I got home from my study abroad program a little over a week ago and have had ample time to sit with what I have learned during my time in Belfast. In my first blog post, I touched on some of the reasons why I thought this program would be beneficial to me. However, there…
Tag: Northern Ireland
Reflecting on Five Transformative Months Abroad in Northern Ireland
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…
Cultural Learning in Northern Ireland: What to Expect
My program came to a close today, but I have a few days of independent travel to reflect on my experiences and all that I’ve learned. The two aspects I was most looking forward to while studying abroad were cultural immersion and gaining practical knowledge in my field. Today, I’m going to explore the former….
Renee in Belfast: Bye, Pittsburgh!
Hello! My name is Renee Arlotti, and I am preparing to enter my final semester at Pitt. I am an FHC Psychology major completing minors in Spanish and Applied Developmental Psychology, as well as a certificate in Public & Professional Writing. I currently work at a psychiatric hospital, and my future plans include getting a…
The Moment It Hit Me: Arriving in Belfast
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…
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,…
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…
Growing from Ireland
Before studying abroad in Ireland, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I had never traveled alone before and have always considered myself a homebody. I remember feeling incredibly homesick during my freshman year of college, even though I lived just 30 minutes away from campus. Despite this, I was determined to step out of…
The Right of Way
Before you go on a trip abroad everyone always tells you that you are going to see things that are different from your home country, that you might get homesick, and that you are going to face culture shock. As part of an assignment for my program I made 20 observations about things that are…
Exploring Interdisciplinary and a Welcome to Northern Ireland
At 3:30 am Pacific Standard time, when I left for the airport, I really started to come to terms with the fact that I had two weeks to soak up everything that Northern Ireland could offer me on the interdisciplinary workings of working with children with disabilities. And by 4:00 am, I was on the…