The first few days..

So much has happened in my first few days in Belfast that I don't even know where to begin.. Maybe I will write about certain areas of my new "home" so that everyone back in the states can get a little taste of what my life has been like the last few days.

First, I will start with the people I have met. I feel like I can be completely open with the friends that I have made here. We are all experiencing something new and are all self-conscious about something, so no one is judgmental. It is such a nice feeling knowing that no matter what you say and no matter what you wear, you will be accepted. There is no barbie doll norm here, everyone gets to be who they want to be. And I feel that in our society, even in our circle of friends that sometimes that is a rare novelty. Of course there are stereotypes, and I am supposedly fulfilling all the American ones my international friends have. However, they reassure me that is a good thing, otherwise they wouldn't be spending so much time with me.

Second, the weather. Contrary to my hopes is not much warmer than it is back in Iowa. I just looked up the weather and it is 15 degrees warmer in Belfast than it is in Iowa. Even though I am sure you are all thinking I still have it much better than you. I challenge you to walk an hour in this weather and then tell me how "warm" it feels in comparison. The walk to classes takes anywhere between 10-20 minutes so it is no 2 minute walk like Coe. Also, Iowa is known for its rapid change in weather however I experienced all 4 seasons in one day in Ireland. It snowed, misted, rained hailed, and was sunny all within about 4 hours! And did I mention this was all under a crystal clear blue sky?

Third, the differences I am experiencing as an international student. I thought I would be able to get along easy in another country which speaks English. That was a naive misconception. Even though I know it is an easier transition for me than some, it is not easy. Many things have little differences that make them confusing. Take registering for classes as an example. The website was so confusing that a guy literally had to walk me through it and basically did the whole thing for me. It could have been in Arabic as far as I was concerned. And even though the Irish accent is quite nice to listen to, it is also quite hard to understand at times. A few times non-native English speakers will turn to me and ask what the Irish person said, and even though we speak the same language I have no clue what they said either.

Well, that is all for now. I hope you continue to read my blog and don't forget to keep in touch.

All my love,
Amanda

Preparing for Ireland

Currently, I am sitting in my basement watching the Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Orange bowl. As I listened to the announcers compare the temperature difference between Florida and Iowa, I felt it would be a good time to compare the differences between Ireland and Iowa that I will experience. I thought this comparison would be interesting to look back on in June to see what other differences I have noticed.

1. I will be living in the United Kingdom instead of the United States.
2. My friends will no longer be called my friends but my mates.
3. In spirit of the game, the weather will be 20 degrees warmer than I am currently experiencing.
4. I will be paying for things in pounds instead of dollars.
5. I will be living with students from Germany and France instead of Iowa and Illinois.
6. The bars that I patronize on the weekend will not be called bars but pubs.
7. The fields that surround my house will be replaced by green rolling hillside.
8. Snow which never fails to fall in February will be in the form of rain.

Some of these differences are minimal while others over a 5 month period will affect my life greatly. I am looking forward to the adventures which will expand my knowledge of other cultures and the many life lessons that I will learn.