Glendalough

Friday I woke up early (feeling like P. Diddy, of course) and ventured to Glendalough with a big group of Dublin Business School (DBS) and European Business School (EBS) students. The group was comprised of about 80 German/French students and approximately six Americans. I loved it!

It's been years since I've really gotten to socialize with European students (except for the wonderful French exchange students I've met at Winthrop!) so I was really excited for this opportunity.

Luckily, I'm taking a number of classes through EBS so many of my classes are also filled with both French and German students so I knew a good bit of them before the trip.

Once we boarded the bus, I sat next to my friend Michael (from Germany) and Britta (also from Germany). On the way we chatted about different social scenes in our respective countries, social norms, our courses of study, and the differences/similarities between German and American school systems.

I found the discussion on educational differences the most interesting. Basically, in many European countries, (Germany included) the students pay much less to attend a university as compared to America. About $18,000 less when compared to Winthrop.

For example, Michael pays about 500 euro per semester (about $750) to receive a higher education. Due to the low cost of higher education, many German students choose to stay in school much longer than in America. Some will spend 7-9 years in university trying out different classes and figuring out what career suits them. Costs will increase, however, once the 7-8 year mark hits.

After a bumpy 30 minute bus ride, we arrived at our destination. Many of the students on the trip (myself included) were incredibly car sick from the bus ride to Glendalough so once the bus stopped we rushed out the door and into the fresh air.

We were then taken on a 20-minute introductory tour of the old monastery, the graveyard and a view of the valley.

A little background:

Glendalough was once an old monastery where monks and various families would go for religious solitude or simply as a place escape the throws of everyday life. And I can see why. The place is gorgeous beyond belief, and the monastery is combination of magic and serenity unlike any other place I've been. They say visiting Glengalough 7 times is the religous equivalency of visiting Rome once. I plan to get my money's worth while in Ireland, haha.

After our introduction, a group of us ventured on the color-coded "green" walking path ("green" meaning easy and short) which led to a stunning view of one of the lakes of Wicklow.

I think the walk to the view was the most fun. The whole hour was spent walking uphill and getting to know one another between gasps for air.

The French students were hilarious (my roommate Magali was with our group as well!) and we ended up taking an "alternate route! up a very dangerous and steep part of the mountain.

We are better people for it, haha.

I also had a nice 30 minute conversation getting to know Michael and Britta. They are really great people and I learned alot about their lives within that short amount of time.

Finally, after walking uphill for a solid 45 minutes, we reached the view of the lake, had a photoshoot and made our way back down.

Again, the conversation flowed easily and I had a great conversation with another German student about what classes we are taking, what classes are offered in America, etc.

We then had another photoshoot in front of the lake before boarding the bus to go home.

Naturally, I fell asleep on the bus, but I woke up just as we arrived back in Dublin.

I have to say, I had a really great time on the Glendalough trip and I hope to go back again and spend more time in the area. The view was beautiful, the weather was perfect and the conversation could not have been better!

Will work on getting those pictures soon.

Cheers!