Learning History at Malahide Castle

Author: Ria Collins | Majors: Political Science, Data Analytics | Semester: Summer 2023

I always knew studying abroad would be an adventure, but I never thought I would be jumping in a mud bog with ten other U of A students at a farm in Ireland. I was very hesitant to get muddy, but it was so much fun and an experience I’ll never forget. I chose to go on the U of A Faculty-led Business Seminar in Ireland because I wanted a study abroad experience beyond going to another country and sitting in a classroom. While I learned a lot in my lectures at the University College of Dublin, exploring Ireland with my classmates and professors taught me so much more.

This program advanced my academic and professional goals because it helped me develop a global perspective in accounting and general business that is essential for success in any field. Ireland has a diverse economy, and I was able to learn a lot about many of their exports from Guinness to wool. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a growing technology hub in the European Union. Many global tech corporations have their European headquarters in Dublin, including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, Apple, Paypal, and Airbnb. The diverse economy of Ireland taught me a lot about how businesses across different industries operate in the small country of Ireland and around the world. I also had the incredible opportunity to visit three of the Big Four accounting firms. These firms were PwC, EY, and Deloitte. During these visits, I learned about the different services each firm offers to their clients, big and small, how they work with the offices in the United States, and how accounting standards differ in Ireland and the European Union compared to the United States. Not only, did I learn more about accounting through these experiences, but I now have more clarity of what type of career in accounting I want to pursue. These experiences were very different from my classes at the U of A because they are more exploratory and immersive, but the things I saw helped me connect the content I learned in my classes back home to the real world. In addition to my immersive learning experience, I learned a lot from Professor Katie Terrell and Dr. Charles Leflar, who led the program, and their vast knowledge of Ireland from the culture and history to the economic landscape and natural beauty that defines the country.

Ireland has such a rich culture in and out of the city. In the city of Dublin, I experienced a vibrant tapestry of culture and history. I went to historical sites like Trinity College and Dublin Castle and learned about Dublin’s rich literary heritage and famous writers James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. My favorite thing to do in the city was walk down the cobblestone streets of Dublin and experience the hustle and bustle of the area, eat good food, and find live Irish music. I also loved trying ice cream from different shops all over Ireland. My classmates and I were particularly fond of an Irish ice cream shop called Murphy’s. They put traditional Irish flavors into ice cream with flavors like Brown Bread and Chocolate Whiskey and made some of the most unique and best ice cream I’ve ever had.

Outside of the city, I explored ancient ruins and castles and gained a deep appreciation for the historical significance that permeates every corner of Ireland. I now understand why the Irish are so proud of their country and respect resilience of the Irish people throughout their long and difficult history. I also discovered Ireland’s natural beauty at the majestic Cliffs of Moher and on the small island of Inishmore. The Irish landscape is like nothing I had ever seen before and definitely one to remember.

One of my favorite experiences was attending a traditional Irish house party where we ate Irish food and watched live performances of Irish music and Irish step dancing. I learned a lot about Irish culture through food, music, and just talking to locals. I also got to try new things like playing Irish games of football and hurling, making brown bread from scratch, and feeding and sheering sheep. While I was hesitant to step out of my comfort zone at times, my classmates and professors were extremely supportive and helped me overcome some of my fears.

Going to Ireland was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had so many amazing experiences and formed great friendships. I would recommend this program to all students in Walton College. The professors are very experienced and kind, and I learned a lot about Ireland and Europe as a whole. Just be ready to try anything and always carry a rain jacket. While in Ireland, I suggest trying all the ice cream you can because it is really is some of the best I’ve ever had.