BEING AN EXCHANGE STUDENT IN DUBLIN

Hello, everyone!

My friends who I met in Dublin know I like writing and I have a Turkish blog already. However, I've been waiting for having an English blog as well but didn't feel prepared. Now, I feel ready to write something in English and I want to describe my feelings about Dublin after almost a year.

After living for eight months in Dublin, I've realized that it is not just a country I came in order to improve my English. I've also created a life here, I think I have a second home with my friends and memories we have together. On the other hand, the best part of being an exchange student abroad is to improve your way of thinking. I know that I won't be the same person after I had this experience. As we met people from different countries here, I've learned everyone comes from a different background but everyone is at the same time, human. Everyone has similar ideas and feelings in similar situations. Unfair treatments make them mad, love makes them happy or funny moments make them laugh. It is not about where you come from, it is about what kind of person who you are? If you are kind to one another, If you are fair, If you care about others' feelings; you will be an amazing friend and can create a home wherever you go.

It was really hard for me at first without my family and friends/ After a while, I started to have amazing moments with incredible people and started to enjoy my time here instead of language education. I have also built long-lasting friendships. I believe in future maybe not soon but one day in the future we'll see each other again in another location and have unforgettable memories.

There is also another reason I like Ireland so much, nature is amazing there. There are lots of parks with full of green and it is really peaceful to go them and just chill out with a cup of coffee and your favorite book/ Due to us not having enough green areas in Turkey, having these places was really precious to me. Okay, maybe it is not fair to make a generalization about the whole country but especially in big cities like Istanbul, too hard to find a place to rest or have fresh air. In Dublin, you can also find these parks maybe in 10 or 15 min, because they are really well located downtown. However, in Istanbul, it takes maybe one hour to go there. As you can imagine, it is not worth it.

On the whole, then, I just want to say that I am so thankful for all my friends whether from South Korea, Brazil or somewhere else. You might not know how essential your friendship has been to me, but it would have been unbearable to stay alone there that long if I hadn't had you.

Cheers, like an Irish!