Ten Lessons I Learned as a Freshman in Dublin

By Grace Mellor

Editor’s Note: Freshman economics major Grace Mellor participated in Drexel’s Freshman Frontiers program, through which new students begin their college careers abroad. These are some of the lessons she learned there.

1. You Are Never Too Young.

While it may not be traditional to study abroad freshman year, all of the same adventures and opportunities available to an older student are still there for the taking. In fact, a freshman may have more choices than a matriculated sophomore or junior, whose choice of study abroad programs could be limited by the requirements within his/her major.

2. Homework Comes First. While my education in Dublin went far beyond the classroom, I knew the number one priority was to attend class, study hard and bring home good grades.

3. How to Budget Money. My first week in Ireland confirmed my suspicion that Dublin was an expensive city. I sat down and wrote out a weekly budget, making sure I had a little leeway to splurge on the occasional dinner out or shopping trip. Food shopping was also a new experience. In the U.S., we are accustomed to buying food in bulk. In Europe, most foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are very fresh and preservative free, leading them to spoil fast and require several visits to the local markets every week.

4. How to Travel on a Shoestring.

During my four months in Dublin, I was able to travel to Galway, Belfast, Paris, Munich, Vienna, Prague and London. The opportunities to travel to any European city or country are endless. (Thank you Ryanair!) While some trips were planned weeks in advance by destination, others were planned solely by the best price, taking me to cities I may not have visited otherwise. I learned how to choose accommodations through the extensive European hostel network, and shared multiple rooms, meals and discussions with travelers from all over the world. I discovered that free or low-cost walking tours were the best way to see a city. I kept my family and friends informed of my travels by posting pictures on Facebook. They were excited to see all that I was doing abroad and it was also a great way to keep, manage and organize the many photos I had taken.

5. How to Budget Time. While schoolwork was important, I knew it was important to manage playtime in Dublin as well. I tried to see Dublin’s main attractions early in my trip, so that I had the rest of the time to explore its small neighborhoods, markets, theaters and of course, the many pubs within the city. While I enjoyed Ireland’s people and its culture, I also knew that Dublin would be a gateway to the rest of Europe.

6. Pack Lightly! By week four, I knew that I would exceed my luggage allowance for my flight home. The mix of clothes from home, new clothes and gifts from Dublin were going to cost me an extra $100 at the airport. If I could go back, I would only have packed my favorite clothing essentials, and shopped Dublin’s many local thrift stores. My best purchase was a beautiful, trendy €50 coat for only €2!

7. Memorable Experiences Trump Tacky Souvenirs. Because of space and budget limitations, I quickly realized the value of memorable experiences over tacky trinkets from over-priced souvenir shops. A selfie in front the Eiffel Tower or the memory of a walking tour of Prague will long outlast my Guinness T-shirt.

8. Make Friends With the Americans and the Locals.

I was fortunate to study in Dublin with Drexel freshmen and students from other U.S. colleges. While I missed out on the traditional freshman orientation, I made lasting friendships there. We did not have many classes with Irish students, but we did mingle with them through on-campus activities, school organizations, and off-campus socializing, like at pubs. My Irish friends showed me parts of Dublin that I never would have found on my own.

9. Take Advantage of Sponsored Activities. FIE, our study abroad coordinator, sponsored several trips and events for our program. I was able to snag a free ticket to my first rugby game and a ticket to a professionally produced play. As an Economics major, I also visited several large corporations based in Dublin.

10. Have Fun! My time in Dublin was limited, so I learned to live every day to the fullest. Upon my return home, I felt like a more mature and open-minded person. Thanks to the Freshman Frontiers program, I was given the opportunity to experience many different types of cultures, travel throughout Europe, and live on my own, all before I turned 19. I’m looking forward to another study abroad adventure my pre-junior year and plan to do an international co-op. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to have an unforgettable experience and has the strength and courage to take a less-traditional approach to their first-year college experience.