Ireland Special!☘️ 🇨🇮 - by Alessandra, Alexandra, Laura, and Rosaria

OUR EXPERIENCE 

Our experience began on the 6th of September and ended on the 13th of December: almost four intense months filled with new adventures and emotions! Each of us lived this mobility experience in our own unique way, but what unites us all is that this journey left a mark on us and changed our lives forever.

Ireland has been a fantastic, exciting and deep journey, not only through this gorgeous country, but also within ourselves. We attended school,lived with host families, explored a lot of towns, and made the most of every single day. We learned so much about Ireland: its traditions, its food, its people, its school system, its language…but above all, we learned about ourselves and about life.

It wasn’t always easy, especially at the beginning, but as time passed, we gradually adapted to a new lifestyle, opened ourselves to new friendships, and learned to appreciate even the smallest everyday moments. And in the end, we didn’t even want to come back!

This journey gave us memories we will carry forever: the laughter shared at school, the warmth of our host families, the breathtaking landscapes, the rain that caught us by surprise, the pride of overcoming challenges and discovering how much we can grow when we step out of our comfort zone.

OTHER CITIES

During our Erasmus experience in Ireland, we had the opportunity to visit several cities throughout the country. One of the most impressive cities was Dublin, the capital, where you can clearly see history and modern life coexist. Walking through the city on our own was sometimes challenging, especially at the beginning, because we had to learn how to orient ourselves and manage public transport independently. However, this difficulty helped us become more confident and responsible. In Dublin, we also visited important cultural places such as the National Gallery, which allowed us to learn more about Irish art and culture.

We also explored Cork where we visited Cork Cathedral, an impressive building that showed us the religious and historical importance of the city. Another unforgettable stop was Cobh, a small and peaceful seaside town known for its colorful houses and its connection to the Titanic, in fact this was the last town where the Titanic stopped before sinking. Visiting the Titanic Memorial was a very emotional moment and helped us reflect on an important part of Irish history. Many of these experiences were even more special because we were often accompanied by our Spanish host sisters. Exploring new cities together, helping each other and sharing moments of discovery created a strong bond between us. These beautiful experiences not only enhanced us culturally, but also helped us grow closer as a group, making our Erasmus journey truly meaningful and unforgettable.

FUN FACTS and CURIOSITIES 

• Hurling is the national sport of Ireland: it is one of the oldest and most popular sports in Ireland. Hurling is an outdoor team sport and It is played with a wooden stick called Hurley and a small ball called Sliotar. Local communities strongly support their teams.

• You can get all four seasons in one day: during the day, the weather can change quickly, going from sun to rain and wind. So, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes! The wind will be your worst enemy. Umbrellas are basically decorative, the wind will win over them. 

• The Irish breakfast is rich and satisfying: it is perfect for starting the day. It usually includes eggs, bacon, sausages, black and white pudding. With a cup of strong tea in your hand, you can really feel like a true local!

• Irish schools offer the possibility to take the Transition Year, better known as TY, a year focused on life skills (with workshops) and also a year without exams!- this gives students extra advantages and freedom.You could explore, create and learn without any stress! 

• Ireland is the only country in the entire world whose national emblem is a musical instrument: the harp. It appears on Irish coins, passports and official documents.It represents Irish history, culture and resistance. Even famous brands like Guinness use the harp as a symbol.

• Gaelic, better known as Irish, is taught in schools and can be found everywhere in daily life , from street to public buildings.You might not understand everything, but saying ‘slán’ or ‘thanks a million’ will make you sound like a local in no time!