Welcome to the pack!

Today marks Day 10 in Ireland, and officially, my first day of class at the University of Limerick! Just a few days ago, I landed at Shannon Airport, ready to embark on a new adventure, one filled with lush greenery, rolling hills, and crumbling castles.

From the start, the transition has been surprisingly smooth. I’ve found peace in wandering the nearby paths, earbuds in with my study abroad playlist on repeat. It’s hard not to romanticize this place, especially when there's a literal castle just a 10-minute walk away. The crisp, earthy scent of the air paired with the soft, damp grass underfoot is a sensory dream. As an Environmental Studies major, I can confidently say: this is exactly the kind of environment I’ve always hoped to live in. But beyond the scenic beauty, there’s also been a bit of culture shock. Nothing major, just little things that, as someone who’s never left the U.S. before, I didn’t expect.

Orientation!

1. Hot Water

When I moved into Troy Village, my first shower was freezing and I couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, the water heater here runs on a timer system. You have to manually switch it on and wait for it to heat up. Other housing areas may have different hot water hours, so if you’re studying abroad, just make sure to check in with your accommodations.

2. Public Transit

I knew Ireland had solid public transportation, but this is my first time living somewhere that really uses it. The idea that I can just hop on a bus and be in the city in minutes still baffles me. Honestly, though, everything is close enough to walk to.

3. Conservation

Limerick and the surrounding community are deeply committed to conservation. It's noticeable in the small things: plastic bags are rare (so bring a tote!), water bottle caps stay attached, and bamboo utensils have replaced plastic ones. There are recycling bins everywhere. These may seem minor, but they’re clear signs of a culture that cares.

My walk around campus

Despite being far from home, there are plenty of things that feel familiar. For one, there’s a surprisingly large US presence,I have met around 50 of from UNC alone! The sports culture is alive here too. Rugby is to Ireland what football is to the U.S., and it’s been so fun seeing students proudly repping their favorite teams.

Castle Troy

Campus life at UL isn’t all that different from USC, either. The systems for class registration and scheduling (or "timetables") might look a little different, but at its core, university life feels very much the same.

Every day here reinforces how glad I am that I chose to study abroad. This experience hasn’t magically erased life’s challenges, but it has absolutely pushed me to grow and to step outside my comfort zone and find my footing in new, unfamiliar places.

The horses I have in my front yard

The University of Limerick, home of the Wolves, has already surpassed my expectations. I’m excited to see what’s next, and I feel more ready than ever to take on whatever comes my way.

“Welcome to the Pack!”

— Wolfwalkers