Embracing Erasmus

 

In January of this year I moved to Glasgow to begin my Erasmus semester abroad. Although it was only across the water, packing up and moving to Scotland was still a daunting decision. The girl that left for Scotland in January couldn’t find her way around an airport, lift her own luggage and was too afraid to ask for directions. The same girl that returned to Ireland five months later was a far cry from the often shy and quiet girl that left. Somewhere along my Erasmus journey I changed. Living abroad strengthened me, matured me and changed me for the better. It gave me independence like never before, allowed me to appreciate what and who I have in my life and it altered my perspective on life and how I choose to live it.

Embarking on a new experience abroad is, undoubtedly, an amazing opportunity. The idea of setting up a new life abroad is an exciting prospect and one that should be looked upon with enthusiasm and positivity. However it is perfectly normal to feel isolated and alone during the first few days of moving away from home. For many students it is their first ‘proper’ experience living away from the comforts of home and fending for themselves. Once the initial excitement subsides loneliness often creeps in and throwing yourself headfirst into a new environment is daunting. Being away from your nearest and dearest can be challenging.Ireland to Scotland would be, albeit for just a few months.

There is no Irish mammy around to land your dinner on the table in the evening, no reliable taxi man (dad) to collect you from the nightclub at half two on a Saturday night, you even miss having no annoying younger siblings around to fight with. Living away from friends and family was a lot harder than I anticipated and during my first few weeks abroad I felt l would never settle. I had misjudged how difficult the transition from Ireland to Scotland would be, albeit for just a few months.

It took me a while but eventually I realised it’s not meant to be easy. Moving to another country, starting a new university and making new friends is a lot to take in. I realised it was ok to feel a little bit lost and unsure and I also realised that it’s perfectly ok to ask for help. As American author Henry David Thoreau once said; “Not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves”.

How right he was. It was in between doing the grocery shopping myself for the first time, improving my cooking skills, washing and ironing my own clothes and getting lost on numerous occasions while wandering around the city of Glasgow that I changed. I became the person I needed to become. I gradually became more and more independent. I learned how to handle weird and wonderful situations I found myself in and I learned to appreciate people and places I may have taken for granted at home. One of the most important things I learned was how lucky and blessed I am to be able to live the life I do, study the profession I love and take advantage of wonderful opportunities afforded to me such as studying abroad.

My advice to anyone lucky enough to be considering Erasmus would be to grab it with both hands. The benefits of studying abroad extend far behind the classroom walls and can really and truly have a positive impact on your life.

My Erasmus journey has left me with an insatiable hunger to travel and experience different cultures and customs around the world. Erasmus gave me a renewed confidence to try new things, travel to different places and, as I continue to grow, my destinations will hopefully continue to change.

Glasgow: Scotland's second city has just as much to offer

Scotland’s second city was given a welcome boost at the beginning of the year when it was named one of the top tourism destinations on the planet for 2014. Now preparations are well underway as the city of Glasgow gears up to host one of the world’s biggest sporting celebrations, as well as one of the most anticipated music events in the industry later on this year.  

According to Rough Guides, one of the world’s leading travel guidebooks, Glasgow is rated as one of the must-see cities of 2014. This may be partly due to the fact that the renowned Commonwealth Games will take place within the city this summer. The Games will run from 23^rd July until 3^rd August and, according to the official website of the Commonwealth Games, the event has been described as “A Cultural Celebration for all of Scotland”. The Games will highlight the city’s extensive sporting and events infrastructure and it is hoped that they will provide a boost to the city’s tourism industry and, in doing so, pave the way for more cultural events throughout the year. 

As well as the Commonwealth Games, the arrival of the £125 million SSE Hydro arena in Glasgow last year has helped accelerate the city’s growing status as a “cultural powerhouse”, as stated in Rough Guides. This year will see the arena host the opening gala for the Ryder Cup golf tournament in September, as well as the 20^th annual MTV Europe Music Awards in November.   

If sporting or music events aren’t really your thing then don’t dismiss Glasgow just yet. This modern European city has an abundance of attractions sure to entice any visitor including its arts and culture, vast array of restaurants and bars, excellent shopping facilities and must-do bus tours. 

If art and culture rouse your interest then the outstanding Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, located in the Bohemian West-End of the city, offers visitors the chance to view some of the finest art exhibits in Europe for free. During its refurbishment between 2003 and 2006, £28 million was pumped into the museum and it has since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Glasgow.  

