At 5:25 a.m. on a Tuesday, I touched down in the beautifully green country of Ireland. From then on, it has been a whirlwind of activity. I’ve been able to explore the city of Limerick, two castles and a massive church that’s literally been around for centuries. The history here is truly unbelievable. Everywhere you look there is another massive stone tower or church steeple raising up in the distance begging you to come and investigate. In the country full of beer, potatoes and damp grass (from the obscene amounts of rain) I have already learned so much.

First of all, the food is really an experience. With mashed potatoes and meat at every single meal, any American is craving something light and sweet within a few days. Something to get straight right away is that French fries are known as chips. So when you think your sandwich is coming with some crunchy potato chips you are sadly mistaken. Instead you will get a heaping pile of fries that are most likely in need of a little salt. To make the menus even more interesting, restaurants and pubs call any sandwich being toasted a “toastie.” A grilled cheese? Yes, that is a toasted cheese. But, one of my favorite aspects of the food here is the chocolate. While they’re not really Irish, the Kinder Bueno bars are now a staple in my diet. One of my goals is to try all the unique chocolate bars and candy while I am here. And of course bring loads of them back home with me.

Secondly, the weather is unreal. The rainstorms can come at any moment, and be gone before you can even open your umbrella. But despite all this rain, the Irish are not big into rain boots. In fact, they actually seem to find them pretty strange. When I walk around in my shiny hunter boots feeling super prepared and dry, people stare. With all the rain my fellow Americans and I were definitely expecting at least a few of the Irish to want rain boots. Sadly it seems as if I will be the lone supporter of Hunter boots in a land full of water.

Finally, some of the most incredible experiences here in Ireland are the pubs. The atmosphere is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. While I’ve never been to bars in America, perks of still being 19, I have a hunch that the Irish pubs are one of a kind. My first night here I ventured out with two other Americans to one of the many Flannery’s in Limerick. Within several minutes of sitting down and ordering drinks we were already making friends. The bartender gave us free Flannery’s postcards and a middle-aged Irish man immediately made himself right at home at our table. He was so excited to tell us all about the places we should visit and educate us about the Irish way of life. Soon he had taught us that crack did not mean drugs, instead it meant great fun and entertainment. His wisdom only continued from there. The hospitality and genuinely interesting conversations are almost overwhelming. It’s enlightening to meet people who love their country so much that they’re willing to help you fall in love too. Unfortunately it’s not quite like that in America.

That’s something I’ve been coming to terms with in my first two weeks here, the differences. Things are different, but it’s OK. As Americans I think we are all so used to our creature comforts that we are so distraught by changes in brands, weather and clothing that we almost forget to appreciate where we are. The ease in which we have been able to immerse ourselves into the culture has been incredible. It has been so incredible that all of the sudden it’s becoming less scary that we’re not in America. The experiences I’ve had here in such a short period of time give me a good feeling that the rest of the semester is really going to be quite grand (said in an Irish accent).