Category: Kelly Hyland

And in the blink of an eye, my time in Ireland has come to a close. Forming a coherent thought right now is so incredibly hard as nothing I say willfully do this trip justice. Ireland has become my home away from home and I am so happy that young and naive Kelly decided to apply for study abroad here a couple of months back. I would hate to make my last blog all sappy so I will stop after this next sentence. I just want to give out some s/o to people who have made this trip so incredible. S/O to three amazing professors who have challenged me to think deeper about culture and the intersection of disability, and for teaching me different life lessons that I will definitely bring back with me to the states! And without further ado, S/O to my 9 amazing, genuine, and adventurous classmates for making this a trip full of laughter and stories that will last a lifetime! Every person on this trip and everyone who helped me get here has shown me the value of traveling and the full meaning behind the saying “Where there are people there is wealth!” Yawn, IK I’m sorry but had to be said.

BIG RED’S Ireland Adventure Poem 

My time here started at Trinity

And there has been nothing but laughs and smiles in between

From eating my body weight at KC Peaches

To my classmates showering with leeches

Not to forget those beautiful Aran Island Beaches

And the Disability Law School inspiring speeches

Ireland, oh sweet sweet Ireland

Thank you for your natural beauty

And for making my life incredibly groovy

I feel like I’ve been living in a movie

However, do not feel gloomy, as I’ll be back for a sequel!

AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE ARE PICTURES THAT FULLY EMBODY MY TIME HERE!

(THIS WAS MY VERY FIRST SELFIE IN IRELAND, I WAS SO YOUNG, NAIVE, AND SKINNER BACK THEN)

(MY FIRST SELFIE WITH MY CLASSMATES, WE WERE MERELY STRANGERS AT THIS POINT, HAD MY GUARD UP)

(ME CRACKING WHAT WAS PROBABLY AN EXTREMELY FUNNY JOKE)

(SELFIE W MY GIRL SQUADDD)

(GIRLS ON A TRAIN, LIKE THE MOVIE BUT DIFFERENT)

(ME WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME I NEED TO CATCH A FLIGHT BACK TO THE STATES)

(10 WOMEN, ONE TRIP, COUNTLESS MEMORIES <3)

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED MY JOURNEY!! DON’T HESITATE TO LIKE AND COMMENT, IM JUST YOUR AVERAGE PERSON WHO JUST SO HAPPENED TO TRAVEL AROUND IRELAND THIS SUMMER!! THIS IS NOT THE END, ONLY THE BEGINNING! BIG RED SIGNING OFF.

 

I am a Galway Girl!! There is something so quaint about the city of Galway and man am I eating it all up. I love the vibe and the energy of the city here and I wish time would slow down so I could soak it all up.

This week we are at the 11th International Disability Law Summer School, focusing on persons with disabilities and the right to family life. On Monday, I learned a lot about the CRPD and the different lived experiences of people with disabilities. Then on Tuesday, we talked a lot about the right to family and the importance of reproductive rights for PWD. One of my favorite sayings from this week thus far was, “The future is accessible.” This stuck with me, as listening to different speakers and different policies have filled me with the hope that one day our society will provide human rights for all people!

ALSO, THE FOOD AT THE CONFERENCE IS AMAZING AND FREE!!! THIS MAKES KELLY SMILE AND FILLS HER TUMMY WITH DELICIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS GOODIES!! KELLY VERY FULL WITH YUMMY FOOD=HAPPY KELL KELL!!

PICS THIS WEEK WERE VERY LIMITED BUT I DID WHAT I COULD!

MOOD THIS WEEK: ELLE WOODS-> LAW SCHOOL (THERE IS A MOCK TRIAL ON FRIDAY, I WILL BE DEFENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF NARNIA #WISHMELUCK)

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN THIS WEEK AND FOLLOWING MY JOURNEY IN GALWAY! MY LAST BLOG WILL BE SUNDAY AND IT WILL BE A SPECIAL AND LIMITED EDITION OF “BIG RED REFLECTS BACK ON HER TIME IN IRELAND!!!” THX FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!

The MOHR I see, the MOHR I want to stay!! On Thursday I left all I knew and traveled to Galway, where I will be staying for the next week. In Galway, we are staying at NUI which is very close to the city, yet secluded which is a nice break from the city hustle and bustle. Friday, we traveled (IK I’m on the move) to the Aran Islands! The Aran Islands were so beautiful and filled with so much history and livelihood. Then on Saturday my 9 besties (<3) and I just explored the beautiful city of  Galway. It was nice having no agenda and just shopping till I drop! I bought a Claddagh ring from the market. These rings are famous here and they are said to have originated from Galway #score! Lastly, today we went to…The Cliffs of Mohr! Despite the cold cold cold rain, The Cliffs of Mohr were so majestic and really breathtaking. Tomorrow is the start of the UN Conference regarding disability and I am excited to learn more about different policies around the world for people with disabilities.

