Hi everyone, I’m Rachael. At Pitt, I’m a senior majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Spanish. This semester, I’m studying abroad at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, where I’m completing several of my general education requirements.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve already been here for two weeks, but it’s true. The first week was full of orientation events, group activities, and many trips to the store. The second week was equally busy with finding classrooms, buying textbooks, and getting used to the new format of classes here. But now that I’m two weeks in, I can take a minute to look at how it’s gone so far. 

Prior to this program, I already completed the Pitt in Spain study abroad program in June of 2023. I had an incredible experience during that program, and it definitely inspired my decision to study abroad again. This time, I knew I wanted to stay abroad for even longer– for the full semester. I wanted even more of the complete “immersion” that study abroad programs are so well known for. So far, it’s definitely been an immersive experience. Unlike the shorter program, I’m not just staying here for a few weeks, I’m truly living here.

Everyday, I find myself noting things that are different here versus back home in Pennsylvania. Some differences are small, like using the word “queue” instead of “line,” but some are pretty significant, such as the fact that they drive on the left side of the road. But I’m not just noticing these differences for the fun of it. It’s part of understanding the new culture I find myself in and adjusting to new ways of doing things, which are key to the study abroad experience.

So far, one thing I love is how walkable the city of Belfast is. Although it’s been very rainy, it’s great to explore the university and city largely on foot. Another thing I love is how interesting my classes are. The different school system will definitely take some getting used to, but I love getting to learn from people who have such a different background than my own. For example, this weekend I had a field trip with my Europe in Prehistory class to visit a megalithic cemetery that was over 5,000 years old. Being able to make connections between what I learn in class and what I get to personally experience is very important to me, and study abroad makes this possible by bringing me to the physical location of the content I’m learning about. 

Over the course of the program, I’m excited to enrich my educational experience in this way. But I’m also hoping to increase my confidence throughout this program by showing myself that I can learn to live and succeed in a foreign country and environment. I also want to increase my independence by gaining more experience living and traveling on my own, especially as I get closer to graduating college this spring. While it’s still early in the program, I’m already having a great time, and I look forward to moving closer toward these goals throughout the semester.