Oh, Ireland. It's Good Night, Not Goodbye

15 plane rides. 

6 countries visited.

5 hour time difference.

4 flatmates turned friends.

3 classes 3x a week.

2 pairs of boots ruined.
1 semester abroad.

1 amazing journey.

Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Oh, Ireland.

What a beautiful, beautiful country you are. You gave me so many opportunities to make new friends, delve into your culture, explore the world, and ultimately grow as a person. This won’t be the last time that I write about you, but now the semester is over. It's good night, not goodbye. I plan on coming back one day to make even more memories and relive some old ones.

Me at the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

Christmas is here; and even though I have an exam to take in January, it’s time to go home. I’m writing this as I’m sitting in Newark’s airport, reminiscing about all the time I had and how I wish I could have a little bit more. I feel like I had just gotten the hang of things – I learned how to live on my own for the first time. I can cook a fine shepherd’s pie from scratch, navigate a new city without much trouble, and I can almost say goodbye without shedding a tear. That last part may be a bit of stretch, but that’s okay because I've made so many wonderful friends and had so many amazing experiences.  

Our goodbye party in my flat.

With new international friends in Australia, China, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, France, and more, I have so much more of the world to see. Then comes planning the road trips to visit my friends in the U.S. I can’t wait to share my stories with you all next semester. Studying abroad has been my favorite highlight of 2015 and I’m excited to see what 2016 has to offer.

Friends and I climbing the Moore mountains.

Have a merry holiday and a blessed New Year.

Best,

Kim