Finals finale

I’ve just gotten back from a hectic day; the last day of finals, and the celebration that ensued. The stress and the crunch is over and yet another semester is complete. It seems like this week has gone by so fast and people are already getting ready to leave. This has been such a fun semester and I hate to see it end. I feel like I’ve gained a lot from coming to Dublin and studying here for these last four months. I’ve experienced a new country and setting, I’ve certainly matured and grown as an individual, I’ve learned a lot about the world and Ireland specifically. But most of all I feel a sense of accomplishment like I’ve overcome some kind of obstacle in my life and everything else seems less daunting in comparison.

I’ve met some great people on this trip that I’ll never forget. The experiences we’ve shared will remain with me for as long as I live. They have really, for me, made this trip what it is and I don’t think it could have been as good as it was with any other group of people. The diversity and character of this group has really stretched the Champlain Dublin program to its limits and we’ve taken all that we can from it. I am thankful that we were able to and I hope future groups have as much success and reap as much a reward from the experience as I have.

I’ll certainly never forget the staff here either, I have already thanked them countless times, even in my blogs, but I really can’t thank them enough. As much as the other students, if not more so, the staff have made this trip what it is as they’ve led us on our way through this crazy journey. There are so many things I know I wouldn’t have experienced or acted upon had the staff not suggested or otherwise promote it to us. They make the experience very personal and I can tell they all really enjoy being a part of it. It’s a rather unique setting to be in as a student and only under these circumstances could you enjoy it.

I am grateful Champlain has set such a great program up over here. If the process, from beginning to end, of coming over here and going to school for a whole semester was not as easy as they made it, I really don’t think I’d be here in Dublin right now. It’s a difficult decision to make to go over to another country so far from home and live their for several months, and it’s certainly a large undertaking to actually prepare yourself and make the trip. Luckily, Champlain makes the process easy and comfortable for you so really anyone can do it.

I am very pleased with the decision I made to come here. It is an unbelievable experience that I think everyone should get to enjoy. It could not be any easier to do and the rewards are priceless.