Irish Heritage and Culture

At first I figured I was just taking classes here in Ireland to fulfill my graduation requirements. Back at Mercyhurst I would take a jumble of classes that really didn't work off of each other and contribute to one another in the same term. Here, I am taking a comparative government class that looks at the American and Irish government, Ethics in a cross cultural sense, learning the Irish language and culture, and an Irish literary class. After having gone through these classes (today was our last day - now we are studying hard for finals!)    I realize that they all do connect and have really worked together to help my education. There is way, way too much to write down that I've learned but I've learned it and have applied it and I think that is the greatest way to have fun while learning - is to be immersed in it. The fact that Mercyhurst gave me this opportunity to enhance my education is something I am grateful for because I have learned the Irish heritage and culture and have been involved with it. Learning of the Irish Parliamentary system, ethical issues in Ireland (such as the Magdalene laundries, financial crisis, etc), the language and the literature has really made my Ireland experience that much more enjoyable. In a local pub I would sit down and discuss these things with the Irish and they are astonished that I know so much about their country and it's history. One of the poems we read really got at me, it was the Easter Rising of 1916 by WB Yeats. Going to Dublin and actually walking the ground and being in such a place of historical importance really was amazing. There is just so much Irish heritage and culture that I've been able to be immersed in it and feel as the Irish do.

-J.GIBSON