Category Archives: Class Year

Looking Back

I’ve written most of my posts about the people who turn ordinary days into extraordinary ones. As a group of friends we have given ourselves the title of “Elephants” – we are loud, clumsy, and have big personalities. At times … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University of Ulster | Leave a comment

A Spiritual Feast for the Senses, or How a Monk Catches a Submarine on a Bicycle

In April, we had the chance to visit Glenstal Abbey, a Benadictine monastery outside of Limerick. More than one former Mitchell scholar had told me that this was one of their favorite experiences from their year, and Trina had said … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, Queen's University Belfast | Leave a comment

On the hunt for Irish relations

“Do you have relations from Ireland?” is, without fail, one of the first questions that Irish people will ask when they find out you are American. It is a fair question, given the extensive Irish Diaspora and the country’s ‘special … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University College Cork | Leave a comment

Lessons from Ireland

Enjoy Explore Experience Eight months ago, I sat in a corner of terminal A6 in the Philadelphia International airport waiting for my red eye flight to Dublin. I began to list goals for my year in Ireland. I was not … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University College Dublin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Further Afield in Ireland

Not nearly enough of April was spent on schoolwork. This is, perhaps, completely fine. I’m not sure if Mitchell Scholars are supposed to say things like that, but it’s the truth. For the past month, two of my best friends, … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, National University of Ireland Galway | Leave a comment

In The Interim

On May 9th, Belfast Exposed, a gallery in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, had an opening for its two new exhibitions: Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography and Interim, an exhibition of the mid-program work from University of Ulster Belfast’s MFA Photography … Continue reading

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The Global Reach of Irish Universities

Montreal, Canada may not be the first place one thinks to look at the US-Ireland Trans-Atlantic relationship. For me, competing alongside four Irish peers representing an Irish university at a Canadian Competition helped me better appreciate the realities of the US-Ireland connection. Continue reading

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A Mitchell Year

It is eight months since I first arrived in Ireland, and each evening, I am reminded of my first few days here. The reminder comes by way of sunlight that lingers well into the night. It was one of the … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University College Dublin | Leave a comment

Liquidation & Renewal

On February 6, just before midnight, a plane carrying Ireland’s president landed at Dublin airport. It was a hastily arranged voyage, interrupting a state visit to Italy so that President Higgins could sign a piece of legislation into law. The … Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University College Dublin | Leave a comment

A Taste of the North

Over the last few months, I felt I had come to understand Northern Ireland after having read a few books about the Troubles and often spoken to Irish friends about the conflict. Yet nothing could have prepared me for my … Continue reading

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Where’s the Craic? Cork

For those considering a visit to Ireland or applying to the Mitchell Scholarship, keep Cork in mind. For me, Cork has been a great place to live, learn, and make memories. Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, University College Cork | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PeaceMeals in Belfast

There is unique healing to be found by creating space for people to let go of their troubles (or The Troubles) by laughing and talking around a shared meal. Continue reading

Posted in Class of 2013, Queen's University Belfast | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment