I can’t believe it’s already the last week of classes here in Dublin. When looking at the schedule before arriving, I noticed a day off classes due to the bank holiday in Ireland on August 4th. It seems that we all came to an agreement early on that this long weekend should be spent getting new passport stamps, exploring different countries, and eating food other than fish & chips. So after wrapping up our final presentation for global business immersion on Friday, a few of us seized the chance to explore beyond Dublin, ending up scattered across Europe (and Ireland!). For me, this well-earned long weekend escape ended with me in Sardinia, Italy. Here are a few of the places visited and a few quick tips for avid travelers during your own study abroad adventures. 

Alghero – Sardinia Italy

Just around three hours from Dublin, Alghero is an absolutely sun-soaked gem on the northwestern coast of Sardinia. Think cobbled streets, turquoise water, and seafood so fresh it makes you question everything you thought you knew about pasta. I went with a friend, and from stumbling upon the most gorgeous beaches, taking a boat ride to a grotto right off the water, eating the best pizza and gelato I’ve ever had, it was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Sardinia might not be the first place that comes to mind for a weekend trip from Ireland, but trust me, it should be. We came upon this city on a complete whim! When looking for places, we wanted somewhere cheap to fly to and stay in and also a beach (of course!). From looking up “prettiest European cities for a weekend trip,”  Alghero became the top of our list and I’m so grateful it did! While my backpack might’ve been flagged by Ryanair as too big, the sun gave me one of the worst sunburns I’ve ever had, and the same backpack broke before our flight back, Sardinia was most definitely worth visiting. 

Brussels, Belgium 

A few others in our group jetted off to Brussels, where chocolate, waffles, and rich history collide. With its compact size and excellent public transport, Brussels is ideal for a short stay. They squeezed in everything from admiring the architecture, vintage thrifting, and a fun night out. Brussels is a similar vibe to that of Dublin as its well-connected, relatively affordable, and offers a unique mix of European culture in a bite-sized setting.

Faro, Portugal 

Another pair spent their weekend in Faro, Portugal. With consistent sunshine and cheap flights from Dublin, it’s a go-to for beach lovers and city explorers alike. From what I heard, pastel de nata tastes even better after a long day in the waves.

The Irish Countryside

As the last few of our weekends were occupied with pre-planned excursions, we didn’t have lots of time to explore farther out of Dublin, so some of us chose to stay in Ireland and explore some more! From Bray to Wicklow, staying local gave them a chance to see the parts of Ireland we often take for granted. It’s a good reminder that “getting away” doesn’t always mean going far.

Top tips: 

• Ryanair often runs cheap direct flights from Dublin. Book early and pack light (don’t get flagged like I did!)
• If you want to save money, book a private hostel room with your friends!
• Don’t overplan – this is something that’s really hard for me as an extreme type A! But lots of times, and especially for my trip to Alghero, not having a plan and just wandering leads you to the coolest things! 
• Maximize your time – we left early on Friday and the last possible flight on Monday to maximize our time away! Arriving back in Dublin at 1am on Tuesday was surprisingly not too bad!

Studying or living in Dublin means having Europe at your doorstep. And long weekends are the perfect excuse to explore. Whether you’re after sunny coastlines, buzzing cities, or quiet nature escapes, there’s something out there for every mood and budget. If you happen to be studying abroad in Europe, I highly recommend taking the leap, booking the flight, or hopping on the train to a new place. Because one of the best parts of studying abroad is being able to explore and come back with stories worth telling.

One of the most unexpectedly beautiful parts of studying abroad in Ireland has been hearing how people speak. And not just what they say, but how they say it. Irish phrases, whether rooted in Gaelic (the Irish language) or just slang, carry a kind of warmth and depth that English often dances around but never quite lands on. Here are five of my favorites I’ve heard during my time here in Ireland that say more than they should be able to in just a few words:

1. Céad Míle Fáilte – A hundred thousand welcomes

You’ll see this phrase everywhere from airport signage to pub walls but it’s more than just a quaint greeting. It reflects something deeper about Irish hospitality. It’s not just “welcome,” it seems to be an anthem for Ireland, highlighting its spirit of generously and joyfully embracing everyone. It reminds me that the warmth here isn’t performative. It’s woven into the culture, the language, and even the way strangers talk to you at the bus stop

2. Sláinte – Health / Cheers!

You’ll hear people raise a glass and say “Sláinte” just like you would say “Cheers” anywhere else, but once you know it literally means health, the word hits differently. It’s a toast, but also a wish. 

