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International Exchange

Alex Wetten: National University of Ireland, Cork

After travelling through Asia and Western Europe for 3 months, I arrived to the much cooler climate of Dublin, Ireland on the 3rd of Septrember. I was confronted by a mass of Red and Yellow as the final for the hurling had just been played (a popular Irish game played with wooden sticks). Unfortunately Cork (or Corcaigh in Gaeilge) were defeated after holding the title for the last year.

I dropped off my bags in Cork and went to explore the Western part of Ireland, where the scenary is stunning and Irish is still spoken as the common tongue. I went around the Ring of Kerry, along the Dingle peninsula and through to Doolin, with a population of 250. Doolin was a great base to set out along the edges of the cliffs of Moore, hike through the Burrens and relax in an Irish pub with traditional music sessions.

After moving onto Galway and back through Limerick (stab city) I settled back in Cork to prepare for the university semmester. The Irish session is quite short in comparision to some of the other universities I considered. Session started on the 25th of September (after orientation week) and a chaotic week ensured of no one knowing which classes they were supposed to be in (even some lecturers). 1st years had their poor bodies and psyches subjected to “freshers week”, a week of going out every night and putting away many pints of Guiness, Murphy’s or Beamish, the local stouts. After the introductory week had finished, session has truly began. Realisation has set in of the workload required for a very short amount of time.

Most of the lecturers are excellent and some are famous in their field of work; just to be in their class is a real privilage. I have taken subjects relating to my fields of psychology and nutrition but have also signed up for an introductory french class as I have begun to feel guilty knowing only one language, when most Europeans have several under their belt. And what better way to get to know those lovely ladies from France and Quebec?