My Travel Journey - Iryna Karmazina
How time flies! It is already study week, and it feels like just yesterday I was planning my studies abroad. I explored Ireland a few years back when I toured the island with my family. I was captivated by Ireland's authentic beauty, and when the time came to choose where to study, I knew this was my place!
My year of preparation flew by, and soon I had offers from several universities in Ireland. But my heart had long been set on the west coast. The University of Galway stood out, offering the best combination of tuition fees and a strong educational reputation. On top of that, their online English for Academic Purposes Pre-Sessional course (EAP) course, which I attended before starting my studies, was a major plus - many universities only offer offline courses, which would have greatly increased living costs. The talented teachers of the EAP course, whom I thank with all my heart, boosted my confidence that I had made the right choice. All elements, both practical and personal, pointed me to the University of Galway!
I knew I would have a rather busy and intensive education time, so I decided to turn it into a mini-adventure—a way to fill myself with energy for the academic year ahead. My journey took me through Europe, with a final stop in Normandy, where I took the ferry to Ireland. I spent a few days in Paris, catching glimpses of the Olympic Games, standing before my lovely Claude Monet’s masterpieces, and, of course, marvelling at the Eiffel Tower!
The ferry ride to Ireland was the perfect ending to my journey. Watching the sunset over the ocean and arriving at Dublin Port at dawn - felt like the opening scene to a whole new chapter in my life. Now the University of Galway has become a part of my life story. Like any student, I hold big hopes for my time here, hoping to grow, learn, and open new opportunities that study brings us!
Words and images thanks to Iryna Karmazina.