Academic LIfe, Yes I'm Actually Studying

Since I came to Ireland on a Study Abroad program I guess I should talk about the classes I am taking, yes in all my fun I am actually going to class. Going to class is not all that bad, especially when you get to have class in a pub called The King’s Head. I promise having class in a pub was actually a very educational experience. There is a lot of history surrounding The King’s Head in Galway, Ireland. The King Head’s is where the man who beheaded King Charles, hint the name The King’s Head, lived. We learned about all the history associated with the building and then we had a debate on the third floor. The seventeen of us were divided into two groups and given a week to prepare for a debate for or against the rehabilitation of Cromwell in Ireland. Just so you know my team won. Having a class in a pub was a new experience.

Now, I have done more than just have classes in pubs. Two weeks ago I got the chance to learn the Irish Penny Whistle. It is similar to our version of the recorder. Let’s just say seventeen people trying to learn an instrument at one time can be a little loud and annoying. But it is all great fun and a very effective way to wake up some sleepy roommates. In the next coming weeks we will be learning Irish dancing. You could say I am more than a little excited.

This past Monday we got the chance to go to an Irish secondary school located about fifteen minutes from where we are living. At the school we were broken up into small groups and talked about the differences between an Irish school and an American school. Wow, there are so many differences I cannot even talk about them all. I think one of the most dramatic differences is the way they are tested. In America we have the ACT and the SAT tests to take to get into college. In Ireland the class that is testing takes a day to take the tests for college, sounds simple right? If you happen to be sick the day of testing, you are out of luck. You only get one chance a year to take the test. If you miss the test you have to stay another full year in school to retake it! To me that was crazy! Overall, it was a lot of fun to talk to local teens and see their view point on Ireland.