Category: Jacquelyn Durst

Aaaand that’s a wrap! The 2019 Dublin: Culture and Disability summer program has come to its end. I’m currently sitting on a plane at the Dublin Airport, thinking about when I will be in Ireland again. The time went so quickly, as it always does when looking back. 

I couldn’t be happier with the group that I was with, and I can’t wait to see them when we all get back to school in fall. It felt so weird these past two days not waking up and going to meet them. It didn’t feel real when we all said goodbye at NUI. I’m sure I’ll realize in a week or two that it really is over. 

Things I’ll miss (in no particular order) : Trinity, Thai Orchid, KC Peaches, green everywhere (nature), the Irish accent, Caitlin being my roommate, daily adventures, site visits, leap card, the girls, the teachers, Kelly’s blogs, no humidity

Things I’m excited for at home: 

Cats, family, friends, reliable WiFi, air conditioning, less money spending, bed, car, no school work until August 

To all of the organizations and sites that  allowed us to visit, a huge thank you! I can’t begin to imagine how I would summarize all of what we did and learned… there was a lot of useful information given to us throughout the program that I’ll take with me as I think about how I want to structure my own classroom and what I’ll do to make steps towards total inclusion. The UN conference was a new learning experience for me, and I hope to remember the meaningful conversations that occurred daily.

Dr. Smal, Dr. Luse, & Dr. Coduti, thank you for everything! This trip was everything I could have hoped for and more, and it would not have been the same without the three of you.

Well, my flight just took off and the tears came in full force. Leaving a place makes it that much more real. Ugh. I hate endings. Very happy to have had the opportunity to do a program with amazing people who I hope to keep in touch with. I’ll never forget this trip, and every time I come back to Ireland (which I hope is often!) I’ll think about the people I met and the places we went. 

Signing off one last time- Jackie Durst 

Just some fun pics ~

This week we have been attending the 11th International Disability Law Summer School at NUIG. The information that is being shared by the empowering and knowledgable speakers has definitely broadened my knowledge of disability. I am learning about topics and concerns that I had not considered before, and I like how each session focuses on different aspects of disability.  I really have been interested in learning sign language, especially after our visits to Deaf Village and watching the sign language interpreters at the conference. I always wondered why it was not offered at my high school as a language class option. Today, I downloaded a sign language app…. not realizing it was $9. I guess now I will most certainly be learning ASL!!!!

I have been trying to get myself to like coffee so that I can boost my energy a little bit, but I think that it does nothing for my energy levels. I also tried tea during the breaks, but the tea made me feel nauseous. Maybe caffeine just is not for me. Tomorrow, we are all going to go to dinner for the last time as a group…. very sad 🙁 How has the trip gone by so quickly?

See you one last time in a couple of days~

Goodbye Dublin, hello Galway! Galway has not changed since I was here last year; it is just as beautiful, lively, and enjoyable as it was before. We arrived at NUI Galway on Thursday, and we have been adventuring nonstop since then.

On Friday, we went to the Aran Islands… Inishmore to be exact. I have no idea what I was expecting, but I was surprised by what I saw and learned about the island. I didn’t know that it would be so small in population size, but I think it must create a great sense of community with only 700 people. I also was shocked to hear that only 1/3 of the land is used. I hope to visit the other two islands when I return to Ireland later in life.

On Saturday, the girls and I wandered into Galway City Centre. We went for a walk around the water after eating lunch and going through the market.

Today, we went on a tour with the main attraction being the Cliffs of Moher. Unfortunately, the weather was not too great, but we did get some good pics!

Tomorrow the UN conference begins. I am excited to see what the crowd will be like (who is involved in these types of discussions), and what our involvement will be. Can’t believe the last week is here.

See you in a bit!

@Inishmore

@Inishmore

Row of houses on Galway Bay

@Cliffs of Moher

This week is going by so quickly. We went to ChildVision on Monday, St. Michael’s Special Needs National School on Tuesday, and today we went to Friends of the Elderly Ireland. Each of these sites was unique from the other, which kept this week interesting.

I had never heard of equine therapy before. ChildVision is a service for children with visual impairments, but their equine therapy services are also offered to children with disabilities other than visual. I am glad that I was able to learn about this type of therapy, especially while learning about the clear benefits for most of the children. It is a shame that the waiting list is so long for this service.

On Monday night, the girls and I went to the national team’s soccer game. I know nothing about soccer, but it was a nice experience. It was good doing something that I would never go out of my way to do at home.

To my future self (myself in a week and a half ) —– don’t be sad it’s over!!!! Be happy it happened!!! Woohoo!!! I hate endings and get very emotional when I realize something is over so I am sure I will cry.

Be back soon!

@Aviva Arena

Fairy Garden @ChildVision

 

 

AAAAAnd just like that our time overseas is halfway complete; made official by Dr. Coduti’s departure and Dr. Luse’s arrival. A quick thank you to Dr. Coduti for facilitating meaningful discussions and for simply being a wonderful person! The trip would not have been the same without her! (Dr. Smal & Dr. Luse will get their blog thank you’s in two weeks time ◡̈)

On Thursday, we went to Enable Ireland, which provides services to children and adults with disabilities. The space felt friendly and warm, and it was neat touring the building and seeing all of the artwork, classrooms, play areas, and equipment the organization has. The workers seemed happy to be there and so did the children with whom we interacted.

