My time in Ireland has been nothing but a blast. I have had so much fun with my fellow band members of Marching Mizzou as we explored different places throughout the country. Throughout the trip, we were provided the opportunity to engage with Irish culture and be a part of their community. From learning some traditional Gaelic sports such as hurling, to being a part of various St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, there is no doubt that we have learned a lot.

Learning how to play Gaelic sports was very fun. It is kind of a combination of a lot of American sports but with less strict rules. You use a paddle which is similar to hockey or baseball, but you can also kick, hold, hit and bounce the ball. It was also interesting to find out that none of the players who play competitively are paid for playing. They simply do it for the community and tradition which I found to be truly admiring. As well as this, it was very humbling to be able to perform in such a close knit community like Tipperary. The town changed the day of their celebration just so we could parade through the town. On top of this, we were able to provide this town, which had previously fallen on financial hardship, with international attention. They were so happy to have us there, but we were equally happy to be invited.

Aside from the awesome experiences we had, we learned that there are some differences between our societies. One of the most interesting things was learning about their opinion of immigration. They were very proud of the way that the Irish have spread across the world and are pretty much everywhere. Another thing that was different about most places in Ireland is that their buildings and roads are all compacted together even in small towns. I think this is such a cool way to format their towns and cities. It builds a sense of community that we don’t always see in other places.

Overall, I have had a great time in Ireland and I will cherish these memories forever. I would not have as easily been provided this unique opportunity without Mizzou and the scholarship I was awarded. I would definitely recommend this trip to others and will hopefully be able to return again someday.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: School of Music: Marching Mizzou in Ireland