For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of studying abroad in Australia. The perfect climate, the amazing and vastly diverse scenery, and the friendly and welcoming citizens have all added to my desire to spend time in the country. After years of anticipation, the time has finally come to travel abroad for a semester. So here I am, a week into my semester in Ireland.

Wait... whaaaaaat?!

That's right, Ireland. On December 28th, I took an overnight flight to Dublin to commence my orientation program. I imagine you are wondering why I ignored my dream of studying "Down Under" and instead picked a cold and rainy country thousands of miles away. Simple reason: Australian universities tend to have semesters that run well into the summer. With an internship offer for next summer on the table from a Big Four accounting firm, I decided to make the responsible decision and pick another country. I was quite disappointed with the turn of events, and all I asked from my new destination was that the people speak the English language. With some help from my advisor in the Office of International Education, and a few games of "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe," I chose to go to Cork, Ireland.

So after an outrageously short winter break, I took off for what I thought was the land of potatoes and sheep. It was somewhat tough to say goodbye to my parents, three sisters, three cats, friends from my hometown in New Jersey, my brothers in Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and my other Bucknell friends. However, I didn't really get upset. I don't think I fully processed that I was about to leave everything I know and love behind until I sat down on that huge Continental jet in Row 34. I started to reflect on all my other "knowledge" about Ireland... Lucky Charms, magically delicious Leprechauns and their pots of gold, Riverdance, Guinness Beer, green things, and Bono. I hate Bono, and I am terrified of leprechauns. While the temptation to freak out was growing, I chose instead to turn off my brain and enjoy the gloriousness that is my 160 gig iPod.

Upon my arrival in Dublin, any fear or questions I had disappeared faster than Jamie Lynn Spears' innocence. The Arcadia University staff was extremely welcoming, and I cliqued with many of the other American students from the start. Despite being crammed into a tiny hostel room with six strangers, my orientation time in Dublin was awesome. We learned a great deal about the Irish culture and people, we explored the city of Dublin, and we got a ton of free food.

Then there was New Year's Eve in Dublin. I am struggling to even describe that experience. New Year's Eve in Dublin makes New Year's Eve in Times Square seem about as exciting as a tea party with Great Aunt Gladys. It was a blast. And Irish people are, overall, modest, proud, and extremely clever and witty. Most of all, they are very friendly -- any stranger is more than willing to help you with directions or to start up a chat.

After a great stay in Dublin, I was more than ready to settle down in Cork. Cork is simply beautiful. My five-person sweet suite (nice homophone usage, ey?) apartment, where I live with two American guys and two Irish guys, is situated both a short walk from the City Centre and a short walk from University College Cork. The cobblestone streets, old fashioned architecture, random castles, and beautiful views make me almost forget how cold and rainy it is ... but not quite.

However, my few days in this city have reinforced the feelings I am developing for Ireland. I wouldn't say I'm in love with her yet, but I definitely have a huge crush on her. I do love the fact that I already have an amazing group of American friends from all over our country, and I have absolutely hit it off with my Irish flatmates. I look forward to finishing up orientation and picking classes, so I can start the semester (Monday), join clubs and campus organizations, and hopefully make some Irish BFFs. Then I'll have a true taste for what this place has to offer.

I want to take this chance to thank those who have made my trip possible. First and foremost, I want to thank my parents for teaching me to take advantage of every opportunity. While cooking, laundry, and general hygiene may be difficult for me without their guidance, the confidence I have in myself and my abilities would not be there if they hadn't raised me the way that they did (same goes for my sisters). I also want to thank my professors at Bucknell and my advisor in the International Education Office, Danielle Ross. To my friends -- I know your time without me will be very hard, possibly unbearable, but try to be brave and remember everything I taught you. Soon enough we will be playing Guitar Hero for outrageous lengths of time and everything will be back to normal.

I have many goals for this blog. First of all, I want to keep the people I care about updated on my experiences. Next, I look forward to expressing how I feel and what I am up to in my own way. Lastly, I hope to inspire potential Bucknell and other study abroaders that even if you are scared, and even if things don't work out according to plan, that they should take this once in a lifetime opportunity and just go somewhere. If you can do this, you can do a lot of other things life has to offer. After one week here, I already know that much.

Anyway, I apologize if this entry was long and boring, but I've already been here for a week and have had a ton of experiences. The entries will be much shorter and more narrowly focused in the coming weeks and months. To be honest, I really have no structured plan of what I will specifically be writing about. Now that you have a background of what is going on with me, I will probably just write any old thing that I am thinking about at the time, in my unique way. As you may or may not be able to tell, I tend to be silly, sarcastic, or weird when I write at times, and I want all you lads and lasses to come here with an open mind when you want to "find the craic" (In Ireland, the phrase "Where's the craic?" means "Where is there something fun to do?" Needless to say, I was pretty dumbfounded when I was asked this the first time.)

Anyway, while I may not follow that rainbow to a pot of gold like I had hoped to upon my departure from the states, I really feel that this will be the kind of experience that changes my life, and I hope you tag along for the ride.