Why I chose to move abroad, alone, at 18...

Was this the stupidest thing I have done? Abso-freaking-lutly not.

I was raised in Massachusetts and in my final year of high school I was rejected from my dream university for early decision. After a few months of the woe-is-me lifestyle, I whim-fully applied to Trinity College Dublin.

In early April, a few days (maybe 2 or 3) after completing the application, I received an acceptance. Only then did I tell my parents that I applied.

At first my parents were very hesitant as this was a very spontaneous idea. Although once I showed a few videos and summarized a few articles in a presentation style, they said "they would think about it".

For the next few weeks I had to convince my parents to support me through this transition, but I never allowed myself time to decide if I wanted to go overseas.

As an international student my deadline to put down my deposit was May 1, less than a month after I thought to apply. So the time was ticking, and I spent very little time convincing myself to go overseas.

For my parents, I am sure my outward excitement and the school's price tag were the deciding factors for their support. Although the lack of information for international student on the internet was a major deterrent.

For me, when looking for a school I had a few items on my wishlist:

1. In a city

2. Away from where most of the kids in my high school went

3. Preferably at least 2 semesters abroad

4. I wanted to do something in international business

5. Air conditioned dorms (I grew up in New England, I can't bear the heat ya know)

6. High percentage of international students

Yet, this list changed a bit once I started to explore international options. I chose TCD because:

1. I have always been a traveller in my heart, and in Dublin the options to explore new places within the island and continent are endless.

2. The tuition, housing, transport to/from US, and food come to about $30,000, which is at least half the fees for any US school I got accepted to.

3. I had recently watched a whole lot of YesTheory videos on YouTube and felt quite inspired you could say.

4. I was not excited by any other school that I was accepted to.

5. I would be among international students from around the world.

I ended up putting down a deposit at both TCD and Fordham University, just in case I backed out during the summer (it was the deal I made with my parents).

Throughout the summer I tried to find information online (i.e. what Trinity Halls looked like, would I have roommates, could I know my roommates before September, how to apply for my GNIB appointment, how to enroll in classes, what are some of the dates on the academic calendar, etc.). Although all of these unanswered questions got to me and I just put my hands in the air and told myself to go with the flow.

I now know the answer to these questions so please email me if you are looking at coming to Trinity College Dublin. I would love to help ease some of your worries : )

Looking back on what I would be doing if I was at Fordham, I know that I 100% made the right choice for myself. My advice is if you are looking for an adventure, come overseas. If your personality fits, you will fit. Academically, TCD is extremely prestigious in Ireland but is quite different from the states (I can go further into this in another post). Do not get me wrong, I get homesick all of the time, but there are so many other international students who bond together because of it.

Please let me know if there are any blog posts about TCD, being an international student, etc. that you would like me to write.

The campanile on TCD campus a few days after arriving in late August, I was so lost that week!