Why Galway is Going to Become your Ideal Erasmus Destination

My journey to Galway began at the moment I decided that I wanted to go on an Erasmus experience. A part of me felt that more than a want to, it was almost more, rather a need to.

Coming from Spain, I had always wanted to go study abroad, and because of the pandemic, I did not have the opportunity when I was in high school, and it was something that had stayed with me since then.

The urge to grow, run away from home seeking to learn, not only about my course, which is Journalism, and I couldn’t be happier to study something I genuinely love, but also to learn more about myself and different ways of life. That pushed me to apply for an exchange semester when I was given the opportunity in my third year at CEU Cardinal Herrera University in Valencia.

I had excitement and doubts in the same amount, because I didn't know how I was going to support myself financially, felt like I was going to fall behind my subjects at home, and of course, I was going to miss my family and friends, but here it goes my first advice in that should I do it or not stage: If you feel it burning inside you, go for it.

Everything is “figureoutable”, and you will find support, for example, with the Erasmus grant, through the Accommodation Advisory Service for housing, also one of my major concerns, and relying on your Coordinators for all the Learning Agreement changes.

At first, it can seem difficult, and I am not going to fool you, it will be, but it is completely normal as you will be adapting to a whole new country, a different language, loads of people to meet, and being on your own. Even though this will happen to you, what you learn from it is impossible to achieve in any other way. Erasmus is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that is waiting for you to take it.

When I landed in Ireland, I discovered a piece of the planet that amazed me with its beautiful, vibrant green and breathtaking nature, but Galway welcomed me into a small town that connected with me within seconds. Suddenly, I realised I was walking down the streets of the Latin quarter just as I had seen in the pictures, and it led me to the colourful houses I had dreamed of seeing for the past year.

A week after my arrival, classes started, and I began to meet people from all over the world. One smart move I made, and I am now grateful for all the opportunities it gave me, was joining the Erasmus Student Network Society (ESN). They arrange the best plans to meet people, discover the city, and also the amazing landmarks around, even other Irish cities.
The first adventure I embarked on with them was visiting the famous Cliffs of Moher. It was one of the first things on my bucket list, and thanks to ESN, I could visit them within the first weeks of my Erasmus. Another of my highlights of the semester abroad was our visit to Cork city and Cobh, the last stop that the Titanic made before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

I would definitely recommend joining a society that best fits your interests; University of Galway has a wide variety to choose from, and it is a great opportunity to meet people with shared interests.
I have learnt a lot about the Irish way of living, and I experienced several cultural shocks that I did not understand at first, but have internalised into my habits while I am living here. For instance, always walking on your left, and opening the doors on your left, as it is not just inverted in the roads, but also in the way people move around.

Why should you choose Galway? If you're already reading until here, that is a sign. But if I hadn’t convinced you enough, just let yourself dance to the rhythm of the musicians around the streets, feel the first sip of a pint of Guinness leaving your lips foamy, or imagine a peaceful stroll by the Corrib River or Salthill to the sound of seagulls.

You will not regret the amazing memories you will create here, surrounded by the most welcoming people gathered in a pub on a rainy Tuesday, singing as if they had known you forever. Galway has a way of holding you gently, of making every street feel like a story and every sunset over the Claddagh feel like a small miracle reserved just for you. And one day, without noticing, you will realise that this windy, musical, green-drenched corner of the world has quietly become another version of home, the kind you will carry with you long after your Erasmus ends.

Words and images thanks to Erasmus student Andreina Pietri