We safely landed back in the States Friday evening, June 3rd, about 6:30pm. I really hated to leave Ireland. The trip was amazing! After we left Dublin and started exploring the rest of the country (Carrigaline, County Cork, Cobh, Galway, Aran Islands, and so on) I really got a feel for Irish culture. I actually played some tunes with a few guys on the street and sat in on a session in Galway. The Aran Islands were absolutely beautiful and I loved Galway!

I learned a lot about teaching abroad. You really have to think fast and make changes if need be. When you travel with a large group things do not always go the way you want them to either. I am looking forward to reading what my students put together for their final projects. We had a wide range of opportunities to explore Irish culture and everyone picked something different to research. I think everyone learned a great deal while having a great experience at the same time.

I am truly still in awe of Ireland and I will go back – hopefully to teach again. I think that I would adjust the course to concentrate more of the history of women and the women’s movement more than popular culture though. I find it intriguing that women did not get the right to vote until 1972, yet the last two Presidents have been women (the first elected in 1991). So, why have we not had a female President? Is it our difference in political structure or is it oppression? Hummmmm…..

Anyway! For some photos visit My Albums

I will add more as they come in from students.