I can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 already week 4 of the semester鈥攖ime is moving way too fast! It feels like I just got here, and yet, so much has happened already. I鈥檝e definitely been busy, and I honestly haven鈥檛 had a dull moment yet.
Moving to a new country is exciting but also a bit overwhelming, and I鈥檒l admit, there were a few moments where I wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect. But as it turns out, it鈥檚 the people around me that have made this whole experience so much better. I鈥檝e met so many amazing international students who have really helped me get settled.
When you first arrive, there鈥檚 a lot to adjust to鈥攏ew culture, new city, and of course, a completely different school system. Every professor is a stranger, and walking around campus, I don鈥檛 see any familiar faces like I would at my home university. At first, it鈥檚 easy to feel like you don鈥檛 quite belong, but over time, that feeling fades. You start finding your rhythm, and that鈥檚 when things start to click.
One of the best things about being an international student is connecting with others who are going through the same thing. It鈥檚 reassuring to know you鈥檙e not alone in navigating all the changes. Slowly but surely, I鈥檝e found my routine here, and even though every day feels a little different, I鈥檝e built a few habits that have become a regular part of my life here
in Limerick.
Mood Collage 1. My Daily Routine
For starters, I鈥檝e swapped my usual morning coffee for tea. I don鈥檛 know exactly when it happened, but now, I always start my day with a cup of tea. I usually take it outside on my balcony, sip it while looking out over the city, and just enjoy a few quiet moments before the day kicks off. It鈥檚 such a calming way to begin the day, and I鈥檝e started looking forward to it鈥攌ind of like my little daily ritual.
After that, I鈥檒l grab something quick to eat, get ready, and head out for class. The walk to campus takes about 17 minutes (if I鈥檓 not in a rush, which I try not to be), and I love having that time to enjoy the fresh air and mentally prepare for the day. I usually have a class or two in the morning, followed by a break where I head to the library to catch up on work or just take a breather. I always make sure to have a protein bar or snack in hand鈥攇otta keep the energy up, right?
In the afternoons, I鈥檝e got tutorials at Gerard House, and honestly, they鈥檙e one of my favorite parts of the day. The atmosphere is much more personal compared to lectures, and I find it鈥檚 a great time to ask questions or just chat with the group. After tutorials, I try to make the most of the sunshine (whenever it decides to make an appearance) and head into the city center. I love exploring, so I鈥檒l often mix a walk with something productive like grocery shopping or just discovering new spots in the city.
After getting some fresh air, I鈥檒l go for a run or a walk to clear my mind. It鈥檚 the perfect way to unwind before hanging out with my international friends鈥攚hether we鈥檙e cooking dinner together or just catching up, it鈥檚 always a good time. Then, there鈥檚 usually a bit of latenight studying or working on assignments. For some reason, I always get my best ideas when the world鈥檚 quiet. And of course, I can't skip my second cup of tea鈥攎y little nightcap. Looks like I鈥檝e become a full-blown tea lover while I鈥檓 here.
Mood Collage 2. Finally, I try to wind down and get my sleep schedule in check. It鈥檚 not always easy, especially when you鈥檙e living with others and the late-night talks can easily turn into hours of conversation. But honestly, that鈥檚 what makes this experience so memorable鈥攖he little moments, the chats that go into the night, and the chance to connect with people from all
over the world.
As much as time is flying by, I鈥檓 doing my best to soak in every part of this experience. There鈥檚 still so much to discover about Ireland, about the city, and about the people I鈥檓 meeting along the way. So even though the days are passing quickly, I鈥檓 making sure to enjoy every moment and appreciate the journey.
By Lili Hinner, Sweden