And after hearing about different aspects of Irish history, Slainte feels like an echo of older Irish values: community, resilience, wishing well even in hard times. 

3. Grand: Fine, okay, good enough

No list of Irish phrases would be complete without “grand.” It’s seemingly the Swiss Army knife of Irish vocabulary. You could fall in the Liffey, lose your phone, miss your bus, and still be met with: “Ah, you’ll be grand.”

But I appreciate grand and its optimism in disguise. Almost like a gentle way of saying “You’ll figure it out.” In a world where everything often feels like a big deal, the irony of “grand” is refreshingly chill.

4. “Away with the fairies” – Someone who’s daydreaming, distracted, or a bit quirky

This whimsical phrase is one of my favorites because it blends Irish folklore with everyday conversation. It speaks to how storytelling and myth still color the language here. In a place where magic and myth are woven into the landscape, it only makes sense that even casual language is whimsical here. 

5. Craic – fun, good times, banter, atmosphere

“Where’s the craic?”
One of the most commonly misunderstood phrases when first entering Ireland is Craic (as it’s pronounced crack). Craic isn’t just about fun. It’s a vibe, a connection, a moment when laughter fills the air and everyone feels alive in it. And in Ireland, you can’t force craic. You can only stumble into it, and recognize it once it’s there. It’s hard to translate, because we don’t really have an English equivalent that wraps fun, storytelling, laughter, and shared joy into one tidy syllable. But Ireland has one and they use it generously. And also as a way to have a bit of fun with tourists 🙂

Language has a way of revealing what a culture values, and Irish phrases, whether ancient or everyday, seem to treasure connection, health, presence, and ease.They’re meaningful in ways that linger longer than the words themselves. 

Our management class begins at 9:30, so I typically wake up around 8 to get ready. After getting ready, I’ll make a breakfast of eggs, cheese, and toast (Ireland has the best tasting breakfast foods). Typically there’s a group of people already in the kitchen, so we discuss our plans for the day and what we’ll do after class, always ending in a centra run to get coffee before heading off to the business school. The UCD campus is extremely walkable and more so for our specific program. We live in The Village which is right next to a student center with a centra (think of it like a wawa), gym, and a short walk away from laundry and the business school. Our management class has been so interactive and interesting so far! For instance, we did a simulation about a pandemic and made decisions on how to run a country based on different scenarios. We have class from 9:30-12, a break for lunch, and then resume either class from 1-3 or work on group projects. After class we usually hit the gym, take a nap, or study for a bit before heading out to dinner. I will say that collectively we’ve eaten out more for dinner than cooked, but it’s all for the experience right! Friday is a bit different as we have our global immersion class that day in the Blackrock campus. Together as a group we get on the S6 bus to head to Blackrock around 8 so we can grab breakfast at the Lazy Days Cafe. During our first class we shared our favorite foods from home and tried some Irish snacks! Weekends are variable as sometimes we have scheduled excursions, and sometimes have free weekends. For the first weekend we had excursions to the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery.

We’ve been in Dublin for a week now, yet it feels like we’ve been here for weeks. It instantly felt like home from touching down in Ireland to going to the pub with friends and talking with our professor during lunch. I’ve really tried to appreciate every little moment we’ve had here in Dublin so far as I’m not only grateful to have the opportunity to live abroad in a country I have ancestral ties to, but also to learn from a variety of experts (professors and guest speakers) in their respective fields. I’ve been to Dublin once before, but honestly it feels like a completely new city this time around. On day 1, the students in the program already were familiar with each other having met once in person and for a week of virtual classes, so it didn’t take much to start becoming friends. There are 14 total students who each get their own room, but we all share two kitchens and common areas, but somehow we decided to all use the same kitchen, cooking breakfast and dinner together. We established a house charter through our second class in management, establishing rules for cleaning, talking in the hallway, and of course pirate tuesday! The best thing about living in Ireland during the summer are the long days. The sun rises before 5am and sets around 10pm, so it’s basically like having two days in one. So far, we’ve explored the city center, Blackrock, and Bray. I’ve climbed a mountain, studied in multiple cafes, yelled “that’s so cute!” about 5000 times a day, missed too many buses, gone to so many different pubs, taken a billion photos, heard lots of live music on the streets and in restaurants, and made so many lifetime memories and friends. I can full heartedly say that this was the best decision to come here and I can’t wait to learn more, explore more, and see where this journey takes me! 

