Brussels, Orange is the New Black, and Meeting New People

Well, its official. I am terrible at keeping deadlines on blogs. I was supposed to upload this post earlier in the week, however my roommate got me hooked on Orange is the New Black so I've been slightly busy...

Prior to this week's binge watching adventure, I went to Brussels with a group of International Business students from CIT! Before you all grumble in jealousy, the week was considered a full college credit class, so it wasn't all fun and games (though fun and games were had).

During the week we met the Irish Ambassador for Belgium, and a few MEP's for Ireland. We also visited the European Parliament and Commission, and had tours of IMEC, and the Audi Factory. The first day of the week consisted of lectures on the European Union Decision Making Processes, an introduction to the differences in the Belgian Linguistic and Cultural Divide, as well as a look at Cross-Cultural Marketing Strategies. As you can see, the week was very busy! I loved every minute of it!

My favorite part of the trip though was not the tours or lectures, but it was getting a chance to spend time with Irish students. As an International Student, it can be very easy to just socialize with the International Student body, so it was nice to make friends with some Irish students. It is true though what they say about the Irish, they are truly some of the nicest people around. They know how to make you feel at home!

Some pictures of my Belgium Trip:

Belgium Chocolate!

The City Hall in Leuven, Belgium

New Experiences, Need I Say More?

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been slow to post this week. I've been pretty busy with school and with trying to meet everyone. I went to Cobh last Saturday with the International Students. Then after returning to Cork, three of us wandered around the side streets of Sunday's Well (near the Gaol I mentioned earlier). I, however, did do something that isn't in my normal routine this week though! I, Bri, went to a club!

The last few days was RAG week at CIT. I can't remember what the exact acronym means, but it is a charity fundraiser hosted by the school I believe. They had a bunch of entertainers and local venders coming on campus all week. They also had a few off campus events, one of them being hosting the Swedish (I believe?) DJ Basshunter at a local club. Now for those that don't know me, I am not exactly the wild party type. My idea of a party is good food, good friends, and a box of Cards Against Humanity. Needless to say, I had no idea what to expect when I was invited along by a few of my friends to the Basshunter event. First of all, I thought it started at 9PM so I had plans to leave around 11-11:30 so I could have time to watch a bit o' Netflix. Alas, my plans were foiled :P
[(P+L)(A+N)=PA+PN+LA+LN]. It turns out that it started at 11...on a school night! Shocking no?!

I confess that I probably looked like a deer caught in headlights the first half hour as I took in the outfits, music, and people. But aside from a few interesting characters, the place was very nice and I enjoyed myself a lot! Just don't expect to find me in a club every weekend...it took me nearly three days to recover the three hours of sleep I lost :P. I am happy that I was able to determine that clubbing isn't my main way to enjoy socializing. I much prefer sit down bars where you can order food and chat with people around you. I guess both settings have their time and place though!

This coming week I won't be posting any blogs. I am taking a trip to Belgium for school-related purposes. I will type up a post sometime after returning to update you all on that adventure.

Until then!

True dat!

Choosing Titles Are The Hardest Part of Blogging..can this be my title?

I've been in Cork now for about two weeks I believe! The first week I spent mostly setting up classes and getting my bearings with the area. I can happily say I now know most of my way around Cork City by now. Sure there are definitely places to still explore, but my chances of getting lost are diminishing with each trip I make into town.

The really cool thing about Cork City is that you can walk in any direction and happen upon an interesting historical landmark. Other than St. Fin Barre's Cathedral and the Ballincollig Regional Park (the Gunpowder Mills), I haven't searched out any particular place. I just keep bumping into them. Since my visit to the Shandon Bell Tower, Butter Museum and such, I have gone to St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Elizabeth Fort, the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig, and then I wandered into Sunday's Well which just so happened to be the location of the Cork City Gaol! I think my point is...Cork is perfect for anyone who just likes to choose a direction and walk.

As for school (this can't all be fun and games right??), my first day of classes started yesterday. I originally planned to take German this semester, but unfortunately they were not offering beginner classes. So now I am taking Spanish. One small hitch though, I've never taken Spanish before and this class is geared towards students that have already taken one semester.  I am hoping I can catch up quickly!

Speaking of school, now that the students are all back, I am beginning to meet a lot of new people! My roommates are from the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada. I've met several girls from Finland, one from France, and so on. This is the coolest part of this experience. I love learning about other cultures!

Suffice to say, things are going very well. I hope this continues...especially as the homework load gets more intense!

A figurine representing one of the former inmates that gave birth in the Gaol.

Cork City Gaol

I went out for Ramen with my roommate and her friends. My foodie heart was beyond excited.