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Christian Knox
Christian Knox is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Galway.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
We visited a Benedictine monastery in County Limerick called Glenstal Abbey toward the end of the trip. While there, we were treated with the utmost degree of Irish and monastic hospitality. We were able to attend Mass with the monks, we received a tour of the surrounding forest and grounds, and we were given a tour of the Abbey's icon chapel and rare books library. Most of the monks we interacted with had either been to St. John's or were familiar with our school. Overall, our experience at Glenstal Abbey provided us with great insights into the country in which we were living and the religious community from which we come.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I chose to study abroad to gain a better understanding of the world at large. Since I'm a Political Science major with a concentration in International Relations, I have a great interest in world affairs, and studying abroad gave me the opportunity to experience international issues firsthand. I chose Ireland because of my love for Irish culture and heritage. The Galway program also seemed like a natural fit for me; I enjoyed the communal living atmosphere that we had at the Park Lodge hotel. Overall, I believe the Galway program was the ideal program for my personal and academic goals.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
I would say that my time in Galway constituted an ideal study abroad experience. The classes were intriguing and informative, the people we met were fantastic, and the excursions we went on are some of the best memories of my life. Students on the Galway program form a sense of community among themselves that is probably unique among the study abroad programs at CSB/SJU. It is an ideal mix of both Irish culture and heritage and the customs and practices of St. Ben's and St. John's.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
I believe that the trip has given me an remarkable new degree of independence. Having to live in close quarters with four other people necessitates that you adopt a level of maturity that may take longer to develop without a study abroad experience. The friendships that I made on this trip are in many ways deeper and more meaningful than a lot of the other relationships I've developed throughout my life. It's great to have a network of 29 other people who have been through the same experience as you, and I'm certain that this connection will remain between us for many years to come.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
I would say that studying abroad is an essential part of a college education in the 21st century. As the world becomes more interconnected, it is almost mandatory for students to have a deep awareness of issues that go beyond the domestic affairs of the United States. Studying abroad is an invaluable opportunity to broaden one's perspective on the world. If you are looking to become a well-rounded and informed citizen of not only your nation but the world at large, studying abroad can help you to begin your journey toward a greater degree of cultural and political awareness.