Today was a nice day and 21 of us international students made the one hour bus trip to the medieval city of Kilkenny. The city is known for its castle and that was the first stop for us. The castle was magnificent. We started off in the rose garden before making our way inside of the castle. Once we were inside we took the guided tour of the castle and learned about its rich history from the attack by Oliver Cromwell to the giving of the castle by the Butler family to the citizens of Kilkenny. Sadly pictures are not allowed inside the castle, for understandable reasons, so none of you will get to see the beauty that was inside. The castle is a little unique in the fact that it looks very much like a ... read more

Today was a beautiful day in Waterford. It was a nice crisp 40 degrees and the sun was shining all day. Since all classes were cancelled at the University today because of board meetings, professors sit around and talk about last term's exams, we took the opportunity to spend some time around the city centre and quay (que). Some people in the group did some shopping and I did some exploring. I went into the oldest cathedral in Waterford called Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. It was a unique experience. The cathedral sits right in the middle of the city centre, which is the main shopping district. The inside struck me at how simple it was. Having travelled to Italy and seeing cathedrals with beautiful ceilings and paintings that is what I was expecting when ... read more

Yesterday a few of us international students took the bus out to the little coastal town of Tramore. It was a beautiful town that sat right on the edge of the sea. The trip started out with some adventure as we had to chase the bus down because we were a bit late. Once we caught the bus, thanks to Chris my roommate, we were on our way to Tramore. It was a short little trip by bus, about 25 minutes. As we came over the hill into town the few of the sea was beautiful. Once we got off the bus we made our way down to the beach front where although it was quite windy and chilly the Irish were still out and about, some even trying to surf in the sea. Once we ... read more

On Friday morning, the international students were given a bike tour of the lovely city we get to call home for the next 5 months. The weather for the tour was miserable. It was rainy, windy and cold and riding a bike seems to magnify all of it. As we went along the tour guide told us stories and history about the various different things we were seeing and also tried to give us a since of direction in the city. At one point, the guide told us how he used to own a family business, a news shop that had been in his family for over sixty years. The shop had to close when the recession hit though. He also told us how on the weekends, he is a doorman at a local hotel. This ... read more

So after two flights and a roller coaster like bus ride, I have finally reached my destination of Waterford Ireland. I am in my new home for the next 4 months while I am studying over here. It's an apartment shared with two other people, but we all get our own bedrooms and bathrooms. It's nothing fancy, but will do, I just wish the Irish were not afraid of heat. Maybe they are just being cheap. Either way it's chilly in my room. Living in an apartment means that I have to cook for myself for the first time. Tonight I had a can of soup because I was cold and tired and didn't feel like cooking or shopping much. Tomorrow is back to the store to buy some more things I realized I will need. ... read more