I didn’t know quite how to commence this blog but I have to say when I began college, study abroad was not in my future so I thought. I was not ready to leave the country for the first time and venture off on my own in unknown surroundings. Concluding spring semester 2014 a woman from Ulster University came to speak in my abnormal psychology class about the university she works for which so happened to be in the country of Ireland and how they had an excellent psychology program. The way she talked about Ireland and all it entails I knew I had to find a way to allow myself the experience. Come fall 2014 I was privileged to be accepted to the 2015 Ireland study abroad trip.

There are no words to describe the experience I had on this adventure and the people I have met, the kind educators that took their time to lecture the group and I on things I find most intriguing, and the things I saw that made me appreciate all I have in America.

Psychology is something I am so very passionate about, the way the mind works, the reasoning for existence, the destiny to happiness.

A lecture by Dr. Steven Costello was given the first or second day we had arrived in Derry, Ireland and the lecture was truly inspirational and he helped me envision a clearer picture on what defines happiness.

Proceeding onto Giant’s Causeway was a very special part of why I chose to go on this trip; no picture or words can capture the beauty and moment of the breathtaking water/view I was so blessed to see. The feeling of the wind hitting my face, the smell of the ocean air I breathed as I stood there watching the open sea from the cliff. It was the first moment I felt happy in a long time. Which digressed back to what Dr. Costello mentioned in his lecture. You can’t find happiness it is not a destination, happiness just happens. And it happened for me as I experienced Giant’s Causeway for the very first time.

I have met a plethora of people and each have touched my heart in many ways that will carry with me on my many endeavors as I strive to reach my goal of becoming a psychologist. For future students, I can’t quite explain the feeling I had on this excursion, it is a special feeling deep within yourself. All I can say is you will not be the same person you were prior this adventure, you will mature and obtain new knowledge that will carry with you through your college years and your life.

Anyone can sit in a classroom open a textbook and listen to lectures. But to experience the world as you learn about what you are most passionate about…. Priceless..