During the Spring of 2023, I headed abroad for a semester in Cork, Ireland. I studied at University College Cork (UCC) and took many courses related to my Sociology and Political Science majors. The course that related to my beyond-the-classroom experience was Victim and Victimology, which as the title suggests, dove into the study of victims. I chose this course for my experience as I wanted to better understand the complexities of human trafficking and this class gave me a new perspective I and many others skip over: the victim of crimes. Just a few things we learned were the victim–offender overlap, the role of the victim in the criminal justice system, and the impact of victimization on individuals. We looked into many real cases that happened in and around Ireland which provided me with a more in-depth history of where I was living. The course highlighted the importance of examining both the offender and victim in human trafficking, and other crimes alike.

While my beyond-the-classroom experience was filled with learning, meeting new people, and so much more, I also truly enjoyed my overall experience abroad. I met some of the loveliest people from all over the United States and the world. These people are friends that I know will be a part of my life for a very long time. They were a part of the scariest, most exciting, and most wonderful time of my life. I was able to truly learn how to be independent and navigate a world I really knew nothing about. This was the first time I had gone to an entirely new country traveling all by myself. I not only made it to Ireland on my own, but figured out public transportation, an entirely new way of schooling, and all new aspects of day-to-day life. I left behind the only world I had known. Not to mention all my family and friends. I personally grew more than I could have ever imagined in the three months I lived in Ireland. I was able to see some beautiful towns, cities, people, and places that I will forever be grateful for.

I grew up in Missoula, MT, and have lived here all my life. I am fortunate to be from this town and will likely settle down here someday. However, studying abroad was one of the best choices I have ever made for myself. It pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and test how capable I am of doing things on my own. I am proud of what I did and how I handled myself. My time abroad provided a completely unfamiliar learning experience I could not have got any other way.