Samuel’s Experience in Ireland

Samuel studied in Ireland on the Limerick: University of Limerick program in the Spring of 2016.

If you could give only one reason, why would you suggest other students study abroad?

When it comes to studying abroad, the decision isn’t, “How much am I going to miss here at Penn State?” It’s really, “How many amazing things can I experience while I am abroad that I cannot experience here?”

If you could go abroad again, what would you do differently?

I would probably try to manage my finances better. I think setting a budget would have been helpful.

What specific factors influenced your decision to go abroad?

I wanted to have the opportunity to travel and meet people from all around the world. I was interested in seeing what it would feel like to live and be a student in another country.

What concerns/fears did you have about studying abroad, and how did you overcome them?

I was concerned about traveling alone because I had never done it before. I overcame these fears by talking to people who had done it before and really just stepping out on a limb and pushing myself out of the comfort zone by just doing it.

What was it about your program specifically that fit your personal goals over other programs?

My experience at the University of Limerick was unique in the fact that there were more non-Irish European students there than American students, which is not usually the case. It was a really cool opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I will never forget the friendships I made.

How have you used the skills you learned abroad now that you are back; either in job searching, or in other activities?

Studying abroad definitely made me a more courageous and adventurous person. I haven’t been back home for very long, but so far I feel that this has translated in turning me into the type of person who never says “no.” I try to take advantage of every opportunity and try as many new things as I can.

What experiences did you have while studying abroad that you feel you could not have had if you had stayed at Penn State?

I would never have the opportunity to practice so many languages, visit 10 countries on 2 continents, try so many different foods, make close friends with students all around the world, see some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, and irreversibly change as a person.

What advice would you give to outbound study abroad students to help them make the most out of their study abroad experiences?

Write everything you do down. Cherish every moment because you can never go back to your semester abroad.

Share an experience where you interacted with someone in your host
culture in a way that taught you something.

My tour guide for International Student Orientation checked in with me pretty much every week during the first few weeks in Ireland. Even as the semester progressed we would meet up every few weeks just to chat. I thought this was part of his job as a tour guide, but it actually turned out that everything was on his own accord. He just wanted to be helpful and friendly. He and I became very close friends despite the fact that he knew I was going to have to leave in May. The inherent friendliness was something that I noticed in almost all Irish people I met. Their convivial and helpful attitude truly made them some of the most fun and pleasant people I have ever met.

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