Jacob Richards | Spring 2024
Hello again from Dublin, Ireland. Sitting down to write my last post from this country I can’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful, dominated by exam preparation and the bittersweet reality of my impending departure.
The exam period at University College Dublin (UCD) has been a unique experience. Unlike UTK where exams are typically held in standard classrooms and proctored by our professors and TAs, UCD’s exams take place in vast halls. Imagine over 1,000 students from various majors, all gathered to take their respective exams! The sheer scale of it was daunting.
Studying for my exams was no small feat. My social life took a backseat as I buried myself in lecture notes and lab reports. The extended study period before finals was a blessing, providing ample time to focus on each subject without the constant pressure of attending classes. However, it also meant that the bustle of campus life I had become accustomed to became eerily quiet. The lively chatter of students gave way to hushed tones in the library and study spaces, the only places where you could find a large gathering of students.
Despite the stress, I found solace in the rhythm of preparation and the occasional study break. My friends and I would sometimes gather for group study sessions, offering each other moral support and a reminder that you aren’t alone.
Once the exams were over, I only had a couple of days to pack my things and prepare for my flight back home. It was a sad and rushed final week, filled with the dual pressure of exams and the realization that my time in Ireland was coming to an end. I managed to squeeze in one last outing for a friend’s birthday party. It was a much-needed relief after the grueling exam period and a perfect way to say goodbye to the friends I had made here.
As I reflect on these past few weeks, I realize that they were a microcosm of my entire study abroad experience – challenging yet rewarding, stressful with a few moments of joy. The campus, which once felt foreign, had become a second home.
Though this post may not be filled with the travel adventures and cultural discoveries of my previous entries, it captures an equally important part of my journey – the academic requirements of studying abroad. Preparing for and taking exams in a foreign university tested my resilience and adaptability in ways I did not expect.
As I prepare to leave Dublin, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to study abroad. The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, and the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me forever. Thank you for following along on my journey, and I look forward to reflecting on my time here after I arrive back in my home country.