Fáilte go Corcaigh! Welcome to Cork! My name is Erin O’Donovan, and I am a junior Political Science major minoring in Environmental Studies and Geoscience currently studying abroad in Cork, Ireland. I am very excited to tell you all about my journey abroad!
Cork is located in the south of Ireland. It is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, after Dublin. Cork is a vibrant city full of amazing food (It is the food capital of the country), lots of colleges, and so much craic! (craic= the Irish word for fun!) Immersion in the Irish culture is highly accessible in Cork, as you can find the culture everywhere! We have it all, from nights of traditional music (ceol in Irish) to mornings of a full Irish breakfast!
While living in Cork, we study at University College Cork, or UCC. At UCC, you can take a plethora of courses offered to visiting students, from Ice Age Geomorphology to an Irish language course! (Both of which I am taking this semester!) Your classes will consist of Irish students and other visiting students from all over the world!
Cork is an amazing place to live in Ireland, allowing access to other parts of the country! Located in County Cork, we have many amazing places around us. Kinsale, Cobh, Blarney (Yes, where you can kiss the Blarney stone), and Clonakilty are only a few of the other towns and villages surrounding us. If you want to see some of the natural beauty of Ireland, West Cork is known for its landscapes and neighboring counties, Kerry and Clare (where Galway is located). And Dublin is only a train ride away! Between the easily accessible buses, trains, and planes (as Cork has an airport), Cork is the gateway to the rest of Ireland and the world!
Cork truly is a fantastic place to study abroad. Follow along my blog to see what my experience and my adventures have been like!
Slán! (Goodbye!)
Erin
