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Molly McCue
Molly McCue is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Galway.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
I was stranded in the middle of December, because of the cancelled flights that were occurring all over Europe. If you had told me in August that I was going to be stuck in a foreign country, with no clue how I was going to get home, and with only days to spare before Christmas, I would have been terrified, and would have maybe even said I would decline going on this trip! This adventure at the end, though, actually blessed me with the opportunity to explore my true, genuine communication skills, the importance of an always optimistic attitude in the face of troubles, and finally, the meaning of mature, conscious independence and self-sufficiency. I think the cultural barriers and difficulties I experienced at this time, as well as the wonderful cultural interactions and learning lessons I experienced taught me so much more than a "perfect ending" flight home from this study abroad experience ever could have.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I went into my study abroad program in Galway, Ireland with four main academic goals and three main personal goals. I am honored to have had the opportunity to spend time in Ireland with 28 other incredible individuals and 2 of the most amazing people I have ever met for program directors this past fall. I am incredibly fortunate and grateful to be able to say that I accomplished all seven of these original, predetermined goals of mine. I am most pleased to be able to say I satisfied all of these goals and endeavors and hopes of mine alongside 31 other individuals who have deeply, irrevocably impacted my life. I chose the Galway program kind of as a second choice, so that was something unique from most other students. I always hoped and planned to study abroad in France, as I had already studied the French language, and had heard countless, wonderful stories as a child of a Bennie and Johnnie couple who met while studying abroad in France. The France program did not fit the classes and requirements my major needed, so I was left to choose between the London, Australia, or Galway programs. As a very Irish person, who was raised to be proud of her ethnicity and culture, Ireland immediately stood out to me. I chose the program because I could already feel a call to let myself take in the culture and grow as an individual in the blessed home of all my relatives; the "Holy Land" as the McCue side of my family calls it. I was so fortunate to be able to study in a place that has such powerful familial and faithful significance in my life.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
I would honestly say that the experience I was given the opportunity to take advantage of was the four most educational, emotional, spiritual, social, and beneficial months of my life! I feel so fortunate to have gotten to experience everything I did; and I would want to describe my experience to prospective students as something that can enrich so many different domains of their lives. I am a very optimistic person, but I would also be happy to share with prospective study abroad students some of the struggles or difficult adventures I encountered along my way, as well. The accumulation of all of the amazing and all of the trying experiences I had is what made the program the four most life-changing, beneficial months of my life, and it is four months like these that I hope every prospective student can experience in their lives!
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
The trip has impacted the independent decisions I make throughout my life, strengthened the virtues and values I hold most important to me in life, improved the ways in which I put effort into communicating with loved ones in my life, and inspired me to stand even stronger and work even harder in accomplishing my life philosophy/goal of living every day like it is my last.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
I think the best advice I can provide to students who are looking to study abroad in the future is to take advantage of literally every moment of the study abroad experience. One incredible way to accomplish this task might be to have study abroad students sit down with past study abroad ambassadors once before going abroad and discuss explicitly the goals and hopes the students have for their study abroad experiences. I think a direct conversation eliciting all of these thoughts and hopes the students have will inspire them immensely and help them to accomplish all of their goals, and ultimately, make the most of every single moment of their study abroad program.