For twenty-two years now, I feel as though my life has always been planned. Growing up in America that’s often just the way it goes. Granted my life has often involved its fair share of unknowns, but I have never been one to truly step outside my comfort zone so as to go after something that might not be a part of my so-called plan. Just two years ago the idea of moving to another country for a year was simply just that…an idea…and one I never really even considered at that.
Yet here I am, day 2 in my new home of Carlow, a place that has quickly stolen my heart. Between meeting the other incredible Victory Scholars as well as the inspirational youth around the community of Belfast, this new plan of mine has instantly felt right. I cannot get enough of the rolling green hills with horses, or the view of the castle down the river when I look out from my balcony. Nor can I get enough of hearing the term “wee” in replace of “little” or “tanks a mil” in order to display gratitude. I can now understand why this country is deemed the “land of a thousand welcomes,” and that alone I know will help me get through any homesickness or troubles that are inevitably to come my way. This week has been quite the adventure, involving two new countries, thirty-three new friends and a countless number of laughs.
However, I know the true excitement is in what lies ahead. What children will I inspire? What will my teammates be like? What information will I learn not only at IT Carlow but also the life lessons and self-knowledge I will inquire along the way? There is so much unknown to this journey, this unplanned plan of mine. But I have a strong feeling it will be one of the best years of my life full of incredible people I would have never met otherwise. If I told you I knew I’d be in these same shoes just even a year ago, I would have been lying. But sometimes different paths come up and lead you in different directions even if they’re towards the same destination. Regardless, I hope my path leads me to positively impacting those I meet and vice versa. Based on how this previous week went, I have no doubt that that will happen…with plenty of good craic along the way!
