Final Reflections ... #IRELANDSWAGOVERLOAD

Before leaving Texas, I anticipated that this trip would the first and last time I visit Ireland. I'm not sure why, but I wasn't expecting that there would be much to this tiny island.

Just as winter gloom gives way to sunshine in the spring, each passing day here seems to be more radiant than the last. Ireland is full of surprises: rolling hills of emerald, babbling brooks, cliffs careening up from the ocean, enchanting castles and even hidden nightclubs that should only exist in movies.

As my time here comes to a close, its pretty safe to say that I was all wrong about this place. I will definitely be back here again.

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Last night, all of the international students on University College Dublin's campus were invited to a barbeque that included a traditional Irish dancing demonstration. Of course my friend Sarah and I volunteered to showcase our moves. What'd you expect? #SWAG

In any case, I thought that it would be a nice to interview a few Americans on how they were feeling about their Irish study abroad experience. I approached a random table of people and here's what ensued:

I discuss studying abroad in Ireland with a few Texas A&M Aggies I met at UCD.

Well, there you have it: even Aggies will agree that Ireland is quite the enjoyable place to study abroad.

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In all seriousness, I really enjoyed myself here, if that wasn't already obvious. A big part of this great experience has been getting to know my PR 348 classmates and professor, Dr. Dave Junker, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

We experienced a lot together these past few weeks, and in turn, we learned a lot about ourselves, society and (even) global marketing/public relations.

The University of Texas at Austin 2011 Maymester in Ireland 'gang' stands outside of Carr Communications in Dublin after our meeting with managing director Tony Hughes.

Left to Right: (first row) Dr. Dave Junker, Carla Garces, Claire Battafarano, Sinead Hultman, Lauren Jones, Sapna Patel, Calvin Berman and Sarah Holub

(second row) Kaitlyn Howell, Stephanie Mejia and Caitlin Perdue

(third row) Shanna Oatman, Casey Kelly, Megan Plunkett and Hooff Cooksey

An afternoon in the life of an American in Dublin

Author James Joyce is among the most celebrated literary figures in contemporary Irish culture and his novel Ulysses, published in 1922, is among the most studied works in literary history. The story's plot centers on a day in the life of its protagonist Leopold Bloom as he navigates Dublin's streets.

Thursday, June 16, 2011, is Bloomsday here in Ireland, a day-long festival commemorating Joyce and his literary and cultural contributions. This post pays humble homage to Joyce's contributions to Irish culture by offering a sort of "afternoon in the life" perspective of an experience I had in Dublin.

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I was out for a stroll yesterday in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin's version of Central Park, when I noticed some ducks, innocently swimming in a pond. I started laughing out loud as I recalled a scene from the movie "About A Boy," in which a boy throws a loaf of stale bread at some sunbathing ducks, accidentally killing one.

It then struck me that, ever since I arrived in Ireland, I've been finding humor in the most random, unexpected places. This led me to the realization that the world is so much funnier and more interesting to me when I am not consumed by work, exams and the trials and tribulations of everyday life back home.

I've come to admire the Irish ability to savor life as it comes, regardless of the troubles that accompany it. As I glanced around the park, I noticed everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves: sitting on the grass, enjoying the summer sun, conversing and laughing with each other.

"If this is my perception of the Irish, I wonder what the Irish think of Americans," I say to myself. So, I decide to go up to the first group of young people I could find and ask them.

Here is the recorded conversation I had with a few Irish students I'd met in the park.

Although these students may not sound like they would be friendly to the average American, take my word for it: they were very hospitable. I was just a stranger who approached them in the park and badgered them for almost 10 minutes, yet they welcomed me like an old friend!

As I left the park that day, I thought about the differences between what these students had told me and what other Americans might say about the Irish. Then, my attention span gave way to a grumbling stomach as I imagined what I might be eating for dinner.

Stay tuned for next week's interview!

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The feedback I'm getting on my blogs has been great so far! Feel free to continue to reach out to me however you'd like (Facebook, BBM and e-mail are all good options). I'm especially curious about what people have to say about the videos I've attached.

words can't even begin to describe this.

To be perfectly honest, words cannot describe the natural beauty that I have experienced since I've been here.

