Wow, I can’t believe I’ve already been in Ireland for a month! So much has happened that I’m not even sure where to begin.
London Welcome Camp: A Perfect Start
My journey started in London on the 24th of August, where I attended a welcome camp with other exchange students from across Europe. London was incredible! The weather was surprisingly good, and we packed in a lot of fun activities.
We stayed at the University of Roehampton but spent most of our time exploring the city. Highlights included a boat tour on the Thames River, shopping on Oxford Street, watching the musical Wicked, and visiting Madame Tussauds. One of my favourite moments was getting a picture in front of the Beatles at Madame Tussauds—I was totally starstruck!
First Days in Ireland: Meeting My Host Family
On Tuesday, the 27th of August, I flew from London to Dublin, where I finally met my host family. They welcomed me warmly, and we spent the evening having dinner and getting to know each other. I was so happy to meet them—they’re incredibly kind, and their house is beautiful!
This is a picture of my room. I’ve decorated it a bit with photos of my friends and family, plus a Beatles poster to make it feel like home.
School Challenges and New Beginnings
Just two days after arriving, I started school. The first week was tough—I struggled to get all the subjects I needed, and even though everyone was friendly and helpful, it was hard being in that situation in a new school in a foreign country.
After a week, I had to switch schools because the first one didn’t offer all the subjects I needed. Now, I’m at an all-girls school, which is very different from what I’m used to, but I really like it! The girls are lovely, the teachers are great, and even the uniforms aren’t so bad.
Making Friends and Exploring Dublin
Enough about school—let’s talk about the amazing people I’ve met here! I’ve already made some great friends, including people I met at my first school who I still hang out with outside of school. Last week, we all went bowling together, and it was a blast!
Check out this picture from the city centre—it’s so pretty! I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how kind and friendly everyone is here.
When I’m not in school, I’m either at the gym, hanging out with friends, or keeping myself busy with other activities. I’ve even signed up for dance classes, which I’m really enjoying. I’ve also explored Dublin’s city centre a few times, and I have to say, Dublin is a beautiful city with great shopping and plenty of good restaurants.
This week, I participated in the Climate Strike in Dublin with some friends. It was incredible to see so many people marching through the city with their posters, showing that they care about our planet. I felt it was important to join in because, as they say, there is no plan(et) B.
Navigating Homesickness and Embracing the Experience
I’m not going to lie—sometimes I do feel homesick because everything is still so new. Not every day is perfect, but then again, they wouldn’t all be perfect in Norway either. When I feel homesick, I like to call my parents and have them remind me that nothing has changed at home and that I’m the one making memories. That always helps!
There have been moments when it felt like the homesickness would never go away, but then, in the next moment, I’m just really grateful to be here. All in all, I’m having a great time, and I know I’m going to learn so much about the world and myself this year.
Thank you for following along on my journey!
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