According to the study abroad program, DU advocates the idea that “the best way to understand another culture is to experience it, to connect with it for a prolonged period.”
Freshman Taylor Grogan fully adopted this sentiment after joining her boyfriend and his family on a summer trip to Ireland and Paris, where she observed ways of life enormously different than that of America.
For two and a half weeks, Grogan traveled all around Ireland, from Dublin to Kilkenny, to Cork and onto Cashel, finally arriving in rural Killarney. Having never before traveled internationally, she was astounded to find herself experiencing both the city and the countryside of such a different place.
By immersing herself in these foreign societies, Grogan arrived at several epiphanies and realizations about history and her fellow people.
“People in Dublin were having a hard time—worse than we are here in the U.S.–but they were very positive about it,” said Grogan. “They even made jokes about it.”
The sense of togetherness and optimism exhibited by the Irish during such an economically unstable time really stood out to Grogan.
“It was on everyone’s mind, but they knew they were going to get through it,” said Grogan. “They were all so educated about their own country’s politics as well as other countries’.”
After exploring the beautiful national forests, as well as the scenic, well-renowned Ring of Kerry and Torque Waterfall, Grogan’s troupe headed to Paris, France, where they spent the last two days of their European excursion.
Although her skills in French softened her sense of being foreign, her identity as an American still instigated an uncomfortable encounter with a pick pocketer. While outside of a museum, a young woman approached Grogan and her boyfriend. She picked up a ring off the ground and handed it to Grogan’s boyfriend before returning to ask for food and money. Meanwhile, another man attempted to gain access to Grogan’s purse.
Grogan considered herself spoiled on the trip, and she gained a better understanding and appreciation for cultures.
