I’ve just moved into my house, it’s huge!! Finally no more lugging my bags around…a combined weight of 200 lbs between 5 bags!!! I live with 9 others, mostly from the Art Institute in Chicago, and a few other places out in the mid-west. Everyone seems nice so far and we’re planning a hike up the giant mountain of limestone behind us. This isn’t exactly what I pictured Ireland looking like…all grey and rocky. Don’t get me wrong, the view is amazing, especially from the castle…oh…did I forget to tell you…THERE”S A CASTLE ON MY CAMPUS! I’ll take pics of school and my house for you guys soon…I’m going to be busy doing tours and orientation for the next week, wish me luck.
Cheers! ~Roger

Posted by Roger at 08:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

The be honest I was expecting a thatch roof, stone walls, a giant fire place and an old man telling stories about fairies while smoking an extraordinarily long pipe…
This was not that at all. It was however a wonderful experience in which I was able to become part of a family for a few days. For the most part when students study abroad they are set up through their program to partake in a homestay experience.
I was welcomed with open arms by Billy and Kala Biggane as I walked off the train in Charleville down in County Cork. There home was huge! Built for 10 people the table could contain a wrestling match and the bedrooms were beautiful! I had my own fireplace and a perfect view out into the pasture where their racing horse ran back and forth. I learned that some Irish cooking…all of it there…is absolutely amazing. I even was given this homemade vanilla custard with fresh sugared rhubarb. All in all it was a great time and my first chance to really see the countryside. I still am eager to get to my school though!!

Cheers
~Roger

Posted by Roger at 08:17 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I arrived on the 27th of August at 6 am Ireland time and was almost sent home!! Customs didn’t believe that my school actually existed and since I didn’t buy a round trip ticket they didn’t feel that I should stay in the country…so I sat and waited, waited and sat some more…but in the end I won customs over with an abundance of wit, charm and a remarkable sense entellegents.
So yeah, Dublin was fun…I took lots of pictures, filmed some traditional Irish music and toured the Guinness Brewery. I found Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and bought an Irish cell phone. Oh and good news, it only rains three times a day…on a good day.
I leave Dublin tomorrow morning and head out to the country. I’m going to a place called Charleville population 4,000. There I will be doing a “home-stay”, (for those of you who don’t know; a home-stay is when students spend a few days living with an Irish family to get to really understand the culture). I’m set to live with the Biggane’s.
I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow!

~Rog

Posted by Roger at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)