The Cultural Ambassador Society presented its first 2019 fall semester event on October 29. Shea Sheridan, a fourth year Global Studies major, graced us with his experiences of studying abroad at the University of Limerick in Ireland.
Shea joined CAS after learning about the club from NVU-Lyndon’s Spring Involvement Fair, which took place shortly after he returned to the states. After some encouragement from CAS club members, Shea was invited to put on a presentation about his semester abroad.
To begin, Shea explained how his travels came to be. One semester, Shea shared with his professor, Paul Searls, that he had Irish roots and had always wanted to visit the land his family came from. His grandparents emigrated here from Ireland, and with Professor Searls’ unrelenting motivation, Shea became the first member of his family to travel back to Ireland!
Shea chose the University of Limerick because it has a wonderful history program, not to mention, Professor Seals was one of the first American students to attend Limerick in the 1970’s. When Shea stayed in London for his first week, he wasn’t fully prepared for the fast-paced lifestyle. His journey eventually took him to the university where he quickly made friends, and friends from all over the world, at that! The University of Limerick is well noted for its international student population, so Shea felt welcomed and at home.
There were many fascinating places and stories Shea experienced in between his studies. Visiting Belfast was of particular excitement. There, Shea got to walk through the historic Titanic Museum, “it was pretty amazing to be in the same place the Titanic was built, knowing it was an engineering feat for the time, so getting to be there made me appreciate what the entire town of Belfast accomplished even more.”
As to not leave out any relevant stories, Shea showed us pictures of the famed Dark Hedges in Antrim, also known as Kingsroad from Game of Thrones. An equally famous location was Giant’s Causeway, named after the myth about an out-smarted ferocious giant.
Many cultural aspects of Shea’s travels lent to some of his learning experiences. In particular, he found visiting the Aran Islands off the southwest coasts where he got to see firsthand the traditional thatch rooftops of Irish homes was an experience. Shea shared that these roofs are often at risk of catching fire, so the Cross of Saint Brigid is often found within homes as both a warning of caution when maintaining fireplaces in the home and a symbol of protection.
Perhaps the most treasured memory Shea will hold in his heart will be his time spent with Sean Ryan in his home of Leap Castle. Sean Ryan is a famed historian of folklore and myth; in the 1990’s he purchased the once fallen and haunted Leap Castle and since then, he has been rebuilding it. To help make this possible, Sean invites travelers to his castle for tea, stories, a warm fire, and sometimes a place to rest their weary heads. Shea and his family became very fond of Sean, who Shea now calls a wizard. “He is truly a unique man,” Shea says, “he has restored his castle in the most unique way—when the walls speak to him, he listens, and then he builds.”
In closing, Shea shared with us the reasons students should consider studying abroad if they have the opportunities. “Junior year is the best time,” Shea reports. “You’ve accomplished many core and general ed classes, and you’re not at your final year with so much to work on.” Shea can’t wait to return to the beautiful Galway coasts, the famed fish ‘n chips, and all the other wonders his homeland of Ireland has to offer.
All photos are provided by Sabra Anne Bronwen.