Coming back to the United States after four months abroad and experiencing a reverse culture shock was not something that I necessarily expected when I departed for my semester abroad. I studied abroad at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland and had the time of my life, met amazing people, immersed myself in rich culture, and took in beautiful sights of nature that were at my fingertips every day.
On January 20, 2024: the day I left for Ireland, I was emotional for many reasons. I was nervous, scared, and anxious to take my first plane ride ever. I was experiencing so many new things at once like being away from home for a prolonged period of time and being completely on my own in a new environment without knowing anybody for the first time. All of these experiences were valid worries, but I count my lucky stars everyday that these worries did not hinder me in chasing my dreams and creating the life I wanted to experience. What they say is true: everything works out the way it is supposed to, and little did I know that when I left Ireland on May 28, 2024 I’d be just as if not more emotional than I was in January.
When I arrived in Ireland it took a few weeks to settle in but I acclimated quickly to the ways of life here. I enjoyed the slower pace and I enjoyed the people. Some things were different and were a change from home, like eggs not being put in the fridge, and some things were the same as if I was at my home university like calling my parents everyday and having a quick cup of coffee before class. Little by little it started to feel like I was developing roots in a new place and enjoying spending my time taking in all that Ireland had to offer. I enjoyed my walks along the Shannon River and I loved getting to venture off and see new parts of Ireland every week.
Learning the Irish language, practicing my dancing, joining the Ultimate Frisbee club, completing the Global Leadership for Sustainable Development program, and spending time with my new friends kept me busy. It wasn’t until the halfway mark that it set in that I had to go back home, and I realized how that was going to deeply impact me.
When May approached the days began to go by faster and the emotions that surrounded leaving Ireland rippled through me with patterns of sadness, gratitude, happiness, anxiousness, and more. All of these emotions were in anticipation of getting back into life at home and not knowing what that would look like. I knew I would be sad to leave, and I was. However, I was also ready to leave.
In January I knew I had to see this part of the world and in May I had seen it, loved it, and cherished it. I knew there was nothing I would have done differently during my semester abroad and I was beyond delighted with my experience. I say I was ready to go back because I was ready to close this chapter of my life and start writing my new chapter, which included finishing my Bachelor’s degree at home and setting up plans to come back to Ireland for my Master’s program, and to be with my newfound family and friends as soon as I could make it happen. I think I was so ready to leave because in my heart I knew I’d be coming back.
In January of 2024 if you told me going abroad for a semester would change my life, I would not have believed you. The version of Nicole that left the United States for the first time and the version of Nicole that stands today are two completely different people, all due to the growth and development that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and doing the things that scare you.
It has now been eight months since I left Ireland and I have been lucky enough to go back to visit my people, see the beautiful land again, and I am so lucky to be homesick for Ireland everyday. Going to Ireland for my semester abroad started the illustration for the rest of my life and I am forever grateful. Taking the chance to go abroad allowed me to find home in more than one place, and to be thankful for all the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.
An Irish proverb: a seanfhocail, states the following, “Faigheann cos ar siúl rud nach bhfaigheann cos ina cónaí” meaning ‘a walking foot comes upon something that a resting foot wouldn’t.’ Taking the chance to start your journey is the first step to paving the road for all your dreams in life, something that I achieved by taking the chance, boarding the plane, and studying abroad.
Nicole Brown, Stockton University
Semester in Ireland - University of Limerick alumna
Related Posts
Q&A Spotlight With New Employee - Nicole!
Gap-Year Friendly Programs for Graduating High School Seniors
