I remember my first time at Le Moyne. The tour guide asked the group who was interested in studying abroad. My reaction was: “No way.” I could barely grasp the idea of leaving home, let alone leaving the country. I’m happy to say that my time at Le Moyne has expanded my horizons and allowed me to experience things I never thought I would.
When Professor Michael Streissguth of the Department of Communication and Film Studies mentioned a possible trip to Ireland, I could not say no. He has family in Ireland and had taken students on the trip before. I was the only junior in a group of six seniors. Although I was a little nervous about being the odd one out, we all had a great time on the trip together and became very close. It was an opportunity for me to branch out and I would not change any of it.
Although we only spent a week in Ireland, Professor Streissguth had a lot of connections in the country, so we were able to see a lot of places and people. We attended an Irish theatre, visited an Irish advertising agency, talked to a woman who was a nurse during The Troubles, and explored the beautiful landscape of Western Ireland, just to name a few things.
My absolute favorite part of the trip were the friendly and hospitable Irish people. In Doolin, we stayed at a bed and breakfast tended by the sweetest man who let us play with his dog and made us a traditional Irish breakfast in the morning. I would encourage all students to take advantage of any study abroad opportunities that come their way. I am studying abroad in Rome for the fall 2017 semester and I can’t wait to see new places and people, just like I did in Ireland!
Kelsey Roche ’18 is a communications major from Albany, N.Y. Roche’s trip to Ireland was funded in part by The O’Leary International Travel Grants Program, which provides financial awards of up to $2,000 to help offset travel costs for students in Le Moyne’s College of Arts and Sciences participating in study abroad programs. This grant program is administered by the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences and funded by a gift from the estate of Dr. Harriet L. O’Leary, professor emerita of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
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