As well as the Kelvingrove Museum, the Riverside Museum, Glasgow’s Museum of Transport, is another must see. Since its opening in June 2011 the museum has gone from strength to strength. It now features over 3,000 exhibits and last year was named the winner of the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award.  

Speaking of transport, Glasgow is one of the most accessible cities and their public transport system is very reliable and easy to use.  Unfortunately the weather is very similar to Ireland and so, open top bus tours are not always a good idea. However, if you get a chance to ride on the hop on/hop off bus tour around the city then take it and embrace it. The tour gives a brief, but excellent, audio guide of the city and some of its main attractions including; George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow Science Centre, Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove, The Royal Concert Hall and many others.     

 

Once all the obligatory sightseeing has been done some retail therapy is most definitely in order, and where better to do it than Glasgow City Centre? The city boasts it’s very own ‘Style Mile’; a square mile in the centre of the city that is home to over 200 shops. Glasgow is home to every fashion style, from designer to vintage and niche to mainstream. The city also boasts top of the range shopping centres including the Buchanan Galleries, St. Enoch’s Centre, House of Fraser and Princes Square. 

Once the shopping and sight-seeing has been done and your belly is beginning to rumble then don’t fear. Like most cities, Glasgow is overflowing with fantastic restaurants, traditional bars, cafes and nightclubs to suit the taste and budget of every visitor. 

So if you're bored of the usual beach holidays or you’re just craving a night or two away, then make the trip across the water as this sassy Scottish city is an ideal destination. 

  

Taking a trip across the water...

Scotland isn’t that far from Ireland. It's just a stone throw away. However, some things haven’t made it across the Irish

Sea yet and since arriving in Bonnie Scotland I’ve figured out there are some questions Irish people just cannot escape from...















The Accent

Yes, I know you love the Irish accent. No, I will not say “thirty three and a third” again.


The Geography

“Oh you’re from Ireland. Do you live in Dublin?”

There are, in fact, 32 counties dotted around Ireland so why do you insist we all come from Dublin? Yes it’s the capital but there is more to Ireland than The Pale.


The Culture

“Can you Irish dance?"

Upon hearing you are from Ireland, this is one of the first questions you are asked. Like all Irish children I learned how to Irish dance when I was about seven years old. This does not make me the female version of Michael Flatley nor does it mean I will perform a rendition of Riverdance for you.


The Language

Slang words like “shifting” and “nagan” have failed to make their way to Scotland. I am met with a blank stare and a queer look when I utter these words. To the Scottish, “shifting” is simply “pulling” and nagan ceases to exist.


The Irish Language

We learned it throughout primary and secondary school yet, unfortunately, the majority of Irish people will struggle to speak what is technically their native language. When asked by anyone outside of Ireland what you can say as Gaeilge the I-learned-this-off-by-heart-when-I-was-in-primary-school “'An bhfuil cead agam dul amach go dtí an leithreas?" is one of the favourites.


Thanks to some advertising genius in Carlsberg if we're feeling brave these few lines can also be heard;

"Agus madra rua! Is maith liom cáca milis.
Agus Sharon Ní Bheoláin.
Tá geansaí orm.
Tá scamaill sa spéir.

Tabhair dom an cáca milis!”





The Alcohol

The presumption that Irish people can be found stumbling along the street, drink in hand, proudly singing The Fields of Athenry, is not as true as you may think. In fact the reality is pretty sobering and might disappoint those who would like us to maintain our stereotypical Irish drinking reputation. Yes, we like to drink and get drunk and have a good time. That doesn’t mean we are raging alcoholics that want to go out every single night of the week.


The Phrase

“Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!”

A phrase no one has actually ever said in Ireland. Yet the very moment you announce your nationality to someone you can be sure they will respond with this phrase. And if they don’t say it, they’re certainly thinking it.


The Leprechauns

Not to burst your bubble or anything but these mythical little creatures are just that. Mythical. Contrary to what you might believe these small fairy folk do not walk around Ireland sprinkling magic dust as they go. Although some of it might not go astray at the moment. Did someone say recession?


The Red Hair

Although the stereotype will say that the majority of Irish people are born with ginger hair and freckles, reality states otherwise. Only 10% of the Irish population actually has red hair. In fact, Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads with almost 13% of the population donning this hair colour. Approximately 40% of the Scottish population carry the recessive redhead gene. Ireland is slightly higher with almost 46% of people carrying the gene.


The Potatoes

We don’t just eat potatoes, despite what you might think. We also eat spuds and poppies too.