Galway: the cultural capital of Ireland

When I was looking into a study abroad program I already had my destination in mind. The program itself didn't matter as much to me, I just knew I wanted to go to Galway, Ireland. I had been to Ireland with my family in 2019 but we only spent half a day in Galway. I was drawn to the country by familial ties and because I fell in love with it on that family trip so many years ago. I specifically choose to go to Galway because I knew Dublin would be too big of a city for me, and I wanted to really experience the authentic Irish culture and lifestyle. Because I went into my study abroad program search already knowing exactly where I wanted to go, all the other aspects of the program were just added benefits.

I discovered the CEA CAPA Galway program from a CEA CAPA tabling event on the main walkway of my home university, the University of Tennessee. I had seen from a newsletter email that there would be study abroad information on Ped Walkway that day and since I still hadn't found which program I would go abroad with, I set out to do just that. I told the lady working the table about my interest in Ireland and she showed me a brochure that listed both Galway and Dublin as program destinations with CEA CAPA. This was the first time I had a seen a program for Galway, not just Dublin. She then went on to tell me about how CEA CAPA has a director on site at their program cities to guide the students and show them around. She told me how the programs include several excursions around the city and country. It all sounded perfect to me. Finally, the deal was sealed with a $1,000 flight voucher code on the brochure that I knew would be such a big help in financing my trip.

From the moment I decided to go abroad with CEA CAPA, the workers were nothing but friendly and helpful. I asked a million questions and they were always answered quickly and thoroughly. The application process was smooth and easy with the CEA CAPA workers there to help me. The program itself was a dream come true. Despite not knowing anyone in my program before getting there, I never felt alone or out of place. The CEA CAPA Galway Program Director, Thomas Fisher, was so welcoming and personally picked me up from the bus station after my flight got in late from weather delays. CEA CAPA set us up with housing a short walk from the University of Galway campus and from the city center. All seven of us in our program lived in the same flat and became fast friends. Thomas took us out to dinner and lunch in Galway and made sure we felt comfortable with the city. He took us to a Galway Gaelic Football game and took us on a trip to Dublin, the Aran Islands, and an overnight trip to Westport. I had the most amazing experience with CEA CAPA in Galway and truly cannot recommend this program enough.