Study Abroad - Irish abroad

After spending some time in a foreign land, people start to develop the native accent. To my horror, it happened to me after my co-op placement in Cork, but it’s not going to happen in Newfoundland. I’m going to come home from here with the strongest, most exaggerated Irish accent imaginable. It really is a joy being a proper Paddy in an Island full of fifth and sixth generation Irish.

My big culchie accent, which is mocked by friends in Dublin and Cork, is cooed at over here. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been asked to talk more during nights out.  It’s a great talking point. Most of the people go on to say that they’re part Ireland and how they’d love to go back to Ireland, talking as if they’re bona fide Irish. I’m still getting a kick out of it and I don’t think the novelty value will go any time soon.

One night I met a lad who claims he’s a proud Limerick man, despite the fact he never left Newfoundland in his life. He almost cried when I told him that I study in Limerick and demanded I tell him every detail about the Treaty City. He told me that his father moved from Limerick because it was too dangerous, which I didn’t buy for a second. I chatted to him for a total of five minutes before he asked me if I wanted to buy some Grade A drugs. It was around that time that I faked a call and left him. Every proper Irish person I’ve met since has offered me the same. It’s slightly suspicious.

The best thing I’ve encountered so far is, of course, in the pubs around St John’s. In my first month here, I’ve been given four free double whiskeys from friendly bartenders, just because I’m a proper Irish person. This is something that I could get used to.  It’s all part of some of the bizarre initiation ceremonies that take place in Newfoundland.

All I can say is roll on Paddy’s Day!

Study Abroad - Irish abroad

Study abroad - Weather

Remember how a little bit of snow and ice brought Dublin to a standstill a few months ago. If that much snow landed in Newfoundland, people would still be out in shorts and t-shirts. When it comes to weather, these people are some of the toughest I’ve ever seen.

In my first few days here, the weather was fine. There was no snow, no ice and certainly no wind.  This was surprising, because one month before I left Ireland, Newfoundland was hit by a major hurricane. The hurricane closed down the campus for a few days, but nothing that these hardy Newfies couldn’t shrug off.  However, it was the winter season they were dreading, and winter is only just starting here.

The first major snowstorm came out of nowhere and covered the city within minutes. I’m around 5foot6 and the snow easily engulfed my feel and, in parts, nearly reached my knees. I learned very fast to use the university’s underground tunnels.

I can deal with the major snow. It’s still a novelty to me and makes the city look stunning. What I hate is the icy snow. You see, when heavy amounts of snow gets trampled on, rained on and then frozen, it turns into this evil, horribly slippery substance. I’ve fell over multiple times on it and it doesn’t cushion a fall like snow.

The wind here is also the strongest I’ve ever felt. It’s like walking straight into a tornado. The only benefit to it is how nice it is to listen to when wrapped up in bed. Trying to get to class in strong winds, and -24 degrees chill does not make a particularly enjoyable experience.

It’s all something I have to get used to. The winter season isn’t over here by a long shot. Global warming, my arse!

As printed in An Focal

Study abroad - Weather

Basic voting right denied

For three weeks now I have been avidly following the decline of Fianna Fail. I watched as Cowen tried to hold on to his position before giving up. I’ve noticed what TDs have made it public that they want to take his place and I’ve shrugged with indifference as Enda Kenny tries to make Fine Gael more accessible to people my age. But I, an Irish citizen, cannot vote on March 11.
For the last three weeks I have been living in Newfoundland, Canada, on mandatory study abroad placement from the University of Limerick. I’ve called my local TDs to see if I can vote from Canada and, alas, I cannot. I will only be gone four months in total and one of my basic rights as a citizen has been taken away from me.
It seems that people can vote from various places around the world, but Newfoundland, which is home to many Irish citizens with dual citizenship, is not one of them. I was contemplating for a while on whether it was at all possible to return for polling day, but it really isn’t. As a fan of the drama that is Irish politics, I am absolutely disgusted that the Government hasn’t made exceptions to help people in my situation vote. I just hope that people who are luckily enough to vote in this important election make the most of it.

Basic voting right denied

The Newfoundland snow

Here are just a few of the pictures I took of Newfoundland's first snow storm of the winter season. I'm told they're just going to get worse. I'll be there with my camera!










So today was the first big snowstorm in St. John's, Newfoundland. A journey that normally only takes me five minutes took me around 15 and I was absolutely saturated from head to toe. Here are some of the pictures I took on my iPhone.
You think you know snow, Ireland. THIS is snow...

The Newfoundland snow

Study Abroad - Moving

THERE are some things that you pray will never happen to you when you move country. You pray that the flights will be peaceful and that everything will run smoothly. Well, that’s what I did, but it seems the fates had different plans for me. My four month stay in Newfoundland, Canada, where I am currently studying arts kicked off with proving Murphy’s Law correct. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Well, the start was actually quite pleasant. Continental Airlines managed to accidentally book me into first class, where I enjoyed an eight hour flight with delicious food, new movies and reclining seats. That’s where the daydream stopped.
Once we arrived in Newark, I found that my connecting flight kept getting delayed, until it was ultimately cancelled. I rushed over to get in front of the line for free accommodation in New York for the night, so I could wake up fresh for the new flight in the morning.
Luckily, the rescheduled flight went ahead. Unluckily, all my bags and the bags of all the flyers, were left in Newark. It took four days to get all my bags sent to me, and I was in first class.. Then the worst thing happened. I got stopped at customs and questioned over the validity of my stay.
I was hauled into interrogation, where I was locked into a room with a policewoman, who asked for proof of my intention to study. Thank God for my iPhone. I managed to email all I needed to her from my phone and went on my less-than-merry way.
They say that bad things come in threes, and with cancelled flights, lost luggage and angry guards, I’m inclined to believe them. But things can only get better, right?

Printed in An Focal - January 2011

Study Abroad - Moving