Local Living

June 27, 2017

Meeting the locals here in Ireland has been relatively easy since there’s no language barrier. I’ve found the Irish to be a very friendly people, easy to strike up a conversation with. They’re often especially curious to speak with my classmates and I once they hear our American accents. One of the best places to meet locals has been, unsurprisingly, in pubs. Social drinking is a major part of the culture in Ireland, and I’ve had several interesting conversations in them. For instance, I once went with a group of my fellow students to a pub in the tiny town of Ring, only to find that there were just two other customers inside. They were older men, and they were very friendly and interested to learn about us. They asked why we had come to Ireland and what we were studying, as well as peppering us with questions about life in America and even our thoughts on American politics. They also told us about life in Ring and gave us a few helpful suggestions, like advising us to check out the local seaweed baths (we did, and they were wonderful).
It’s strange to think that I’ve so easily become adjusted to life in Ireland. I’ve even trained myself to think for the most part in terms of Euros, though this can be tricky, since I sometimes find myself automatically equating Euros to US dollars. In small purchases, the difference between Euros and dollars is minimal, but for larger purchases the difference can really add up. Having to limit my spending hasn’t been easy, but for the most part I’ve been able to keep within a pretty reasonable budget. One of the best ways to save money has been staying in and cooking my own meals. Although the temptation to eat out is great, meals in Dublin, as in any city, can be rather pricy. I haven’t bought too much in the way of souvenirs so far (though there’s still time). The most interesting purchase that I’ve made so far is a sweater from the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands are known for their hand-crafted woolen sweaters and other articles of clothing, created by local women. I visited the Aran Islands on a day trip when we spent a weekend in Galway, and I wound up purchasing a sweater that had been hand-loomed. I expect that it will be quite a memorable souvenir, and I hope that the thick wool will help keep me warm in the Boston winter.

Written By

Brendan Lewis

I’ve always loved traveling and exploring other cultures, so I knew I wanted to study abroad at some point during my time as a college student. When deciding on a program, I wanted to find an opportunity that would allow me to earn credit toward my major, English. I chose Ireland as my destination especially because of its rich literary tradition, which had great appeal for me as an avid reader and writer. I am thrilled to have the chance to study some of the English language’s greatest works of literature, both classic and contemporary, at the sites where they were written, as well as delving into other fascinating areas like film and culture. I’m particularly excited for the chance to get to meet and connect with local authors and filmmakers. I hope to come away from the program with a newfound knowledge of and appreciation for Irish literature, film, and culture, all while also having honed my reading and writing skills, as well as sightseeing, experiencing the culture hands-on, and having a lot of fun.