Boarding the flight from London to Belfast, Northern Ireland, marked my first “aha” moment. Up until that point, everything had felt relatively familiar. Traveling from the United States to London, I experienced a sense of comfort and accessibility similar to what I was used to back home, along with the usual hustle and bustle of…
Author: Cole Perkins
Hello! My name is Cole Perkins, and I am a second-year student at Pitt studying Psychology and am from Naples, Florida. After I graduate, I plan to continue my studies at the graduate level earning a PhD.
Developing a Sense of Community Abroad in Northern Ireland
While more than halfway through my study abroad experience at Queen’s University in Belfast, I have begun to reflect on the academic and social communities I have gained here. Academically, I have been able to connect with my professors in a meaningful way in the Psychology department as well as my Archaeology professor. For psychology,…
Settling into Life in Northern Ireland and My First Week of Travel in Europe
Settling into Northern Ireland has been very enjoyable! Being here for a month now, I have gotten into a rhythm for my three modules (courses) and am developing a social life with the new friends I have made thus far. Exploring Belfast and the pub culture here has been enjoyable, as well as a good…
Hello from Belfast, Northern Ireland!
Hello! My name is Cole Perkins, and I am a second-year student studying Psychology with a minor in Anthropology here at Pitt from Naples, Florida. I am currently in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the Spring 2026 term studying at Queen’s University Belfast. Despite a snowy beginning and a semester marked by significant changes, I have…