Unpacking the Gifts of Study Abroad in Ireland

As I pack up my dorm room and take one last walk through Galway, I’m reflecting on more than just the items I’m cramming into my suitcase. This journey has left me with something intangible that will outlast souvenirs and photos. I thought the hardest part would be saying goodbye to Ireland, but in truth, the greater challenge has been returning home as a version of myself I’m still learning to explain—especially since home has changed, too.

Preparing to return

I was lucky to have my parents visit in late April and it was a breath of fresh air. We traveled around Galway and Dublin, caught up on each other’s lives, and goofed around. That visit made me realize just how much things have shifted. In the nearly five months I’ve been away, so much has changed—within my family, my city, even the country, politically, economically, and socially.I’m not returning to the same place I left in December.

To prepare, I’ve made a conscious effort to stay connected—texting and calling friends, keeping up with my home college through email and news. I know I can’t fully prepare for the adjustment and that’s okay. Studying abroad has given me tools to navigate change with confidence and clarity.

Learning to take up space

In Ireland, I spoke up in new ways—asking for help, asserting my needs, and making solo plans without overthinking them. A year ago, I might have hesitated or stayed quiet out of uncertainty. But I’ve learned that taking up space isn’t about being the loudest person in the room—it’s about believing I deserve to be there. That quiet confidence is something I’m proud to bring home, and I plan to carry it into classrooms, conversations, and everyday life.

Reframing first-gen identity

Before studying abroad, being a first-gen student often felt like a disadvantage. I saw it as something that made me different, like I was constantly trying to catch up. But being immersed in a diverse international community helped shift that perspective. I began to see my first-gen identity as a strength, not a gap. I’ve worked harder for every step, and that makes each milestone more meaningful.My resilience is rooted in that experience, and it’s something I carry with a bit more pride.

Redefining success

Studying abroad has also changed how I define success. I used to chase external validation—grades, approval, rigid plans. But abroad, I learned to trust myself more and let go of the need for constant validation. I didn’t come back with a five-year plan—and that’s okay. I gained a deeper sense of courage, a willingness to ask “what’s next?” without fear, and the freedom to imagine success on my own terms.

The best souvenir

The most valuable things I’ve brought home can’t be packed in a suitcase. I’m returning with a stronger mindset, deeper self-trust, and a voice that’s grown louder through experience. I came abroad searching for clarity and confidence, and I’ve found both—not by becoming someone else, but by growing more fully into myself. This journey didn’t change me—it gave me the space to thrive.

Alyssa H. | Trinity College, Connecticut | University of Galway Partnership, Ireland | Spring 2025