I have officially been a student at the University College Cork for 1.5 months with two weeks of real classes under my belt! Go me! The first two weeks have been overwhelming, disorganized, and sleepless. Starting off the school year after a night in the airport probably wasn't the best way to set myself up for success, but it was entirely worth it.
Even though Ireland is an English speaking country that I thought would basically be a lot like the States because almost everyone I know is "Irish," and while it isn't as different as say a non-catholic country, an American entering the Irish school system is a recipe for culture shock! My first week of school was full of professors not showing up for classes, classes being listed in the wrong room, and powerpoints getting the better of people with PhDs.
Classes start whenever the professor arrives, usually about 10 minutes later than the actual start time. They enter silently, set up the computer, and just start talking and keep going without acknowledging when the class is actually listening. The first announcement made in each of my classes went something like this. "The lecture notes will be available on blackboard (online class resource database), but you really should come to class." I should come to class? I can't imagine not coming to class?! Irish students receive a free college education and therefore have less than stunning attendance. But really, who could blame them? From here, the professor mentions that the syllabus is available on blackboard, unfortunately the syllabus online is from 2007 and says that the my final exam is on February 12th, 2007!
The extremely laid-back attitude of the education system (college, at least) reflects the general Irish tendency to not get too caught up in or stressed about anything, a trait I could definitely benefit from! Other than the disorganization, the professors just seems less happy to be in class and are full of anti-American comments! It's pretty interesting to see the Irish perspective of the United States because they, as a whole, are an extremely friendly and open people, but still make snide comments about the United States and our inability to accept the views of others as valid, see the world beyond our boarders, and share the wealth. All things that I agree are the main flaws of the States and I would agree whole-heartily that these things need to change, but I still found myself getting mildly offended! If I were bold I would want to stand up and say, "What about all the good things we do? Nobody is perfect, but appreciate all we've done!" Something these comments have made me think about: are the sneaky and selfish things we do outweighed by the advances we have made? This especially coming from the perspective of public health, which is the focus of almost all of my classes.
Speaking of classes, I absolutely LOVE all of mine. Sure, I feel asleep during two of them last week, but that was after a long night out and during one of my four hour days! Here are my classes:
1. Nutrition: macronutrients
2. Nutrition: vitamins and minerals
3. Microbiology: transmission and epidemiology of infectious disease
4. Music: intro to Irish traditional music
5. Sociology: health and the body
6. Public health: public health and health promotion
and last, but not least, I am starting fiddle lessons tomorrow! Look at me getting back to my Irish roots choosing a pint of Guinness in a pub, taking fiddle lessons, and walking quickly and everywhere! However, you will never use the words grand, veg, or craic! Craic=fun or the happening, as in "What's the craic, lads?" or "It's great craic!"
Other weird things Irish people say?
-"t" instead of "th" as in 33 1/3=tirty tree and one tird, or thank you=tank you.
-the letter H as "hay-ch"
-veg instead of vegetables
-crips instead of chips
-chips instead of fries
-naggin to describe a small bottle of vodka
-More to come, I'm sure!
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