Here's another quick recap:
School: As it turns out, studying abroad doesn't actually mean four months of vacation. It means two or three months of vacation and several weeks of cramming papers and studying. Most students abroad don't take as many classes as they would at home. In fact, our advisers at home encouraged us to take less classes abroad. With that said, the advisers and teachers here (not professors, they hate being called that) are on the same page. I'm pretty sure they know we're here for adventure and discovery and are okay with that as long as we turn our assignments in on time. So that's what I've done. Granted, I'm incapable of turning in a mediocre assignment, so I still took time on my papers and handed in something worthy of a good grade. But there was much less stress involved. So back to March: I had one paper due the day I got back from London and three due the following week. It was a long couple of weeks. However, surrounding all that work was a lot of fun.
St. Paddy's Day: As Paddy's Day approached, I learned two things. First, it's "Paddy's," and not "Patty's." This is an extremely important difference over here. Second, Paddy's Day is more or less a tourist attraction here and locals don't take it too seriously. The streets are still decorated and there is a big parade where too many people show up, but most of the streets are packed with tourists and it's easy to tell. I never quite understood the condescending call-out "American tourists" as I do now. Regardless, Paddy's Day was very fun. There were masses of people all around and lots of celebration. As expected, the drinking began early and lasted all day. Although I admittedly didn't make it until night because, well, money and the fact that I don't do "drunk" well. Still, I have fond memories of the day and knocked another item off of my bucket list!
Please visit my Facebook album to see more photos from around Dublin and St. Paddy's Day!
- Ali
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