STUDY Abroad

I guess since I am technically here to study I should talk a bit about the classes.  Though I didn't expect things to be very different from the States, I was wrong.  I am only taking three classes here, as opposed to the five I was taking back home, but these three classes transfer as five credit hours each, so I am taking 15 hours.  My expectation is that these classes would require more work because they hold more credit, but the opposite is true.  There is very little coursework to do here.  I am taking 2 final level psychology classes (Peace and Conflict Psychology and Health Psychology) and a middle year history class (The Irishman at War with an added emphasis on the religious aspects of those wars).  Each class consists of one essay and one exam (or another essay).  I may have one added presentation for each class, but that is it!  No sweat.  I am ahead working on my coursework and I still feel like I haven't done much of anything.  The trick, however, comes with the classes themselves.  I am lucky enough to only have class 2 days a week (Thursday and Friday).  This leaves me plenty of time to travel and explore, but t also makes for long days seeing as I have to sit in each class for 3 hours.  Thursdays consist of a 2 hour lecture on Peace and Conflict, an hour break, then an hour seminar for Peace and Conflict, then another hour break and a 2 hour history lecture on war where names are thrown around that make no sense (especially since everyone seems to have the same last name!) then an hour break followed by an hour of seminar where the previous week is reviewed in a more concrete details.  It makes for a long day and a conscientious lengthening of my attention span, but if that is the price I pay for getting to be in Ireland, then it is worth it!

A little of everything all at once...

Though I should probably talk about school things since that is the technical reason for being here, it is so much more fun to talk about the adventure side.  I will try to post about school later this week...maybe even from the library!
This weekend we went with the International Society to Giants Causeway, Bushmill's Distillary, and Dunluce Castle.  There were quite a few of us which was different from previous adventures, but we still had fun!  Giant's Causeway was amazing.  Millions of rocks, towering cliffs, and bone-chilling ocean all meet in one place to paint a spectacular picture.  I was amazed my the beauty created by a volcano (or a giant depending on what truth you choose to believe).  After not nearly enough time we ventured to Bushmill's Distillary to tour the amazingly old whisky distillery.  We walked through the factory and learned how whisky is made, then we got to sample some.  I can say that I am a fan of Bushmills Honey and water.  Now that I know how much of a process making whisky is I have a much better appreciation for the taste...may not be my drink of choice, but still quite delicious.  The last stop on our journey for the day was Dunluce Castle...the first real castle I've been to.  We didn't get to go inside, but we still got to explore the cliffs, caves, and hills around it.
I feel like I am on an adventure in a fairy tale land.  Everything is so beautiful and surreal.  I am loving every minute of meeting new people, experiencing new things, and discovering new places.  Now that I feel like I've seen a small bit of Northern Ireland I am ready to venture farther...London is calling.

Castlerock

What an adventure today has been.  We visited Castlerock, Northern Ireland today.  Castlerock is a small coastal town North of Derry.  It was about an hour on the bus, but it felt like we were traveling into a far-off land.  After spending two and a half weeks in Derry we have grown accustomed to the scenery and the initial things that made it seem foreign feel like home now.  Castlerock was a step into traditional, rural, Ireland.  With the typical Ireland haze we found the beach (weirdest thing to be on a beach in boots and a jacket) and traveled to come rocks, up a hill to a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach, and through the valley to temple and house ruins that made the worlds best playground.  The pictures will speak more for the adventure than any words I can say.  For now, I will leave it at that.  I will post pictures on Facebook tomorrow!

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin - Shakespeare

 The Foyle River is my backyard

 The Peace Bridge at night

I go to school here...in real life!

After a week and a half of being in the country I saw my first flying flag...

politics and flag-flying here is a big deal! 

Free Derry

By the Derry walls...I can't believe that the beautiful city

 behind me is where I actually live. I am so blessed!

Cannons sit along the Derry walls to protect the city.

St. Augustine's Church - Church of Ireland

I will be worshiping here at least once before I leave!

When all the noise is gone there is only God

All has been quite here lately.  The student village is like a ghost-town on the weekends because everyone goes home to work.  The relaxation of last weekend was welcomed though.  After a hectic first week it was nice that everything seemed to slow down a bit.  Megan, Stephanie, and I went exploring on Saturday and got to see Free Derry, the Bogside, and even explore Derry city centre and the lovely walls.  We explored all day and arrived back at the student village tired little puppies.

Sunday began with church at Christ Church which is a fairly large Church of Ireland, Protestant church.  The people were very welcoming and, though the service was slightly foreign I can see that becoming my home away from home.  The church was beautiful and the people were friendly and very welcoming.  I definitely look forward to going back.

It has been a quiet second week, lots of hanging out watching movies.  There have been a few runny noses and coughs, but we have become a little family and the local part of the family is taking quite good care of us.    I feel as if I've finally gotten into some semblance of a schedule where I'm actually getting a chance to have God time, work out, and even read.  I am going to be so spoiled with time when I do come home!

This weekend will hopefully bring with it more adventures.  We planned our weekends through March and there is a lot to be done!  Donegal and it's beautiful hill are calling this weekend, and I know that we will have an amazing time.  God is working in Ireland and it is amazing.  I am truly blessed to have this experience and I am thankful to God and the people who love and support me.  Hopefully I will remember/have time to post again before long!  Keep up with pictures on Facebook and I will try to post some of the best ones here as well!