Pre Departure

A couple of people have told me that they want periodic updates as to what is happening when I'm in Dublin, so for the maybe 3 people who will read this, here we go!

Let the packing commence

It's Saturday the 12th and at this time tomorrow, I will be in the air on my way to Chicago followed by a flight to Dublin.  I'm going to be "studying" at the University College Dublin which is just a very short trip from the city center.

The first week is devoted to orientation.  My first couple of days are with my study abroad program, API (Academic Programs International) and the last half of the week is orientation with the actual school.  I direct enrolled so I'm going to be taking classes with other Irish and international students.  What classes am I taking?  That's TBD.  I don't find out what classes I got into until I get there which is a little stressful.  I gave the school a list of my top 10 module (class) choices and am hoping to get into the top 5.

I'm going to be living in a university owned apartment.  I get my own room and share a living space with 3 other students.  I don't know anything about my flatmates yet except that they are not in my abroad program.

I'm a little stressed about the long travel day.  The only time I've been to another country was when I was 9 and the family went to Mexico.  Going to school in Colorado has made me feel like a domestic travel pro but this whole international thing is making me a little uneasy.  One of my goals for the trip?  Don't get deported.

If anyone wants to stay in touch, my Skype name is david.snell19.  I'm also going to have my iPhone on wireless.  If you have a smartphone and download the app "Viber" we can text/talk for free (pretty much the coolest app ever) or we can still iMessage if you have an Apple device.  Email and Facebook also work quite well.

There will be none of this in a few months

Goodbye USA!  Ireland, here I come!