Carrie Minnick
Host Institution: University of Ulster - Belfast -- United Kingdom
Home Institution: Eckerd College
Period: Spring 2009


The Undiscovered Country

When I first told my parents that I wanted to study in Northern Ireland for a semester, they were not excited about the prospect. Why, out of all the choices I had, would I choose to spend my semester abroad in conflict-ridden Northern Ireland? I did not actually know much about the country, other than the remnants of The Troubles that I heard about on the news and in my classes. But I was confident that tiny Northern Ireland had more to offer me than the classes I needed for my degree, and so I eagerly awaited my semester at the University of Ulster in Coleraine. My trip to the United Kingdom was my first real trip outside of the United States. All my expectations fled as soon as I stepped off the plane in Belfast, and luckily I met some other exchange students at the airport. Together we journeyed to the small town of Coleraine by train, giving us a great view of the Irish landscape, complete with sheep.
	If there is one stereotype about Ireland that is true, it is that the people there are friendly. Every person we met greeted us with a smile, and they would freely offer help and conversation. I settled into my home for the next four months, and was excited to learn that my five housemates were all locals. They took me under their wing, making sure I knew where to get food and inviting me out in the evenings. The transition to life in another country was simple in a place so welcoming, and before long, it felt like home.
I soon found a close group of friends within the Christian Union. Being very involved in campus ministries at my home college, I was excited to learn that there was a similar group at the University of Ulster. We met on Thursday nights, and afterward some of us gathered at the Springhill, a local pub where some musicians played traditional Irish music and they served us small wheaton bread sandwiches. This soon became my favorite part of the week.
	Everyone told me before I left that while in Europe, I needed to make the most of inexpensive travel and go as many places as possible. This resulted in multiple day trips to the attractions of Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Londonderry/Derry, and Giant’s Causeway. Each location was unique. Londonderry/Derry, still torn by The Troubles, but in the process of healing, is the only place in Northern Ireland where the old city walls remain intact. Belfast boasts the original cranes, Samson and Goliath, that built the Titanic, as well as many historic landmarks and sculptures.
	My favorite by far was Giant’s Causeway. I have always loved the outdoors, and Giant’s Causeway is one of the most spectacular natural rock formations I have ever seen. There is something magical about hopping between the hexagonal shaped rocks while listening to the tale of Finn McCool building the causeway to Scotland. If you go on a clear day, you can see all the way to Scotland across the water.
One perk of studying abroad in the spring was that Saint Patrick’s Day fell during the semester. The International Club at my University planned a day-trip to Dublin, leaving at five in the morning and not returning until almost midnight. The city was packed with people excited to see the parade and join in the festivities of the holiday, and some even climbed up to sit on statues to get a good view!
	I attended two Ceilidhs (pronounced CAY-leez), which are gatherings that involve music, dancing, and story-telling. We learned group dances that reminded me of square dancing and sang along to songs such as “The Wild Rover” and “I’ll Tell Me Ma.” When everyone sang, whether on key or not, it felt as if the troubles of the world melted away and we returned to a simpler time. And later, while sipping on cups of tea, we entertained ourselves by telling stories and talking to one another. In my busy life in America, I rarely take the time to relax like I did in Northern Ireland, and I realized that I don’t need to be out at a club or watching a movie to have a great time with my friends.
Walking along the beautiful Northern Irish coast before I left, I thought about how much I had changed during my stay in the foreign land. I came expecting to see a country wrought from the Troubles, but found people ready to move past their differences and rebuild their nation. I learned how it is possible to combine age-old traditions with a modern way of living to form what is uniquely Northern Ireland’s culture. Looking back, I don’t know why I chose the University of Ulster when I filled out my application to study abroad, but I discovered a beautiful gem.