I dream about studying abroad on practically a daily basis.
If my family could swing it, I would go for a full semester (or two) in order to explore the everyday nooks and crannies of my home away from home that make the incredible culture what it is. Ideally, my expeditions would center in Dublin and I would then venture out to take trips around the UK.
If you know me at all, you know that I have an obsession with Ireland. I love potatoes, Celtic folk music, the breathtaking landscapes, potatoes, and I am astounded by the artistic talents of those like Jonathan Swift, Seamus Heaney, and Oscar Wilde. (Did I mention potatoes?)
Here’s the thing, in addition to the foremost hurdle of finances, I am what you’d call a homebody. It comes with being a fair-skinned, socially anxious introvert. Just talking about the conflicting feelings of overwhelming wanderlust and the fear of adjusting to an entirely new city when I’ve never left the country before cause enough tension to make me reach for a bag of large fries (seriously, potatoes).
Whether the tendency of moving around often when I was younger always stayed with me or the lingering period of living in Irving for the past 11 years has caused a restlessness that's only curable by utilizing my passport, I’ve become both an avid Airbnb addict and a frequent traveler of the Buzzfeed and Pinterest ‘Travel’ sections where I vicariously (although momentarily) fulfill the explorer deep down from the comfort of my own bed.
For now, I may have to settle for scenic backgrounds on my laptop, listening to The High Kings and watching movies with Cillian Murphy or Domhnall Gleeson, but one day I’ll find the funds and courage to step out of my front door and go on my adventure.