As a former competitive dancer, I’ve had numerous experiences with packing and planning for trips both short and long, domestic and international, but preparing to spend over two months in a country is nothing short of overwhelming. What should I bring to a country with unpredictable weather and highly variable temperatures? What should I buy there instead of bringing with me? I already know I’m not one to pack light, but trekking tons of luggage across the streets of Ireland is probably something I’ll regret once I arrive. Also considering the massive amounts of souvenirs I’ll bring back for friends and family, I need at least some room in my suitcases. 

Here’s my thought process for packing: everyone in the program was given a brief list with things that will be provided (we get housekeeping and free linens!), along with things to consider bringing. After looking at this list, I started with my essentials and required items. What are the things I cannot operate without, what clothing items are staples in my wardrobe, (obviously a raincoat will be needed since this is Ireland), can’t forget power adapters, a basic first aid kit, important documents, toiletries, computer, phone, etc. Then I added clothes and shoes for all weather conditions besides snow. I divided things into what I should put in my carry-on and larger suitcase based on how much I might need to access them when travelling. This helped to keep luggage to a minimum and consolidate only what I actually needed to bring. During the packing process I made sure I understood that whatever I was bringing, I’d have to repack at the end of the trip to bring home. 

As for beginning the actual course content, this proved equally as difficult. I have been working as a dancer in a show at Busch Gardens since March, and two weeks before leaving for home I injured my knee. Being abruptly and unexpectedly unable to dance or walk without crutches, my planning and excitement for Ireland quickly got pushed to the backburner. I had to focus on the obstacles in front of me in order to confirm I would be able to continue on the trip. The same week of the injury and being put on crutches we had our first week of synchronous classes, luckily over zoom. Each class was three hours and introduced key concepts, team projects, and how being in Ireland would impact the structure of the class. The two weeks after, we continued our classwork asynchronously over blackboard. My first class once arriving in Ireland will be Management in a Global Environment! Each class will last two weeks (imagine having a final every other Thursday!), and will be a fully immersive experience with guest speakers, excursions, hands-on group projects, in place of hour long lectures. 

Luckily, the recovery process has been going smoothly and in a couple days when I get to Ireland, I should be fully on the mend. It’s been quite the rocky road to Dublin! I’m so excited that this trip is finally just a couple days away from becoming reality and am looking forward to sharing all about it here in the Dublin Diaries!

Planning out your dorm room already? Your dorm is your second home while away at college, so making it feel comfortable should be top priority. Here are some things that I’ve found make my dorm room feel more like home.

1. Rugs – Most W&M dorms have tile floors which can be cold! Your feet will thank you for adding a rug to your room! Having a rug also completes my room and makes it feel more cosy.

2. Pictures of friends and family – Pictures of friends and family are a great way to decorate your room and bring some personality and memories with you! I have my pictures set up right above my desk so that I always see them while studying.

3. Fake plants and flowers – I love adding fake plants and flowers to my desk and windowsill to make everything seem more lively!

4. Favorite snacks – tasting my favorite snacks always reminds me of home. 

5. Stuffed animals / pillows – my stuffed animals have been with me for years, so it only made sense to bring them to college. They’re nice decorations that remind me of home! 

6. Books! – I love to read, so bringing my favorite books with me was a must.

7. String Lights – I have a ton of string lights up in my room at home, so bringing them here not only makes my dorm room look pretty, but it also reminds me of home!

