Zach McCarthy, My Study Abroad Experience
Hi! I have spent the last couple months studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. I was so excited to start this journey studying abroad as I have never been out of the United States before. I was able to travel to four countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal) before starting my time in Dublin. Since starting school here in Ireland I have been to Olso, Norway and will be going to Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris before heading back to the United States. My time abroad has been a great change of pace for me. The semester system is more relaxed and I have really enjoyed this time away from Santa Clara, but at the same time I am more excited than ever to return to Santa Clara for my last year and a half on campus. However, I am not ready to accept that I am a junior and am in the latter half of my time at Santa Clara. In Ireland, I am in an on-campus dorm at a very large university with hiking trails and nature everywhere. It is about a 30 minute bus ride into the city center of Dublin and I have loved walking over the city center and exploring everything Dublin has to offer. Dublin is a city I can really see myself living in as it has a very young workforce and a bustling downtown that does not feel too overwhelming to live in.
I feel very grateful for my time abroad and encourage all students to apply to an abroad program, especially if you have not had the opportunity to go abroad before college. My time has really opened my eyes to how large the world really is and has given me a new perspective on international topics and issues. I hope to continue traveling the world for the rest of my life now and have realized how much of the world I want to explore.