Just one week left in the States (don't I sound cultured?). Something about the words "one week left" made me wake up with a pit in my stomach this morning. Like the realization hit me square in the face. One of my friends said it perfectly, "Five weeks is a short time to be in Ireland, but a long time to be away from home." And that's exactly how I feel right now. I just can't believe it's finally HERE!
Howard, one of the program directors, sent an update email today which pulled me out of my preemptive homesick funk and got me giddy all over again. How much do I love that everyone is on a first-name basis? Another part of Ireland having a casual culture: respect is mutual all around! I'm used to that type of atmosphere being in the art department at GCSU. So, when Howard first told everyone that we would all go by our first names sans any titles, I felt right at home. It was funny to look around at some of the confused faces. I was talking to some other students afterward and they mentioned how strange it would feel calling professors by their first name. When I told them that's exactly what we do in the art department, the bewilderment continued. It was a fun reminder that we'll be learning so much not only about Irish culture, but about ourselves and fellow Americans while on the trip.
I'm going to go try not to eat my feelings while thinking about not seeing my family, friends, or fiance for five weeks. Until tomorrow!
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