Have you ever been to Ireland? If not, you definitely missed out on something, and now know what to add to your travel list. The breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks were even more beautiful in real life than in the pictures we had seen.
As we did have a very busy schedule throughout the week, we managed to visit a lot of different places in Dublin and in the surrounding area, like Kilkenny castle or Glendalough, where we had guided tours, during which we learned a lot about the Irish history and culture. But we also went for an outstanding cliff walk in a part north of Dublin called Howth, did a street quiz, went to the cinema and visited the Epic, a museum about the history of Irish emigration. During the week we had classes at the ‘Babel Academy of English’ with great teachers and lots of funny games.
During the day we were always in the city, but for dinner we got back to our host families. In Ireland the houses are much smaller than in Austria, so it can be tight if your host parents have own children. Before the trip some of us felt a bit panicky about staying at host families, but it was actually a really exciting experience and the host families were all very kind and welcoming. Staying with a family also gave us a nice insight into the daily life of the local people.
We got the chance to practice the English language and learn about the country, its culture and its history. Being able to step out of your comfort zone made us feel very proud and confident.
We made memories for a lifetime – Dublin, you will always stay in our hearts.
Elina Haider, Johannes Eslitzbichler
