This post was written by students Evie and Logan. A big shout out to them for offering to write the first blog post! — Maggie, Chris, & Banseok

After meeting and bonding at EWR, followed by a six-hour flight to Dublin, we were all quiet and exhausted as we rode the bus from the airport to the city. We dropped off our bags at the hostel and walked into an Irish cafe for breakfast. There we had an assortment of croissants, scones, pastries, and full Irish breakfasts.

Our leaders brought us to an old town square with lucky green grass and a serendipitous fountain. There, we shared a moment of serenity during a writing exercise for which the only sounds that could be heard were our moving pens and chirping seagulls.

Afterward, we began our orientation in a 200-year-old Catholic Church. We got to know each other over Skittles and icebreakers. We met a local who was more than passionate about the historic church and was pleased to fill us in on the details.

We split into small groups for our first full meal of the day.

We then came back to our hostel and settled in with our new roommates. We went out to dinner in a cute old-fashioned Irish pub in Temple Bar. Subsequently, our leaders took us out for delicious gelato and concluded our night with a relaxed nightly debrief.

We are thrilled for the adventures that await!

— Evie & Logan