(I’m on the edge of GLORYYYY)

(Me at the Cliffs of Mohr looking swaggy)

(I rock… pun intended)

(Me being such a drama queen, knock it off Kelly)

(Me with some blue jays)

(Horse on left, me on right)(Donkey!!! SAY WHAT)

(Found a shell on the beach of the Aran Islands, cross your fingers I can hear the ocean!!)

 

And that’s a wrap on the blog!! Thank you all for your continuous love and support throughout my journey in Ireland! Don’t be afraid to drop a comment down below, I’m just a normal person like all of you. Tune in Wednesday for the next edition of “Big Red turned Galway Girl!”

Lions and Tigers and DEER, oh my!!! Unfortunately, I am sad to inform you all that my time in Dublin is coming to a close, but the memories and experiences here shall last a lifetime! Starting tomorrow I will be traveling to Gallaway and embarking on a new chapter in my life! However, before we look into the future, I need to reflect back on my time here in Dublin. Yesterday my lifelong dream became a reality, as I fed deer, wild deer that is, for the FIRST time in my young life. They were so majestic and completely terrifying all in one. Then on Monday my 9bff (<3) and I went to a soccer game, or should I say a futbol game, and watched Ireland beat Gibraltar!!! We were in the nose bleed section but I didn’t mind as I am a firm believer that those seats have a more community feel to them, well and leave a little more cash in my pocket.

Furthermore, on Monday we visited ChildVision! This is an amazing place that first-hand shows the power of Equine Therapy.  Then on Tuesday, we visited the St. Michaels House school and had the opportunity to speak with some of the most amazing teachers and students! Lastly, today we went to Friends of the Elderly where we had the opportunity to dance, sing, and eat biscuits with some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met!

Dublin Girl: Written by Kelly Hyland

Time has come to a close in this beautiful city

The people here have been so friendly and witty

However, I have seen way too many kitty

From shopping on Grafton

To making way too many bank transaction

When you add up all the fraction

It makes sense that Dublin is the main attraction

AND WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY… PIC Time!!

( “OH DEER”)

(But first let me take a selfie)

(Me being such a jokester)

(Eat, Breathe, Sleep, FUTBOL, and repeat)

Thank you for reading!! Make sure to tune in on Sunday for my new blog edition “Big Red takes Galway!!”

Hello there, Kelly here! It’s unfathomable that two weeks ago today I moved into my dorm at Trinity College! As they say, “Time flys when you’re having FUN!” On Saturday my 9 friends (<3) and I traveled to Northern Ireland, where we went to the Titanic Museum, The Giant Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Yes, I did just say rope bridge, and YES my life flashed before my eyes. Northern Ireland was the most breathtaking place I have ever been too as it truly looks like something off of a postcard (Refer to pictures down below). Also, I felt like a celebrity on the tour bus because the bus driver and the tour guide pointed me out as to ask me about my Irish roots. Keep in mind I am not even that Irish, so when they asked me for my surname I almost responded ‘Ms.’ After that every time I came and went off the bus they said something about my red hair, and that’s when I knew that I chose the right place to study abroad. Then today, we went to High Tea at the cutest restaurant and let’s just say I’m hooked!! Great food, great company, what more does one need?!

Furthermore, on Wednesday we visited Deaf Village and on Thursday we visited Enable Ireland. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit both of these places and learn more about the services they have to offer.

OH MY, HOW COULD I FORGET!! On Thursday, my life changed for the better after attending FOOD, Fairies, and Folktales. This was probably one of the best nights of my life. There was a lady who would tell stories in-between courses (yes, three courses). There is something about entertainment while eating and I just can’t get enough! Also, I am putting this in here for a note to myself but I do not like lamb!  For some reason, I ordered lamb as my main course in this stew and yeah glad I tried it but not for me. Do not worry I did not go hungry as I filled myself with some of the best bread and butter I’ve ever had in my life and CHOCOLATE CAKE!!

AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, PICTURE TIME!!

(ME CHILLING LIKE A VILLAIN @ GIANTS CAUSEWAY)

(LOOK AT THOSE BEAUTIFUL RED LOCKS)

(LOOK AT ME MOM IM ON A HUGE CLIFF!!)