On Saturday, we traveled to Northern Ireland, and I opted to do the black taxi tour upon arrival in Belfast. The tour guide was wonderful and took us around to see many of the murals and historical landmarks that exist in Belfast. He showed us photos and recalled times when Belfast was practically “under martial law.” The rest of the day we went to Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick- A- Rede Rope Bridge. Mom, Dad, I think I am in love with an island. These places were breathtaking, and I hope to revisit them someday.

Today, after a little bit of shopping, we went to afternoon tea. I surprisingly found a tea that I enjoyed, and I also had a latte… I think I am starting to enjoy coffee.

Hoping the next two weeks won’t fly by as quickly as the first two – although I am sure they will. Be back in a couple of days with more updates!

@ Giant’s Causeway

My ride around Belfast

Can you find my signature on this Peace Wall?

@Carrick- A- Rede Rope Bridge

Afternoon Tea featuring Caitling and Hannah

The 3rd of June was a Bank Holiday in Ireland. There are nine public holidays in Ireland each year, but not all Bank Holidays are public holidays as well. For this past Bank Holiday, we traveled altogether to tour Newgrange, which is a prehistoric tomb that dates back 5, 200 years. The monument was fascinating to look at and learn about, and it was a unique experience walking into the tomb and realizing how architecturally and geographically advanced the groups were who worked on the tomb. We also visited the Hill of Slane, the Hill of Tara, and the Ruins of Monasterboice.

On Tuesday we visited Fighting Blindness, the only patient- led charity for sight loss in Ireland. Interacting with John and Melissa was great from the moment we entered the room. Both of these individuals clearly care about the work they have done/ continue to do for the organization and sight loss community, and it was their clear passion and commitment that I will remember for a long time. John reminded me of my dad; each sentence he said carried its own important message, and he spoke from experience and with a full heart.

Deaf Village was the site visit for Wednesday, and I was shocked to learn that Irish Sign Language (ISL) had only become an official language less than two years ago. I have always wanted to learn sign language, and I hope that one day I put my mind to it and sign up for lessons. Even when one of my classmates was able to sign “Penn State” I found myself impressed.

I am a little bit stressed about the upcoming project presentations, but I know they will be over very quickly. During our lunch break we will be going to K.C. Peaches… will we get free desserts? Stay tuned.

Hill of Slane

Hill of Tara

Adorable kitty @Hill of Tara

Mikayla, Caitlin & I @Hill of Slane

Ruins of Monasterboice

The first week went just as quickly as it came. Dublin is such a fascinating city with an endless number of activities to do and plenty of sights to see. Our group met with staff members (and some individuals who use these services) from the following service groups/ centers throughout the first week to learn about some of the different services and resources that are available in Ireland for those with disabilities: Trinity Disability Services, Trinity Center for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities,  St. Michael’s House – Templeogue, and Mental Health Ireland.

Hearing about what these groups offer and how they function has honestly made me realize how much more I have to learn about the services that are offered in the States. It will be a goal of mine moving forward to do more research about the services and resources available for those with disabilities in my community and across the States.

Highlights of the first week: Being welcomed with huge smiles and sincerity into St. Michael’s House by many of the individuals who use its services and by those who deliver those services, getting two plates of free food from a delicious buffet near Trinity, discovering how amazing Netflix is in Europe, being in a setting where sarcasm is used in practically every conversation, getting to meet and know new people, and seeing people and places that bring an immediate smile to my face.

~ Stay tuned for updates ~

Howth, Ireland

Glasthule, Ireland

Garden @ Templeogue

Hello, everyone! I am so happy to be in Ireland again just one year after visiting for the first time. There really is no place like it, and I am beyond excited and thankful that I have the opportunity to study here alongside nine other Penn State students. We will be staying at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland for 3 weeks, and then we will be traveling to Galway, Ireland, where we will stay for the remainder of the Culture and Disability program. Every one of us seemed to adjust quickly to the time difference, and we have found ourselves all eager to explore our home for the next 4 weeks.

The first day of class was relatively short but immensely informative. We were provided with a presentation from a staff member at Trinity Disability Service, and she explained a lot about what its purpose is on campus. One thing that was repeated throughout the presentation was the focus on “the student journey.” Trinity Disability Service looks at each student as an individual; they interact with students throughout their time at Trinity and constantly work towards providing the appropriate tools and resources necessary for each individual student’s success.

Interestingly enough, my roommate and I were placed in a Trinity dorm room that is accessible and designated for individuals with physical disabilities. The doors are automatic, the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible, and there are alarms in the most rooms that can be triggered in the case of an emergency.

I look forward to meeting new people, trying new foods, wandering around unfamiliar places, and learning as much as I can about the resources and services that the country of Ireland has to offer to those with disabilities. Thank you mom and dad for making this dream a reality! Be back soon with updates ◡̈