My First Class Observations

I have been submerged into a wild world of no textbooks, angular paper clips, no homework, and bliss. 

Halfway into my first week of classes, I am pleasantly surprised and excited for the semester to come. I have attended my first math class - a telling experience for a math major - and am very excited about my future in Linear Algebra. I have been to history class where I correctly answered the question "What is Laissez Faire economics?" I thought it was an easy question but nobody else in the 100-person lecture spoke up so I got the glory. My English class doesn't begin until next week so for that I have had some extra free time. And my other classes are Irish step-dancing and Gaelic.

As all of my close friends and family know, my freshman year back home was a very difficult one. I kept wondering what it was about the year, my classes, my attitude, that never combined correctly to make my feel happy or secure. But something about Ireland has settled that discomfort. Things here are not perfect, but UCC really suits me, the teachers and students have a more relaxed attitude, and I haven't once questioned my decision to come here.

I chose to study abroad for me. A decision I needed to make for peace of mind that I needed to have. I left one of my roughest years for a chance to grow as a person, an American, and an academic. In four weeks I have matured substantially and cannot believe that I was so sad last year compared to where I am now. 

That being said, I hope everyone back home has a great year! But seriously, y'all have got to study abroad.