(ME AFTER GETTING ACROSS THE ROPE BRIDGE AND REALIZING THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET BACK)

(ME ON THE TOUR BUS WITH MY CLASSMATES AIR PODS, NEED A PAIR OF THESE)

THANK YOU FOR READING!! Tune in on Wednesday for the next blog,” Big Red takes Ireland!”

As the saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” Since my last blog, I feel like I have traveled, and ate more carbs than most people do in their whole lives (Keep reading for the background of the joke). On Saturday, we went to this beautiful market where I had what may have been the best pulled pork sandwich I have ever had in my life (it was spicy, yet sweet). Then, on Sunday we went to Howth where we once again came across a market. Yes, there was a marvelous food selection here as well but young foolish me was attracted to a large baguette/ loaf of bread as it was only 3.50E and so fresh (Picture inserted down below). I bought this bread and then proceeded to eat it throughout the entire day and I think it is safe to say that I may have eaten more carbs than the recommended amount a person should consume in a year. Furthermore in the afternoon on Sunday, we traveled by boat to this deserted island across the shore. I am so glad we did it because it reminded me of the island from cast away and the places they take people in the show, Naked and Afraid. There were birds everywhere and barely any people in sight, it was very adventurous of us but don’t worry mom it was extremely safe! On Monday, we went on a field trip to New Grange, Ruins of Monasterboice, and Hill of Tara. These were amazing places that were full of history and beautiful landscapes!

Today, our site visit was to a place called, Fighting Blindness. Here I had the opportunity to listen to an advocate and hear about both his lived experiences and his perspective on life. One thing that stuck out to me was when he spoke about how we all perceive ourselves to live in these linear lines, we go to school to learn, we learn in order to get a job, we get a job to pay bills, etc..  More or less we all believe that we follow this pattern of points A, B, and C, yet, we fail to acknowledge that at different points on this path, we will all struggle, and we will all fall off. I believe that if we all acknowledged these struggles and all shared our experiences, fewer people would feel like they are alone. If there is one thing I have learned throughout my time here it is the importance of family, community, and societal support because when that is put in place we all can benefit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Me with the piece of bread I was referring to in the beginning)

(Me  on  the  boat  from Howth on the  way  to  the  vacant  island)

(Me  on the vacant  island  in  front  of  a  mysterious  building)(Me  enjoying  and  soaking  up  the  sun  rays  @Ruins  of  Monasterboice)(Me in the cold rain but still enjoying the beautiful sites @ Hill of Tara)

Thank you for reading and following me throughout my time here, tune in Sunday for the next edition of ‘Kelly Takes Ireland’.

How have I already been in Ireland for one week!? In my short time here I have already seen and learned so much about Ireland and have made so many genuine connections with the people here. The people here are so welcoming which has made Dublin feel like my home away from home.

We went on several different site visits this past week which have provided me the opportunity to expand my understanding of what it means to be an educator but more importantly what it means to be a person. On Thursday, we went to St. Michaels House and on Friday we visited Mental Health Ireland. Both of these places exhibited to me that where there are people there is wealth and at the end of the day we all want the same thing, to live long and fulfilling lives.

Also, I have discovered my favorite eating place, KC Peaches. They have a lunch buffet in which they charge by the plate size you use, so you can just pile food on. I give them a week before they raise their prices and start charging by the weight of food on the plate because if not I will run them out of business. (Picture of my plate located down below)
(Yes, this is my plate. I highly recommend the lasagna #notanad #notsponsored)

(Cute dog I found along my journey)
(I often find myself in the back as I’m a slow walker. However, I don’t mind because I never have to give the directions)

Tune in Wednesday for my next Blog!! Thanks for all the support, I love my fans.

 

I arrived in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday and I could not be more excited to call this place home for the next three weeks! On Sunday I moved into my dorm at Trinity College. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to live here during my time in Dublin, as it is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen (behind Penn State of course)!

Today, we had our first site visit at Trinity Disability Services. This was a very eye-opening experience as it highlighted the importance of providing services to people with disabilities after they leave formal education and transition into the working field. We also talked a lot about money and the influence it has on providing quality services to people with disabilities. I was fascinated when the speaker mentioned that Trinity receives funding for their disability services through the European Social Fund. I think this model could be very beneficial in the states, in order to standardize the services that colleges are required to provide students with disabilities.

Furthermore, it has been an amazing experience getting to know 9 of my fellow classmates, my professors, and explore the beautiful city of Dublin. The food is amazing, the people are so welcoming, and the shopping is extraordinary! I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for me during the rest of my time here in Ireland!!! Please feel free to follow my blog and track me on my journey throughout Ireland!