Monthly Archives: January 2018

Hard Lessons

As I have found to be par for the course, coffee with classmates seven hours ago has somehow landed us packed shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other strangers in a Cork City pub. Irish Bob Dylan is perched at … Continue reading

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Normalized No More: Gaining Perspective from Irish Prisons

The first time I stepped foot on Rikers Island, New York’s main jail complex, was in 2012 for a college course. I was struck by the long bridge, big fences, high walls, and sharp barbed wire. The old, run-down buildings, … Continue reading

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“So…what’s in it” Transatlantic Packing and Snacking

I never realized how hard it was to describe a snack food by relation to other snack foods until I had to try it not once but twice. December brought with it winter break, Christmas, and the opportunity to head … Continue reading

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Diplomacy – the Irish way

As I approach the midpoint of my year in Ireland, I am both surprised how fast the first half went by and looking forward to all that is to come in 2018. The “homestretch” of last semester saw me mostly … Continue reading

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Choral Morals and Healing Harmonies

“The name of this town is written in the imaginations of many,” the monsignor begins. He goes on to tell us about the history of Enniskillen: the residents who fought in World War I, the 1987 bombing, Queen Elizabeth’s visit … Continue reading

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Brotherhood Beyond Borders

I don’t remember first beginning to read, but I do remember years of being unable to stop. Mesmerized by the newfound magic of words, I walked and ate and slept with a book in my hands. My mom would tease … Continue reading

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Silent “M”s and Silent Nights: an Ode to “oments”

“Where are my international students?” Unable to escape the subsequent prodding and nudging by the giggling sopranos around me, I warily raise my hand. The director turns his attention to it, unfortunately and apparently the only hand in the room. … Continue reading

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Trinity Personal Touch

You might have heard that the culmination of the glorious European Master’s degree is christened by the loveliest paper: a thesis. Although I must say that my 20k word requirement was assisted by a relatively easy choice for my thesis … Continue reading

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People make the journey

One of my favorite parts of traveling is the clarity of thought that comes with sitting isolated alongside a window and watching the world rush by. Insulated from the clamor of everyday commitments and sheltered from the elements you’re free … Continue reading

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How does humanity express hope

I am now approaching the end of my fifth month in Dublin and I can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone. It feels like just yesterday that I got on a plane to fly to Ireland for the … Continue reading

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Viewpoints

It’s said that “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and five months into living in Ireland, that is becoming more apparent to me every day. One of the most enjoyable parts of studying public policy at UCD is the … Continue reading

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