Perspectives from the First Weekend in Dublin

20 Different Students Headed Off to 20 Different Homes

"After a night to myself I had breakfast with my host family and discussed the plans for the day. After this we visited the main shopping center in Dublin, Grafton Street. While we were there we got lunch, then continued our journey. This meant a quick trip to the Irish National Art Gallery then a tour next door to the Taoiseach (PM)’s office. Once the tour had concluded we headed to Phoenix Park, where we ran into a few other exchange pairs. We then took a bus and finished our day with a tour of the President’s House (which looked similar to the White House). At sundown we went to a Rugby Match between an Italian and Irish team. The game ended in a draw, which was a bit disappointing."
--Danny Knowles

"The first weekend was spent getting settled in and trying our best to ward off the jet lag. Personally, I spent my first day of the weekend at a place called Tayto Park, and I'm not sure if I speak for everyone else, but I can certainly say I had never been to a potato chip themed amusement park before! It was like Canobie Lake Park if it was sponsored by the biggest "crisps" company in Ireland. The second biggest wooden rollercoaster in Europe is there and we also got a look inside the factory where they make the potato chips. On Sunday I went out with my host brother and his dad and uncle and played a game I had never heard of, footgolf. It's essentially soccer meets golf. Kick the ball into the hole, and fewest kicks wins. Well I knew I would certainly lose because soccer and golf are coincidentally the two sports I am decidedly the worst at, but I ended up winning! Surprisingly enough despite being terrible at both soccer and golf. I was then introduced to my host brother's grandmother and aunt and was welcomed with open arms. We went back home and that about wrapped up the first weekend. "
--Drew Silvernail



When the boys returned to school on Monday, we asked them about their first impressions of Dublin. The first five responses were all about food!! Spice bags, sunday roasts, soda bread, black pudding--potatoes this way and potatoes that way and did I mention the potatoes!!

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