Aren’t sure where to study abroad? Ireland is a country filled with natural beauty, pubs consistently playing traditional Irish music, friendly people, and so much more. I spent the fall of 2016 studying at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland and loved every second of it. Here are just a few reasons why I believe you should study abroad in Ireland:
1. The People
In 2014, BBC named Ireland the friendliest place in the world and once you visit Ireland you will understand exactly why. Whether you are walking into a local pub, attending one of your classes, or riding in a taxi, you are sure to be greeted with a warm welcome and smile. The Irish have a way of making any foreigners feel right at home in any setting. They welcome tourists and love having the opportunity to show them their culture and lively sense of humor.
2. It’s a Beautiful Place for an Outdoor Adventure
There are numerous outdoor activities you can engage in while exploring every scenic national park and landmark in Ireland. National parks such as Connemara National Park and the Wicklow Mountain National Park are perfect locations for hiking, rock climbing, exploring castles and abbeys, canoeing, cycling and so much more. While engaging in all of the invigorating activities these places have to offer you will also have the opportunity to revel in Ireland’s most breathtaking views.
3. The Craic
Craic (pronounced “crack”), is an Irish slang term for having a good time. It does not matter if you are listening to Irish music at the local pub, at a Gealic football game, a festival, or just sitting down for a pint, you are sure to experience mighty good craic. With so much to see and even more to do, there is never a dull moment during a night out in Ireland, which means every night out will be memorable and full of craic.
4. The Transportation System
Ireland has an extremely easy to navigate bus system. The buses will take you to even the smallest cities in Ireland and run on very consistent schedules. With transportation this easy you will have no problem touring around the entire country. Ireland is also famous for its airline company Ryanair which offers extraordinarily cheap flights to locations all over Europe!
5. No Language Barrier
Ireland is an English speaking country, which is extremely convenient for English speaking students. All of the classes taught at universities are in English, which makes it very easy to communicate with classmates and professors. Also, since almost all of the people in Ireland speak English, students never have issues communicating with locals. However, Ireland did originally have a different national language, Gaelic, which is still spoken in the southwestern hemisphere. This language is still taught in universities, therefore students can study abroad in an English speaking country and learn another language.
About the Author – Jessica Battaglia ’18
Hello! My name is Jessica Battaglia and I’m a senior Occupational Therapy major. In the future, I plan to become a practicing occupational therapist, who works with amputees in a rehabilitation hospital. During the first semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Limerick, Ireland. Studying abroad was the best experience of my life and I want to share it with the students as an Elizabethtown College Study Abroad Peer Advisor. I think it is extremely important for students to take advantage of such an amazing opportunity while they have the chance!
Blue Jays Abroad 
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