So Jason! How was the journey? What was getting there like?

Wow floating question from no one in particular, thanks for asking. I very much don’t like travelling. There are so many things that can go wrong that are both in and out of my control. The stress of losing an important document or having something stolen means I have to constantly be aware and it’s difficult to rest, especially on an overnight trip like my own. To help overcome this, I always make sure I am able to reasonably handle my carry on, personal bag, and checked luggage on my own. I usually wear shorts (this is the most comfortable for me) with zipper or button pockets so I can have my passport and boarding pass reasonably accessible and safe on my person at all times.

My parents dropped me off at Dulles Airport after a nice afternoon trip to Potbelly sandwich shop, and I had a layover in Keflavik as I was flying with Iceland air. I was able to get a small sandwich, a bar of Icelandic chocolate that I had discovered on one of my previous adventures abroad, and test to make sure my credit card was being accepted in other countries and there were no unforeseen issues with my bank. After that, I had a smooth flight into Dublin. I had my passport and acceptance letter ready for customs, as well as evidence of financial support and insurance just in case. They told me to make an appointment with immigration once I got to my university, and I was on my way to Limerick in a bus.

What were your first impressions of Ireland?

I was a little surprised by how similar things were to Great Britain. The Irish have generally had a number of choice words and views of the English and their ways of doing things throughout history, and many of those have been expressed since they gained their independence from Great Britain. I expected things to be more like Europe than England, but I found that many surface functional things, such as the outlets, roads, and signage were very close to England’s.

Aside from a fresh reminder of my time living in England, the other most notable thing about Ireland was the green rolling hills (that, and the Irish names, so many O’Connell’s…). The 3 hour bus from Dublin to Limerick gave ample opportunity to see the beautiful countryside and the absolutely deep green luscious grass. I was off to a great start 🙂

Hey Jason? How do you feel about packing? How was packing when you prepared to go to Ireland?

Wow! Well, if you’re anything like me, preparing for something big can be really stressful. Packing for Ireland was no exception. I was kind of excited for it at first but that excitement quickly turned to stress as my departure date ticked closer and closer. No matter how much preparation you do, there’s always a nagging worrying feeling wondering if you’ve forgotten something important. Thankfully, since I will be here in Ireland for quite some time, if there was anything specific I forgot, like I rain jacket or charging cable, I would be able to purchase one here. That helped a little bit , but overall I was still a good bit panicked!

So Jason, What all did you pack?

Aw geez, good question. When packing, I had to consider a few things. What all I needed, what would make the most sense to purchase when I arrived, and what would fit in my suitcase. Ultimately I decided it was most important to bring a full set of clothes, some essentials like toothpaste and a towel, and some electronics. My clothes I knew I would need, and buying a full wardrobe for just semester would be really expensive! The essentials are nice to have on hand, in case a flight gets delayed, or cancelled, or you’re not able to access a sufficient store in your destination as quickly as you may like. Lastly, some electronics, such as my laptop, charging cables, a 110-240 plug strip, and portable batteries (and perhaps a game controller or two…. or four, only what I needed I swear). Apart from my laptop (and a few game controllers) most electronics like cables or a tablet are relatively small, and also very handy and can get expensive if you’re trying to replace a number of different things for short time use. These things made the most sense for me, and so far, I haven’t been disappointed!