Hello all!
Welcome to my blog! My name is Alison Christovich (Ali for short), and I’ll be writing as often as I can about my adventures in one of the most beautiful cultural centers of the world: Galway, Ireland! I will be studying at the National University of Ireland in Galway and living just 10 minutes away by foot from both campus and the center of town. So a little bit about myself: I am a theatre major from Florida who enjoys long walks on the beach (and on campus), chocolate, avocados, taking pictures, grammar-checking, performing in shows, and singing with the College Choir and Chamber Singers. Most of all, I love traveling, and I can’t wait to travel to Ireland for the first time!
Exciting as it all may be, I am a little nervous about leaving tonight. I do get a little anxious when I have a lot of packing to do for a long trip — I restricted myself to only one checked bag and a carry-on! — but once I get there I’ll buy everything else I need, including my bedsheets and basic toiletries. At the very least I have all my staples: my passport, my paperwork for the Irish Immigration Office, some cash Euros, my handy dandy travel purse, a pair of walking shoes, a pair of rain boots, and — of course — a Holy Cross rain poncho (thank you HC Bookstore for putting it on clearance!).
This trip won’t be my first rodeo though: I’ve traveled to India and Argentina by myself and with a group, and even being at Holy Cross for months at a time before coming home to Florida has been relatively easy for me. Still, being in a foreign country for nine months will be a huge first for me. People have asked me if I ever get homesick, but to be honest I really only get homesick before I leave home! Thankfully, my family has been really supportive with helping me prepare for Ireland both emotionally and financially. I won’t be alone in Ireland either: a group of about 12 of us will be in the program together, and most of us have been in communication with each other about travel plans and other trip-related questions. I’ve also had the good fortune of being able to stay on campus for a week to sing with the Chamber Singers and staying with my cousin Ashlee in Bedford, MA. Yesterday we ended up going to a national park in Concord, MA before having a very New England dinner: clam chowder and a lobster roll. I’m so glad I got to see my friends and cousin and say goodbye to them before I’m gone for the year!
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One of the things I’d like to focus on in my blog is allowing readers (and myself!) to watch my progress in making this adventure I’m about to undertake a spectacular one. With that in mind, I have a few goals I’d like to achieve over the next few months:
- Stretch out of my comfort zone a lot more (which will be somewhat inevitable!)
- Meet new people and building relationships
- Try new foods, classes, and activities
- Find new places to spend time with friends — both in and outside the country
- Do and watch as much theatre as possible — both on and off campus
- Sing as much as I can, whether I’m with a choir or in the shower
- Find sources of inspiration – music, landscapes, people, etc.
- Write, write, write (so I can blog, blog, blog) in my new journal!
I am incredibly excited for what will unfold in the coming months and I can’t wait to share my experiences with you all! I will be writing again as soon as I get settled in my apartment and begin orientation (which starts Thursday). Until then, so long America! Galway, here I come!
Cheers,
Ali