her a deer-in-headlights look. Fortunately the girl was actually American, so she immediately switched not only into a language I understood, but an accent as well. I got Reese's miniature cups and DR PEPPER.

I also went to a little pastry shop on the corner of Rue de Champ de Mars and Avenue de la Bourdonnais (I'm actually putting the street names down because they just look so cool), and I found actual French pain au chocolat, which I fell in love with whilst I was in Spain. The French stuff is even better...There's a thing I've begun to notice, in the few hours I've been here, about French bread: they like it really hard, or they like it amazingly buttery and soft and almost-melt-in-your-mouth-but-not-quite-because-it-is-after-all-just-bread (guess which one I prefer...).

Tomorrow? Totally going to try and find my way to Notre Dame. Shouldn't be too hard; as long as I can find my way to the river, I should be fine, although if I could figure out a way to do it that didn't involve going by the Tower that would be a little bit ideal. Maybe I'll go down to the front desk tomorrow and ask where the nearest city bus tour stop is, because I have this vague idea that it would save me a lot of walking even though, as I said. It's gorgeous here. My allergies are all kicked in because while Ireland's change to spring seems to involve daffodils by the side of the road and carpets of daisies on much greener grass, Paris' change seems to be in the arrival of gardeners on the Champ de Mars and the flowering of a million bushes. I was thinking on the shuttle ride to the hotel that I could spend a spring in Paris and be completely okay with it, just because it's so...beautiful. And I found Dr Pepper. How awesome is that?

I think I could spend a week letting myself happily get lost in the Louvre, especially if it meant I had some more personal time with the Mona Lisa. It's...almost irritating, the way they have it set up, because there's no way to get a decent picture when you're being pushed and shoved and you're not allowed to use the flash. However, I'm glad I got to see her, as well as a bunch of other stuff...I was there most of today, and I saw One. Wing. of the Whole. Museum.

After the Louvre I went to Notre Dame, which is a very nice walk away and completely surrounded by tourist shops. There was a living statue in front, which I thought was an actual statue until someone put money in its cup and it bowed, of an Egyptian mummy with a Horus head. I was very confused when I thought it was an actual statue, because it didn't make sense to have it in front of a cathedral. It was really neat though. And I discovered that the souvenir shops next to Notre Dame have the best prices, because they're all there together and competing with each other.  I was able to buy cheap-ish pretty things.

Dublin & Galway

During our spring break, 2 of my best friends from New York came to visit me.  It was so nice to see them!  I rented a car, and we went to Dublin for 3 days, and Galway for 2.  My favorite part of Dublin was going to see Dublin Castle.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I can just imagine what it would have been like to attend a ball there all those years ago.  Being a history major, I love the experience of seeing all these old sites, and to get to know what went on there hundreds of years ago.  Here is a picture of the ladies waiting room at Dublin Castle.  Women weren't allowed to go around un-chaperoned, so they waited here for their dates to bring them into the ball room.  The mirrors on the bottom are for their petticoats, to make sure they looked nice. 

Galway was also very nice.  We had 1 full day there, and just walked around, shopped, and enjoyed the town and each others company.  We took a drive out to Salthill, which is a gorgeous town on the beach.  It is also sung about in the song Galway Girl!  We spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach, as it was a gorgeous day!  Here is a picture of the beach:

I loved seeing both of these cities again, and would definitely visit for a third time!  There is so much to do and see, that each time you experience something new. 

-Kate

Killarney and Paris.

It's been a while since I've left Dingle but this past Saturday, while Kate still had the car (she rented one for a trip to Dublin and Galway), four of us took a day trip to Killarney to do some souvenir shopping. I had an absolute blast and the days was so relaxing. I passed out in the back seat of the car on the way there and once we'd parked the car, we set out with money in our wallets that we were itching to spend. Killarney is actually one of the cheapest toursit towns in Ireland so we got a lot of good deals on the stuff we bought.

The day was really relaxing and it was nice to just be with friends and shop. Shopping therapy is definitely not overrated.

--Steph S.

Kayaking to see Fungie!

On Friday afternoon, we had the opportunity to kayak in the harbor out to see Dingle's local celebrity, Fungie the Dolphin.  Four of us and Sean went.  We arrive at the marina, and then had to change into wetsuits.  (which let me tell you, was an adventure all in iteslf!)  Once we are all suited up, we received out lifejackets, and then carried our kayaks down to the water.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it was a perfect day to be out on the water.  We started paddling, and would take breaks every few minutes.  It is tiring to paddle constantly, and we were also going a pretty long way.  We got out to the first buoy and just relaxed a little bit.  We continued this all the way out, until we got to where Fungie hangs out.  The boats that go out to see Fungie were also out, and we were all able to see him!  He was jumping around, and seemed to be enjoying himself.  It was very cool to be able to see him to close. 

After we saw Fungie, we paddled over to a beach and had lunch.  We had packed sandwiches and we took a break and ate and relaxed.  After we finished our lunch, we got back on the kayaks and went over to a little cove.  On our way there, Fungie made another apperance!  He really enjoys coming out to say hello.  We played around in the cove for a little bit, and then began to paddle bak to the marina.  Halfway back, we all pulled our kayaks together, and just layed back and relaxed.  It was wonderful to be able to hang around in the sun, on the water, and just enjoy it. 

After our little break, we finished paddling back to the marina, and got changed back into nice dry clothes and headed home.  We had a wonderful day, and I hope everyone who participates in this program gets a chance to do this!

Blarney

Blarney Castle. It’s basically one of those things you HAVE to do if you come to Ireland. During the week long Religion course we were able to go to see it. We were really lucky when we got there – we had been driving for two hours, and in those two hours we had been driving in and out of rain storms. When we hit Blarney it was just starting to clear up, though it was windy.

Even though it was rather dreary, Blarney Castle is beautiful in its antiquity. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, even though in March they weren’t completely in bloom. While there are a ton of visitors and the circular steps up to the Blarney stone can be daunting to most people, but there are a ton of rooms, and it’s fun to pop in and out of them to explore. It’s a bit of a head rush kissing the Blarney Stone to be honest – I nearly toppled over trying to stand back up, but it was a fun experience and well worth the side trip on our way to Killarney.