Usually, I’m the type of person who cannot wait for winter break to be over. It’s cold, my car takes forever and a day to heat up properly, and anyone I could possibly want to hang out with is back home in Massachusetts or something.

So this year, I was in need of a little change. I signed up for an EF College Study Tour to Ireland through UNH, and it was probably the best decision I ever made.

If you have the opportunity to study or travel abroad, even for a short time, I highly recommend it. Immersing yourself in another culture and experiencing new ways of life are things you can’t get here in the states.

Of course, I could talk about Ireland for days, but I’ll spare you all the little details and just give you a list of my personal favorite highlights from the trip:

1. The history: In the ten days I was there, I learned so much about Ireland’s history, particularly the revolution that took place against Great Britain in the early 20th century. When we arrived at each destination, our tour guide would give us the history of the location as well as the legends surrounding the area.

2. The food: Guinness stew and Irish coffee…enough said. Honestly though, the food options in Ireland were something to get used to. Like Britain, Ireland loves its fish and chips, and there was not one restaurant I went to that didn’t have this dish on the menu. It was also pretty fun saying “chips” instead of “French fries.” The meal portions in Ireland were also just right, a nice contrast from the oversized meals they offer in the U.S.

3. The weather: yes, it was extremely cloudy for about half of the trip, but there were days where I could go outside and not need to wear three sweaters just to stay warm. And did I mention no snow? Let me tell you, it was such a relief not worrying about whether a snow storm would delay our daily excursions. The weather in Ireland is typically foggy or rainy, but the sun did grace us with its presence while in Dublin, much to my enjoyment.

4. Kissing the blarney stone: The Blarney Stone resides at the top of Blarney Castle. They say those who kiss the stone will be bestowed with the give of eloquence, or flattery. What I didn’t know was that the only way to kiss the stone is to hang upside down. So I put my life in the hands of a stranger as he guided me toward the stone; the experience lasted only a few seconds, but boy was it terrifying.

5. Dublin: Dublin is probably one of the most vibrant, energetic and beautiful cities I have ever seen. There are countless statues and monuments, shopping districts, free museums, and Trinity College is just around the corner. Temple Bar, a street consisting solely of pubs, is also a popular tourist attraction. I was mesmerized by each and every corner of this city, and

6. Irish dancers/music: In almost every gift shop, store, restaurant or building I went into, Irish music was blasting from the speakers. Some of the restaurants and pubs even had live music and dancers. Nothing was more culturally enriching than to hear the traditional music of the country being played with such passion. Of course, there were some modern songs played as well; “Galway Girl” tended to be the most popular request. The musicians and performers even encouraged audience participation.

I know I am missing 100 more wonderful things about Ireland, but this editorial can only be so long. I’ll miss Ireland, but a new semester is ready to be tackled. If at all possible, I strongly recommend travelling abroad sometime during your college lives. If not through the University, then maybe on a family vacation or a Spring Break with good friends. I cannot emphasize enough how rewarding an experience it is. Living among people from another country, even for a short amount of time, can even help you put your own lives into perspective.