On the river between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay lies the city of Galway, Ireland. Known for its colorful buildings and whimsical artists, every year, Galway hosts a cohort of students passionate about service-learning through UF in Galway & Gweedore – Youth Development, Irish Culture, and Service Learning (UF in G&G). Students receive 6 credits for this study abroad experience. The program provides students with hands-on service-learning opportunities. Students learn about youth development while working with local community organizations, while immersing themselves in Irish culture.

Aaliyah Gilroy and Emily Pecker studied abroad with the UF in G&G program in Summer 2024. Aaliyah is a senior majoring in Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS), and Emily is an alum with a dual degree in FYCS and Psychology. During their trip, they worked with local community organizations that serve children with disabilities and refugees in Galway & Gweedore, Ireland.

Aaliyah’s Study Abroad Tale

Aaliyah dreamed of studying abroad in Ireland to learn more about Irish culture. As a Jamaican American, she also wanted to discover similarities between Irish culture and her Jamaican culture.

“The first thing I noticed was how chill Irish people were about time and this made me feel kind of at home. I say that because in Jamaica we are very relaxed when it comes to time, we’re not always in a rush compared to here in America where you feel the pressures of being timely in everything” Aaliyah said.

What was the most valuable skill that you learned in Ireland?

“One of the most valuable skills I learned in Ireland was flexibility and resilience. Sometimes unpredictable situations would arise and being in a foreign country this can be uncomfortable. Whenever we faced these challenges, it provided me an opportunity to practice mindfulness- being fully present. Instead of worrying about the things that are outside of my control, I took the moment to admire the beautiful landscapes and the freshness of the air. I also learned some valuable lessons about cultural sensitivity. We worked with different vulnerable populations, children with disabilities and refugees, so I had to be aware and acknowledge that there are differences in our cultures and be open to learn and accommodate accordingly.”

What is one experience from Ireland you’ll never forget?

“I will absolutely never forget when we went to the Blackrock Diving Board and despite being afraid of heights my classmates hyped me up enough to jump off into the freezing ocean. I felt unstoppable after that. Another one of my favorite experiences was biking through the Aran Islands, it was breathtaking, and I got to pet a horse that was hanging out by the road.”

What advice would you give to a student who’s considering studying abroad?

“I would tell them to be open-minded and go for it. Studying abroad can be scary, but it is a lot more fun than scary so be grateful for the opportunity and take every chance you get to go out and immerse yourself in the local culture.”

Emily’s Study Abroad Tale

Emily found herself drawn to Ireland to follow her passion for helping others in a new environment. She was excited to experience the beautiful landscapes of Ireland and partake in Irish culture alongside her host family.

“When I first arrived to Ireland, I felt exhilarated by the cold winds and the Irish accents around me,” Emily said.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned in Ireland?

The most valuable lesson I learned in Ireland was to go beyond my comfort zone. Being in a new country, I realized the value in seizing every opportunity to do something new, such as chatting with locals at a bus stop to understand their experiences in Ireland, learning ceili dancing with locals, and singing karaoke at a bar with an Irish band. I took each conversation with my host family to heart, and opened my eyes to new experiences.

What did you learn from your class that you wouldn’t have learned in a classroom on campus?

“In my service-learning, I hosted a summer camp for youth who recently moved to Ireland through the asylum-seeking process. In this experience, I learned about the identity of youth who migrated to Ireland, including the opportunities they gained, and simultaneously, the injustices they experienced regarding housing and discrimination. I compared their experiences to those I witnessed while volunteering with low-income youth in Gainesville, Florida, noting many similarities and differences. For example, both populations were eager for educational and fun experiences, yet they were offered fewer opportunities to have them. The program’s hands-on learning aspect highlighted that many youth share similar developmental and societal experiences, regardless of their location.”

What advice would you give to a student who’s considering studying abroad?

“Go for it! The world is so wide and there is so much to explore. Seize every opportunity to go beyond what you are used to. You won’t regret it.”

Study abroad with FYCS

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