Category Archives: National University of Ireland Galway

January 2010 Reflection

We crested the hill and suddenly, below us, was the valley. I twirled. It felt like we were lord and lady of a hidden holding, a place where we could take the hounds out hunting of a weekend afternoon, the … Continue reading

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January 2010 Reflection

I expected that making friends … real friends … in Ireland would take time. That it would be a delicate process, and subject to awkward exchanges and uncertain social cues. During my first few weeks in Galway, I fearfully imagined … Continue reading

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November 2009 Reflection

I have a thing for birds. Last year, while living in Uganda, I became obsessed with identifying every weaver, hornbill, and crane that crossed my path. And although the birding is a bit less thrilling here in Ireland, I swoon … Continue reading

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November 2009 Reflection

It has become a weekly ritual. I put my huge black backpack down on the table, and she looks up and says “Hi, love?” We both know what will happen next. I will gather 4 pounds of apples, 2 pounds … Continue reading

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November 2009 Reflection

Due to a hurricane that was spinning its way up the East Coast, the Newark airport personnel assigned me to an earlier flight that was only minutes away from boarding. The problem, however, was that I had just checked in … Continue reading

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June 2008 Reflection

It seems like only a few days ago that I embarked on my journey to Ireland. Having never lived abroad, I boarded the plane to Ireland with great anticipation. Now that the year is drawing to a close, I find … Continue reading

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March 2008 Reflection

For someone who has considered himself a student of human rights for the past several years, I saw a poetic justice when I observed a small and soft-spoken woman from Northern Ireland preside over the Charles Taylor trial in the … Continue reading

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January 2008 Reflection

I steady myself against the wind that nearly takes me over the edge of the cliffs into the icy Atlantic. Standing here on this ancient lookout point I try to imagine what it must have been like for the guardians … Continue reading

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November 2007 Reflection

I came to Ireland in part hoping to expand STAND, a student movement dedicated to the abolition of human suffering in areas of conflict and gross human rights violations. When I boarded the plane, I had no idea if the … Continue reading

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June 2007 Reflection

A new segment of my Irish life has begun, even as some things remain the same: friends from home and other Scholars have been visiting, the Galway water supply is still infected with the parasite cryptosporidium, and I get bus … Continue reading

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June 2007 Reflection

My Mitchell experience is coming to a close and I have reached that point at which I must reflect back on the past year. In the end, my Mitchell experience lived up to my expectations and hopes, and even brought … Continue reading

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March 2007 Reflection

This semester, I cannot say that my lack of traveling is due to classes or thesis work. All I can say is that Ireland, particularly Galway, is addicting. Once you visit, you want to return; once you live here, you … Continue reading

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