Classes and Roommates

Hello there!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I will try to update more frequently, but try to bear with me through this long post :)

Things have been so much better these past few days! We had some more orientation meetings at the end of last week, then this weekend, we walked around some more and went to a few pubs. On Saturday night, we went to mass at the Galway Cathedral (there's pictures on my snapfish account). It's absolutely beautiful inside! We went to mass at 6 and it was over by 6:30. There was no singing at all and they speak very fast. It was a little disappointing because it's such a beautiful church, but we think maybe if we go on Sunday morning, it will be more extravagant.

Sunday night, my roommates arrived! They are so cool, I love them all! Cara has been here all week, she's my American roommate from Pennsylvania. Then Niamh (pronounced Nieve) arrived. She's from London, but attends school here in Galway. Then my roommate that shares my room arrived. Her name is Carol and she's so sweet. She's a nursing major so she spends a lot of time in the hospitals following nurses around. She wants to go into Labor and Delivery so I'm sure she'll love meeting mom and talking to her. Lastly, Maive arrived. She's from Ireland as well and she's very loud and outgoing. They are all so nice and helpful. it's nice to have people around the apartment so that it feels more homey. Since I live in a first year dorm, all of my roommates are 18, so that's interesting. I feel so much older than them! Every time I introduce myself and say that I'm from Wisconsin, they ask me if I like That 70's Show. Apparently, that's all they know of Wisconsin...

I had my first class yesterday. It's and archeology class focusing on castles in medieval Europe. There are 115 students in the class, so that's something that I definitely have to get used to. It's going to be really interesting and it only goes until February 20th. We are even taking a field trip throughout Galway to see castles that we are studying! Our professor informed us that the date of our field trip depends on who is in the Rugby championship that weekend. There are definitely similarities in athletic loyalties between these countries!

Today, I had my Approaches to Women's History. There are only 15 people in this class and I'm the only American. It's definitely interesting to talk to these Irish women and see how they view history. My professor knew that I was a visiting student and saw that my last name is Hollnagel and she assumed that I was German. When I told her that I was from Wisconsin, she seemed relieved that there would be no language barrier.

I had a class today that had another class booked for the same time. It was confusing walking around and trying to figure it out. They figured it out and canceled it for today and now they're going to reschedule. So hopefully this all comes together well.

These last couple days have been really good, but tonight I'm feeling really homesick. These feelings come and go and I know it's all a part of the experience, but it's the hardest thing to deal with. This whole experience has made me appreciate all of you at home. Thank you so much for everything you do for me. I still appreciate the messages and I will try to respond as frequently as I can. I love you all and I miss you more than you know!