The Start of School

So Monday was our first day of class, and during orientation our AHA Site Director basically called out another student and I about the fact that we were the only ones signed up for all three courses this term. Apparently, Grand Valley shouldn't have let me take all three because it is too much to handle while studying abroad- no one has ever done it in the history of the program. Needless to say,  I dropped my History Class. I contacted GVSU, and they are taking care of everything. The only problem is that now I have to take a MWF class to finish my "Theme Courses" my last semester at Grand Valley. Although, let's be honest, I probably won't go to half of the classes.

We ended the day with an outing to a local pub, The Graduate. I could only have three beers before I had to get on the last bus, but it was quite fun! I'm definitely getting on well with my peers, and I think there will be some strong friendships formed.

So I officially dropped my history class, but as of today I am still enrolled in my film class and folklore class.

My Irish Myth & Folklore Class reminds me a lot of when I took my advanced english courses in High School. I forgot how much I love literature classes. This one makes me so excited, and Celtic Mythology is very interesting.



Lastly, in my Film class, each student has to review an assigned movie and then present it to the class. I was assigned the movie "interMission," it stars Collin Farrell and seems rather interesting.

I go into Dublin yet again tomorrow to tour both the city and the Gaelic Athletic Association. It should be a good time.

Miss you all.

My First Day in Dublin

I just got back from a family trip to Dublin, Ireland. It is a beautiful city with more to see and do than I will ever get accomplished while I am here. I have so many new favorite places, and I cannot wait to bring my fellow students to the city and show them what I experienced today.

I fell in love with Bewley's, a famous Irish coffee house/restaurant. It has the best coffee I have ever drank, and I will be bringing a few bags back with me to the States. The cafe also has a theatre on the upper floor, and many fantastic plays are put on there.

The city reminds me much of Chicago. It isn't too big, yet there is a lot to experience. The way there is simple- a quick walk to the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport), and then a 30 minute train ride into the center of the city.

I have uploaded some photos onto Facebook: www.facebook.com/schulzmk 

Make sure you see them! I think I will also need to upload onto my Flickr account. I'll post that link later.

Best to everyone! Thank you all for the Facebook comments, and warm wishes! Miss you all.

My First Day in Ireland

(My host family's home)

(A path along the sea coast, behind the house)

(There are so many dogs in Ireland)

So far, so good! I've met my host family, and spent most of today with them. Both the mom and dad are very welcoming and talkative. Most of our discussions revolve around entertainment, and I am very fluent in such talk. The house is very nice, and there is a trail from their home to the sea coast. I already took over 200 pictures today, and some are posted on my Facebook.

Tomorrow I take a trip in to Dublin, with the family. I'm rather excited, and yet, still a little nervous. However, I am sure that studying abroad was the best decision I've made since joining Sigma Pi Fraternity.

That's all for now. I'm going to watch the World Cup at an Irish Pub. Cheers!

Blog 2.0

(Temple Bar. Dublin, Ireland)

So this Summer I will be living here. Okay... maybe necessarily not the bar (although I do plan on visiting often). I am studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. In an attempt to not only satisfy my fans, but to also keep track of all of my ridiculous experiences, I am starting up the good old blog again. Stay tuned here for videos, pictures, and just generally good stories.

I will be taking three classes at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (the same school as in P.S. I Love You). My classes revolve around Irish culture represented in film, British Literature, and the history of the Irish immigration to America.

Lastly, I am lucky enough to have a program that places me with a homestay for the entire trip. Apparently, my family lives in Killiney, Ireland. This town is right on the sea, and only a 15 minute drive to my school. It's also about the same distance to where my friend Elyse is staying!

I'm beyond excited for this trip, and I believe it will be nothing but fabulous.

So stay tuned friends. This will be a wild ride!