This is a guest blog post from our student social media ambassador, Garrett. Currently studying abroad on the semester program, “Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland” at our program in Derry-Londonderry.
And we’re back, coming to you from Northern Ireland!
Everything seems to be moving so quickly these last couple weeks here in Derry. As we near the end of our semester, we bring our internships to a close, saying goodbye to coworkers and friends, and saying hello to the semi-annual thrill all students anticipate: final papers!
That aside, we’ve had a very pleasant November (almost too pleasant, I miss the Minnesotan chill). A couple weeks ago, Nigel took our seminar to Roe Valley, where we took a turn along the River Roe after brunch. The autumn colors have turned so beautifully out there, and us four Americans were glad for the time to relax, chat, and take it in.
My internship moved along quickly. This month featured a number of music artists performing in our space: Ruá, Frankie Archer, Súil, and Elephant Sessions. Mostly modernized trad, setting up for the events and then either working or attending them was a lot of fun, and it was great to see these both local and national talents work their craft. The Elephant Sessions performance (think almost Scottish trad music rave) even worked out for everyone’s schedules, and I brought some of the American flatmates for a night out! That said, I was sad to be wrapping up my internship. I was able to finish up the report I’d been working on about previous intern experience and hand that in. I also got a chance to sit in on one last flute workshop at the local primary school, helping my coworker Andrew with quizzes and focus games. On my last day, the office came together for a little send-off over tea. It was so cute, and I’m so grateful for the time and welcome they shared with me. I hope to keep checking in on them from time to time.
The snow’s made a guest appearance over here, even some mornings full of frost and other afternoons with a touch of hail. It’s nothing like back home (and it won’t even get close), but it is rather festive. This past week featured the turning-on of the Christmas lights here in the city, so there’s some rather pretty overhead lights strung all about the Walled City, with huge Christmas trees in the surrounding squares. It makes for a cute evening walk if you’re in that part of town.
Mostly these hints of snow just make me miss home though. I’ve had to call across six time zones for another birthday back home this month, and I’m looking forward to – as many of us are – getting home to see family, friends, even pets. We have less than two weeks to go and so, despite being anxious to leave, I’m also very conscious about taking in the last scraps of time here in Northern Ireland. For those among us with better time management, papers are done and this free week of study offers time for a bit of travel, to Dublin or Belfast. For others, we welcome a quick break from study to attend a Thanksgiving potluck hosted by Resident Life here at the Student Village. Some of us even have plans to stay a little longer on the island after the semester ends, joined by family from home or friends from Europe. Despite this hectic schedule, this is a time for reflection, and I hope to take a pause to consider with my peers all that we have experienced here, and thank all those who have given us these opportunities.
See ya in a couple weeks!
