Countdown to Ireland!

So here I am, twelve days from my departure to the Emerald Isle, a place that has always been on my bucket list of “places I will visit sometime in the distant future". It is still hard to believe that it is happening. I never imagined going as a college student and spending a month attending a university there, followed by a road trip around the country. There is no doubt that Dad is dancing an Irish jig in heaven and Grandpa Ed, whose mother emigrated from Tipperary, is with him, singing, "My Wild Irish Rose".

Perhaps I should go back and explain how this trip began. In the spring of 2015, I began taking classes online through Creighton University to complete my Bachelor's degree, an ongoing goal of mine for many years. When I started, I was still living in Iowa, but was moving to Omaha in the summer. Once I got to Omaha, I became involved in activities in Creighton, thanks to my awesome advisor, Amy Gillaspie. Amy and fellow advisor Laurie Galeski (who is equally awesome) both provided many ideas about opportunities to become involved at Creighton, and each one has been a positive experience. Currently, I am a peer mentor for Creighton's CPS 200 class (the beginning class for online students), I am a member of the Adult Learning Council, and I am a member of the Non-Traditional Student Union.  Life's great at Creighton, whether you are a traditional student who lives in a dorm or a non-traditional student who lives and works off campus. I just can't say enough good about Creighton and the many people there who have helped me in so many ways.

One day in January as I was headed for class, I stopped at Starbuck's in the Skutt Center for a cup of coffee. A table was set up displaying study abroad opportunities by API Study Abroad (Academic Programs International). I stopped just to look at it, just out of curiosity with no intention of pursuing anything. One of API's Regional Directors, Jason Kouba, was manning the table. Jason has a wonderful way of connecting with people. He did not make a sales pitch, we simply visited about his travels and experiences. I didn't really give it any more thought until some later when I emailed him. Jason, however, apparently sensed that I was more interested than I realized. When I emailed him, he had already mentioned to the Creighton Global Engagement Office that I might be a potential study abroad student. Somehow it all fell into place very quickly, thanks to the special efforts of Christine Billings, Director of the College of Professional Studies, Amy Gillaspie, and Krista Cupich, my advisor from the GEO. 

Because I began the process later than normal, having only one year left before graduating, I was very fortunate to meet all of the deadlines and requirements in time. Special thanks goes to Christine Billings, Director of the College of Professional Studies, Amy Gillaspie, and Krista Cupich, my advisor at the GEO.  If you are considering studying abroad, begin the process as early as possible. Talk with your advisor, and if you are a traditional age student, talk with your family, and the study abroad office which at Creighton is the Global Engagement Office. There are different options for study abroad programs. A student can go on a Creighton faculty-led program or with a company that partners with the university such as API Abroad. There are numerous other opportunities such as mission trips that the Global Engagement Office can also discuss if you are interested in that.

One more thing: I will be at NUI, National University of Ireland, Galway. So stay tuned for what is sure to be a great adventure!