But, I'll give it a try; seeing, watching and breathing in the Irish greenery has been MAAGGGGGNIIIFFIIICENNNTTTT!!!!

There were times when I was wholly captivated by my surroundings, my brain almost unable to process what my eyes were witnessing, almost like this guy in Yosemite, California.

In case that description's not enough for you, check out the pictures and videos below. Keep in mind, as gorgeous as these photos are, they don't do this countryside justice.

Glendalough (Saturday, May 28, 2011)

The name means "glen of two lakes" in Gaelic, the indigenous language of Ireland.

For every hill, forest and pathway we traversed, I felt as though I was being transported to a world of hobbits living happily and humbly in their Shire. Although I didn't run into any strange creatures, this must have been the type of setting that influenced Tolkien.

Hooff Cooksey and I stand beside a waterfall that cascades just off a walkway in Glendalough.

Credit: Lauren Jones

Lauren Jones and I "prom pose" from atop a hill in Glendalough, overlooking the Upper Lake.

Credit: Casey Kelly

Professor Dave Junker and I "prom pose" from atop a hill in Glendalough, overlooking the Upper Lake.

Credit: Lauren Jones

I stand at the Upper Lake shoreline at Glendalough.

Credit: Hooff Cooksey

Connemara National Park (Friday, June 3, 2011)

Imagine falling asleep on a bus in a metropolis, with its grey streets, low-slung smog, and hustle and bustle. Then, you wake up to verdancy so vibrant that you can't help but let out a sigh of wondrous contentment as you come to the realization that things this beautiful actually exist.

Thanks to Paddywagon Tours, I was able to travel to Connemara National Park and The Cliffs of Moher (see further down below) on the western coast of Ireland and take in views that would rival those of Yosemite and The Grand Canyon. Enjoy the pictures and video below, but keep in mind, they don't do the settings justice.

A few of my Maymester classmates and I pose along a Connemara lake, surrounded by bog.

From Left to Right: (Standing) Me, Stephanie Mejia, Kaitlyn Howell, Hooff Cooksey,

(Sitting) Casey Kelly and Megan Plunkett

Credit: random traveler

I stand with Kylemore Abbey in the background. In Irish, the prefixes "kyle" or "kill" mean "church."

Credit: Hooff Cooksey

Cliffs of Moher (Saturday, June 4, 2011)

"wow"

Hooff Cooksey sits on the edge of a 600-foot cliff, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Credit: Me

Hooff Cooksey, Stephanie Mejia, Megan Plunkett and I take in the views from about 700 feet.

Credit: Chinese tourist

I stand atop the highest, most remote section of the cliffs that I could find and pray that the winds stay calm.

Credit: Hooff Cooksey

Why Am I Here?

So, while they've got us here (15 strangers coming together under one roof...), we will help the Irish government education agency, Education in Ireland, market study abroad opportunities in this country to American students. Today we met with its consulting firm, Zinc to get a better understanding of the agency's branded approach.

Among many other things, Zinc recently led Education in Ireland through a massive brand overhaul, changing its name, logo and tagline. The firm also refined its approach to the target market.

I look forward to contributing to these efforts in hopes of creating an even stronger and more relevant marketing campaign (Ireland is currently the ninth most popular study abroad destination for Americans).

What's most exciting is that there are so many potential targets which Education in Ireland can cater to. This includes undergraduate and graduate students, students who want to work towards an Irish degree and those who are here for only short period of time.

As an American undergraduate with many friends currently studying abroad, or planning to do so, I feel I have developed a pretty good sense of what us "Yankees" are looking for. What Americans are looking for is immersion. We want culture. We want history. Yes, we want to party too. Most of all, we want a worthwhile, memorable experience.

After staying here just for a week, I can attest to Ireland having all of these things. I've toured Christ Church Cathedral. I've eaten in a pub that was founded 800 years ago. I've enjoyed myself in the Temple Bar (see video below) area and at infamous clubs like Copper's.

The challenge will be translating these rich cultural experiences into marketable items that will appeal to Americans: a task my classmates and I welcome in these coming weeks.

(Me showcasing my moves in Dublin's Temple Bar area on May 31, 2011)