Just have been busy in Northern Ireland, no big deal

I can't believe it's almost November!

Shopping area in Coleraine

I'm currently studying abroad in Coleraine, Northern Ireland at the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster. I am very close to the Northern Ireland coast and the famous Giant's Causeway. I've been meaning to blog, but I've been very caught up in this experience. I'm hoping to get some more posts up about studying abroad, though, during this time I have left here (I'm leaving December 15). For now, I'll just catch you up on some of the highlights of my experience so far.

Me at the world famous Giant's Causeway

It was very hard to see so many of my friends starting the semester at Susquehanna while I was still at home. I didn't fly to Northern Ireland until mid-September because the semester here starts much later. I was eager to get the study abroad experience started! Before this semester, I had never left the country and had never been on a plane, so even though I was very excited, I was also kind of terrified. I managed to successfully arrive in Belfast, though, for a short orientation through my study abroad program, IFSA-Butler. After that, I went up to my college in Coleraine.

I'm living on campus in a flat with four other girls. We all have our own rooms. Two of my flat mates are from Hong Kong, and two are from Belgium. They are all really great and sweet! One of the best parts of my study abroad experience so far has been getting to know other international students and talk about our cultures. A big difference here is that I don't have a meal plan, so I've been having to buy my own groceries and prepare my own meals. 

I'm taking three classes here--one about the history of magic and witchcraft in early modern England and Ireland, one on love poetry, and one on twentieth century women writers. My favorite is the class on women writers. We've been looking at some interesting books in it, but the one I liked the most so far was Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. I'm in class for a lot less time than at Susquehanna, so it'll be an adjustment going back to a fuller course load.

Me in front of a monument to Sir Walter Scott in Edinbugh

While I'm here, I've also gotten to do some traveling. Just this weekend I went on a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland with some friends from Susquehanna who are studying abroad in England. It was such a great trip, and the city is absolutely gorgeous! I also went on a weekend trip to Dublin. I really loved the city of Dublin and hope I get time to go back. In November, I'll be visiting London for a weekend and staying with my friend Lindsey.

In front of a cathedral in Dublin

Overall, I'm having a really good experience so far, though there's definitely a lot I miss about Susquehanna. I miss my friends, of course! But I also miss our campus, having a meal plan, free printing, etc. I definitely miss my family as well.

I'm not here too much longer though, so I hope I make the most out of this next month and a half!