Day 1 - Maynooth

Touched down to a cool but sunny Dublin this morning.  Customs consisted of a simple information card with no baggage check or even presentation of baggage claim ticket.  Then, it was a long walk in the ample terminal, and then a long walk outside to the hopper bus area.  And, me with the retracting handle on my luggage stuck in the retracted mode. 

Now I know what parking disks are, as I had seen them mentioned on a website.  They are round printed parking passes that are displayed in a plastic sleeve on the windshield (or should I write windscreen?).

Prices for food and clothes seem reasonable, even somewhat lower for some items than those at home.  Books and housing seem significantly more to me than back home.  I do see why they say the U.S. lags behind other European countries, as there are entire leveled books on various subjects devoted to the Irish standardized exams, and these look quite rigorous.  Additionally, they have review booklets of formulas and kits of math tools for sale as well.

Our contact, Elaine, at Maynooth University said that they partner with over 150 institutions in Europe and possibly 60 or so in the U.S. to host students studying at Maynooth for study aboard programs coordinated through their original school.  She said they do not send many of their students abroad, however, mostly due to cost.  Additionally, Maynooth University has about 35% faculty and staff from other countries, making them quite diverse and international.  In fact, they were just ranked above their peers in diversity, Elaine said.

First Posting

My second blog and my name was still available!  Very exciting.

My journey continues with a third year of coursework in the four-year Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  This fall, I have the opportunity to explore higher education in Ireland by interning in the Chaplaincy Department of Maynooth University for two weeks.

I am expecting the biggest differences between Maynooth and Wilmington to be in the language (both British English and Gaelic), antiquity of the buildings (a brief Google search of Friends Schools brought up one that was founded in 1669, for example), reverse driving patterns, and drizzly climate. 

I imagine the Irish will be welcoming, relaxed yet polite, at home in both urban and rural settings, connected with their history of place, and shaped by the Catholic faith.

I have already exchanged money through AAA and see that the € 5 is physically smaller than the € 10, which is physically smaller than the € 20.  The banknotes are colorful—or should I write colourful—which is something U.S. bills lack.  They are unified in that each depicts an historical architectural style of Europe’s past—€ 5 is Classical; € 10 is Romanesque; € 20 is Gothic—an arch window or entrance on the front and a multiple arched bridge on the back—providing the symbolism of overarching cultural unity and bridging of the European nations. 

I imagine that living arrangements will be more collegiate than my suburban townhouse, as I will be residing in a dorm with another intern.  I imagine that things will be just different enough as to make a lasting impression on my mind and seem like life is slowing down.  I imagine commercialism will be lessened and there will be more independent and private enterprises compared to the U.S.

I am excited about meeting and collaborating with colleagues at Maynooth University and assisting in whatever pastoral care projects the Chaplaincy Department has planned.  I am also excited about discussing issues we each face at our institutions as well as best practices in addressing them.