Hello! My name is Cole Perkins, and I wanted to say one final hello as I close this incredible chapter of my life in Northern Ireland. For geographical orientation, I have added a map of Ireland and the surrounding area with a pin for Belfast.
(Picture from Britannica)
I include this picture because, when my family and friends asked where Belfast is, I was also uncertain. I referenced Apple Maps almost daily when discussing my travel plans or just saying, “I think it is a couple of hours north of Dublin,” treating Belfast as just “another city.”
This narrative of “just another city” changed quickly as I began to adapt and learn more about Belfast as soon as I landed. From going to the local restaurants and pubs to meet people, to going to events at Queen’s Student Union, to exploring the Northern Coast of NI, I began to see why this wasn’t just “another city.”
This is a picture from one of the first trips we took as a friend group around Northern Ireland. We decided to do a day trip to Derry. As I started to wrap my mind around the size of Northern Ireland, I realized how accessable it was by trains to major cities like Derry. From that moment in Derry on, I decided I wanted to see as much of Northern Ireland as I could. This soon meant taking a trip to Giant’s Causeway and Portrush.
Giant’s Causeway was one of the first places in Ireland that was jaw-dropping for me. The size of the causeway and scenic aspects intregued me so much I made the trek to it a total of three times when I was there abroad.
After many day trips, study sessions, and days of laughter later, I could fully comprehend why Belfast was truly special. It was not just “another city” or the capital of Northern Ireland. To me, Belfast was a home away from home.
A special moment to reflect on was St. Patrick’s Day. It was very surreal to be on the island of Ireland celebrating in Belfast. This day was filled with many laughs, different people, and unforgetable memories. We made stops to our favorite spots in Belfast to celebrate the day and meet the locals who call Belfast their home.
Fast forward to my final days in Belfast…
From engaging in intellectually enriching modules at Queen’s University Belfast, to exploring countries across Europe, to building meaningful friendships with people throughout the island of Ireland, every experience contributed to my personal and academic growth.
Looking back, my five months abroad were far more than a semester overseas; they were a truly transformative journey that broadened my perspective, challenged me to grow, and created memories and relationships that I will carry with me for years to come.
This photo is the main Lanyon Building at Queen’s
I would like to thank everyone involved at Pitt and Queen’s University in Belfast that made the experience better. This is a truly unforgetable opportunity that I will forever remember!
Sláinte!
Cole