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.

By Zaria Hardy

I know, I know, you have heard it a million times, the friends you make in college are for life, but it is the truth. The friends you make in college make the experience. Friends are great allies you have in your life who realize how odd you can be, and still like you. Companions are the embodiment of our young lives, sometimes different versions of ourselves, and encompass the vast majority of our fondest memories. Most importantly, good friends are there when you need them the most. When your family tells you that friends are forever, this especially applies to college friends.

While college comes with its glitz and glam, it also comes with its challenges. Adapting to a new environment, being away from family, balancing work with play, and the obvious workload are only a few of the problems that can arise . Life is hard, especially college life. It isn’t a process that anyone should have to do alone. Having like minded people around you provides you with support, a safe space, and challenges you in ways you do not necessarily want but may need. So much happens in a college setting that no one could predict. Friends can support you through these times because they probably have experienced something similar and that makes all the difference. Friends are your home away from home.

College friendships are also important for diversifying your network and mindset. Expanding your friend circle puts you in rooms with people whom you may not already have access to. Opportunities present themselves through relationship building. Networking provides individuals with the tools and resources to advance to the next level. Additionally, college friends help to change your existing perspectives and encourage you to form new opinions. Forming intentional companionship with individuals who have similar values can shape the manner in which we see the world and the manner by which we engage in everyday life by influencing our mindset. Friends provide growth opportunities rather be it professionally or personally. Having college friends creates a community of individuals who help you see the lessons in each failure. College friends are a source of encouragement that help take you to the next level.

Additionally, friends are a vital part of life. Having college friends helps with the initial transition into adulthood. In most cases, the friends you make in college are the set of friends you do life with. They have literally seen you at your lowest and highest moments. They walked hand in hand with you while trying new things and figuring out what you do and do not like. I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage “people go to college to find themselves”. Well, finding yourself involves finding friends who enhance and sharpen who you want to be. Friendship is about getting out of your comfort zone and into the world together. Who better to do it with than your college friends?

So, don’t be afraid to shoot your friendship shot. Use the proximity of new and exciting things on the college campus to nurture and create meaningful friendships. There are plenty of opportunities to make friends on college campuses. Attend campus events, join student organizations, or talk to someone you see by themselves. You could even ask your roommate to get coffee with you. All in all, put yourself out there and watch how many worthwhile friendships will form.

About Zaria

Zaria is a first year graduate student (class of 2023) in the Clinical mental health- couples, marriage, and family counseling program. On campus, she is a reviewer for the William and Mary school of education academic journal. One fun fact about her is that she loves thought provoking conversations.