Pamela Bump
Galway, Ireland
On a normal Monday afternoon, I walked to campus and entered a classroom with fellow a journalists of the school newspaper, The Student Independent News. Without hesitation, we stripped off most of our clothing. I sat down in front of a camera and unfolded my newspaper. As I worked to keep myself hidden with the pages as my shield, I realized that this was something I definitely would not have done in the United States.
After the photos were printed and revealed to the rest of the student body at the National University of Ireland Galway, I was still proud of what I had done. I had no regrets as I posed and bonded with the members of the SIN; one of 12 groups on campus who participated in NUIG’s annual Naked Calendar. The proceeds of each calendar sold would go to both the ISPCC Childline and the Galway Rape Crisis Center. As a visiting student, getting involved and taking risks were things I embraced. I was not going to leave this country unchanged or unspoken for.
Contributed Photo: Pamela Bump crossing the Rope Bridge on the Giant’s Causeway tour in Northern Ireland.
The important part of studying abroad to me, was to live and learn from my surroundings. I have gone on many vacation-type adventures, met great people, seen the green rolling hills of Ireland, searched but did not find the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, and experienced crazy nightlife. On the other hand, many experiences have taught me important lessons about life.
In Belfast, I learned more about Ireland’s religious and political conflicts on a deeper level. I realized early-on that there were big differences between the Republic of Ireland, where Galway is located, and Northern Ireland, a member of the United Kingdom, where Belfast is the capital. As I traveled through Northern Ireland, I gained more insight on why the northern and southern ends of Ireland were so different.
When we visited the Peace Wall in Belfast, a wall splitting up neighborhoods of the Protestant and Catholic faith, it was hard to ignore the tension that is still in the area today. It was one thing to read about these events. It was another to be in the place where the conflicts happened during my own lifetime. It was very different to the area of Galway which I had grown accustomed to. This was also one of those experiences that taught me not to take opportunity, friends, family or peace for granted.
Despite learning harsh facts about the past, the trip to Belfast was also one of the most fun and memorable weekend trips. Although I have stayed in hostels before with friends sleeping in the same room, I was admittedly nervous about staying in a hostel room by myself for the first time. However, this hostel seemed like a safe place with the most genuine staff and guests I have ever met. One night, we all sat on the porch of the hostel involved in a deep discussion of everything from politics to our own personal backgrounds. Later that night, we all went on a pub crawl, where we checked out a few interesting night clubs, danced, had pints and got to know each other. Despite learning about its darker past, I learned that Belfast has become a place of great people, culture, entertainment and music.
The next morning, my friends and I followed our fun night of pub crawling with a trip to the Giant’s Causeway, a mysterious set up of oddly shaped rocks on the Northern coast of Ireland, which has been mentioned in many old Irish fairytales and myths. We hiked to great heights and crossed a rope bridge suspended hundreds of feet over steep cliffs and a fast current of water. The views were unbelievable. At some points we could even see Scotland. At the conclusion of this weekend visit, I felt like I had seen a small glimpse of both sides of Ireland, while also meeting people from all over the world in our hostel.
Contributed Photo: Pamela Bump crossing the Rope Bridge on the Giant’s Causeway tour in Northern Ireland.
As I think back on my time in Ireland and all of the interesting things I’ve done here, I realize that I am nearing the end of a bigger journey than just a semester abroad. I think about the day where I will leave Europe.
I know that the first question I will hear when I get off of the plane will be a very broad and very vague, “How was Ireland?” To the person who asks, it will seem like the simplest question. To me, it will be the most complex and challenging to answer. One thing I know is that I have been forever changed by the last few months.
When I return home, it will not be the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new one. I will miss all the friends and memories that I leave behind, but I will welcome many new ones. I have taken risks I never thought I would and learned how to live with no regrets.
I have learned about the bad, the good and other things that make life so interesting and beautiful.