A day in Ireland could change your life...

My favorite day in Ireland was a little windy, a little sunny and day that will stay with me forever. It was a day during my program's creative writing retreat, which was at the Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in County Cork. The Lodge was a seaside oasis just steps from soft, pale sands and calm, sparkling waters. And mornings there began with an Irish breakfast of eggs, sausage, black and white pudding, potatoes, and a cup of tea, before it was time for class.

We had our creative writing classes in a conference-like room that was perpetually filled with natural light and a salty sea breeze that slipped through the open windows. We wrote freely, creating stories and memories alike as we spent time pondering the idea of "renewal."

This retreat, which was planned by my creative writing instructor, was a weekend of creativity, intellectual and literary discussion and exploring. The environment was like a photographer or painter's dream -- I was mesmerized by the harmonious scenery of soft acrylic blues and greens that appeared more like a fairytale setting than a visitable place in Ireland.

It was this moment in time that caused me to become overwhelmingly grateful for choosing IES as my study abroad program. And since that day, after taking photos, writing stories, meeting other people staying at the lodge, and sitting on the beach talking to my classmates, who I could happily call friends at that point, I came to realize how important travel is to me and just how much I enjoy meeting new people.

The IES staff in Dublin truly cared about creating a safe, comfortable environment for us students to bond and assimilate into our host community. They planned frequent events for us at the IES Center, with the first taking place during week one. They welcomed us with tea, little sandwiches, pastries, and an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves. And the IES staff also took us on well-planned excursions around Ireland that left me feeling connected and a little whimsical -- I still vividly remember the time I made my own soda bread and milked a cow.

It was a beautiful and unforgettable adventure that I guarantee you would love too. And IES Abroad won't let you down.

Thanks for reading, and good luck on your future journey abroad.

A fellow traveler and dreamer,
Christena