Not only do Irish universities want international students to learn more about Irish culture, but they also want us to understand how this society works because it will become easier for us to fit in. It helped me do just that!
For international students, the core of the Irish experience is learning all about and participating in Irish culture. As I mentioned, there are organizations across Ireland that encourage all people, not just international students, to do the same.
One of the places I visited was Avondale Forest Park, which is a lovely park surrounded by (you guessed it) lots of trees! Not only are there lots of trees, but there is a walkway where people can explore the countryside of Ireland and enjoy how beautiful it is. A primary goal of this tour is to emphasize that an important part of Irish culture is to relax and admire your surroundings and where you are. I find myself doing this more and appreciating where I come from and how far I have come. You can learn so much from something so simple. Try it! You might be surprised.
