My First Term as an International Student in Ireland

A Busy Start to Life as an International Student in Ireland

My first term in Ireland went by so quickly that it felt like a blur! There’s so much to unpack and share, but I’ll start with my half-term break.

Half-Term Break in Lismore

I spent half-term with my host family in Lismore, and it was really nice to have some time to relax. My host family is so kind, and I always have fun with the students who stay there too. Some of them go to school in Lismore, so I don’t see them very often, but we’ve become really close.

Some of my friends from my boarding school also stay with the same host family, so we had a great time together. Even though I had to study and do homework over the break, especially during Halloween, it was still such a fun and refreshing time and a nice break from the routine of boarding school.

Celebrating Halloween in Ireland

One of the things I was most excited about before coming to Ireland as an international student was Halloween, and it didn’t disappoint at all! I loved seeing all the houses decorated and the little kids dressed up for trick-or-treating. It felt so special to be part of it all.

During Halloween, I did everything I’d dreamed of—carving pumpkins, handing out candy, going to a party, and of course, trick-or-treating! Going door-to-door with my host family and friends took the cake for the most fun I had. We collected so much candy that we had stomach aches by the end of the night, but it was worth it.

Back to School After the Break

Going back to school after the break was bittersweet. I missed the friends I’d made at my host family’s house, and knowing that autumn assessments were coming made it even tougher. But it was so good to see my school friends again, especially my roommate and best friend, Alejandra. You know you've made a strong friendship if you miss them when you don't see them for a week. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.

Even though the schoolwork and revision have been taxing and stressful, I’ve found ways to manage. Starting rugby has been so much fun, and it helps me feel less worried. My friends’ support also keeps me going, which I’m really grateful for.

My Goals for the Next Term

I want to make the most of my time here, so I’ve set some goals for the next term:

Do Well in Winter Exams – I want to study hard and pass all my exams.
Meet More People – Making friends with students from other schools and backgrounds is really important to me.
Get Better at Rugby – I want to keep practising and start playing matches.
Enjoy Ireland – This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I want to have fun every day and try new things whenever I can.