Easily the most difficult aspect of the Victory Scholar Program is the time and distance spent away from home. I am so lucky to have family and friends that support me unconditionally. It was nice having the luxury of knowing that if I was struggling with something in college, my parents would hop in a car and head my way. But over in Ireland if something goes wrong… it’s a different story. That’s a huge reason why I applied to this program. Stepping out of your “safety zone” for ten months is never easy. And there are plenty of days where all I want to do is get on the next flight home. But working through those difficult times is where you really grow.
With that in mind, as the semester started to wind down I was really looking forward to the holiday break to relax, recharge the batteries, and be with my people. I spent the first part of my time off with my girlfriend, Courtney. She flew overnight on Christmas Eve to London and I surprised her at the airport. We spent Christmas Day exploring the city, which was great because she spent a semester abroad there three years ago. It was fun to see her favorite shops, restaurants and running spots, as well as how the city has changed over the last few years. My favorite part of the trip happened around 5 PM, when Courtney looked at me and said: “Sooo I’ve got a little surprise for you. We are going ice skating at the local Jewish Community Center.” At first I was super excited- I had never been ice-skating and always wanted to try… BUT, I also really like Courtney and want her to stick around for a while… Ice-skating was one of the most humbling experiences I have had. You think you’re an athlete until you fall on your face… BEFORE you even get on the ice. But hey, in the end it all worked out- Courtney spun in circles around me, I fell less than a dozen times, and for some reason she decided to continue dating me. Afterwards, though, I made sure to get my revenge. I spotted a nearby ping-pong table that was open to the public. I told Courtney that we were playing and she had no choice. I had to redeem myself. We played a quick game to 5 and I won 5-0. In hindsight, I think she let me win.
An amazing aspect of the Victory Scholar Program is how easy it is to travel Europe. Having the opportunity to explore different cities and experience new cultures is truly priceless. I set a goal to travel to France, Germany, and Prague before I graduate in May, and will be sure to keep you updated on my blog! It’s important that as Victory Scholars we take advantage of the opportunity to travel, as you never know when the next chance will come. If you want to hear more about my Christmas adventures to Edinburgh and the West Coast of Ireland, look out for Holiday Blogs Part 2 and 3 soon!