Coming in as a spring transfer student, my college experience was already a little different from the traditional path. But every spring and summer the Abbeystone Theater at Busch Gardens becomes my third home (after my house and W&M!). During my family tradition of visiting Williamsburg twice a year since I was two, we would walk around campus, stroll down D.O.G. Street, and watch the Irish dance show Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens. So as soon as I knew I would be going to W&M, I knew I had to audition for the show. Working a full time performing job while also a full-time college student has its pros and cons. My days consist of school in the morning, grabbing food to go from Sadler or Caf and long 8-12 hours of rehearsal or a 3-4 show day. Initially I was concerned that being away from campus for such long periods of time would make me feel disconnected and behind, but  that certainly hasn’t been the case. My professors at William & Mary have been so helpful and supportive of me chasing my dream, making sure that I don’t miss any information and stay on track. Even if it means watching lectures remotely or meeting during office hours. Having such a busy schedule has taught me how to be more efficient in managing my time and also the importance of taking breaks. Jumping straight into the working world as soon as I got to college was both exciting and a bit overwhelming, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without such a strong support system. 

Me as lead in Celtic Fyre!

As the second oldest university in the United States, William & Mary has collected a load of interesting facts and accomplishments. This blog post contains an accumulation of some little known and interesting facts about our university!

Most people know how William & Mary is the second oldest college in America, but did you know that William & Mary was planned ahead of Harvard? While Harvard opened first, original plans for the college began in 1618 for a location in Henrico, VA, but were later abandoned. With this being said, William & Mary was planned before Williamsburg was even a town. Williamsburg was developed in honor of King William III and became the new capital in 1699. 

Have you ever taken a class in the Wren Building? To put into perspective how historically significant this academic building is, construction began in 1695! While renovated to upkeep the structural integrity, The Wren Building remains the oldest American college building still in use. The Wren building housed the legislature during the construction of the new capitol. 

William & Mary went on to become the first college to have a full faculty, elective system, honor system, a fraternity (Phi Beta Kappa), programs in modern languages, political economy, and modern history. Do you live in the Botetourt complex? Did you know that Lord Botetourt donated gold medals for the college’s first collection of medallic prizes? In 1779, William & Mary was the first college in America to open a law school, making it the first university in the nation. Over its time, the university has educated three U.S. presidents including Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. George Washington also received his surveyor’s license at William & Mary! William & Mary received a statue of Thomas Jefferson as a gift from the University of Virginia, (Thomas Jefferson founded UVA!), in 1993 that can be found between Washington Hall and McGlothlin Hall. 

You might be familiar with Lodge 1 In the ground floor of the Sadler Center, but do you know where the name originated from? Lodge 1 was originally the location of an 8th lodge on campus. Since demolished for the construction and expansion of the Sadler Center, a lodge was a small house-like residential option. The Sunken Garden did not actually sink on its own, but was designed after the Chelsea Hospital gardens in London and was initially used as a campground for troops. 

More recently, William & Mary’s student body and alumni have maintained impressive accomplishments. William & Mary is considered a public ivy for its prestigious academic program. 83% of classes at W&M have fewer than 40 students and nearly 50% have fewer than 20 students! As of 2020, for 12 years in a row, William & Mary was named a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers. 

Sources 

“The College of William and Mary.” Virginia Museum of History & Culture, virginiahistory.org/learn/college-william-and-mary. Accessed 30 July 2023. 

“Cool Facts.” William & Mary, www.wm.edu/about/history/coolfacts/index.php. Accessed 30 July 2023. 

Eickel, Ryan, and Elsewhere on W&M Blogs. “Sir Christopher Wren and 5 Other Little Known Facts about the College.” The William & Mary Blogs, 10 Oct. 2014, wmblogs.wm.edu/ryan/sir-christopher-wren-and-5-other-little-known-facts-about-the-college/. 

Frances WongFrances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television. “10 Fun Facts about the College of William and Mary.” AdmitSee, 17 Sept. 2021, www.admitsee.com/blog/10-fun-facts-about-the-college-of-william-and-mary. “History & Traditions.” William & Mary, www.wm.edu/about/history/index.php. Accessed 30 July 2023.