All 23 Victory Scholars and myself landed safely in Dublin Ireland on August 23rd at about 8am. We hopped on a bus up to Belfast where we then settled into our rooms at Ulster University. For the next week we attended safeguarding lessons, lectures, and coaching sessions. I got to know each of the Victory Scholars and share with them a bit about myself. Surprisingly, most of us had a small connection or were friends with the same people back home. Small world, right?
We did some touring around downtown Belfast and had dinner at Aether and Echo, which is an amazing Pub that sponsors Sport Changes Life, with the American Women’s Rugby team! It was really fun to meet up with more Americans halfway across the world. My favorite trip in Belfast was our hike up Cave Hill. I really enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors so I figured this would be one of the highlights of the week. The view from the top was breathtaking. I could see all of the city and even a rainbow in the distance! Everyone was shocked at how beautiful the view was. From the top of Cavehill I could feel happiness and positivity of all the great things to come!
As our week in Belfast came to an end we had to say our goodbyes to our fellow Victory Scholars. I’m looking forward to meeting up with them for holidays and long weekends! I’ve had the chance to develop some positive relationships with the people in the program as well as in Belfast and I’ll miss them but I’m looking forward to a year of full of victory both on and off the court!