Hello! My name is Daniel Martin, and from September to December 2024 I studied abroad in Cork, Ireland at University College Cork (UCC). My global theme is Resources and Sustainability, and my global challenge is how to use governmental policy to solve environmental problems such as climate change, especially in rural states like Montana. I used my experience to better understand and work towards the resolution of my challenge because Ireland is a vastly different place than Montana, and by understanding its environment, people, and issues, I could prepare for similar analysis back home in Montana. A key part of my experience was a class I took at UCC called People, Places, & Politics: Ireland 1660-1960. In this class, we took a deep dive into understanding Ireland’s past and present through the lens of the country’s relationship between environment and people. In one particular lesson we looked at how land was used by various groups throughout Ireland’s history to control populations and how those policies were able to enact, or failed to enact, lasting change in Irish history. 

Cork City at Dusk

Alongside the courses I took at UCC, I also learned innumerable things from travelling throughout the country and experiencing the environments and communities that existed in Ireland. From the rocky coasts of County Sligo to the hilly farmland of County of Meath and from the distinctively British culture of Northern Ireland to the Irish-speaking areas such as the Dingle Peninsula, I was able to take my learning outside the classroom for an even more amazing experience. I was also fortunate enough to travel throughout Europe, where I expanded my cultural immersion. On one particular trip I visited Brussels and visited the headquarters of the EU, an organization whose climate and environmental policies, including their Net Zero plans, were key to understanding Europe and Ireland’s approach to climate change and sustainability.

One of the coolest things about Ireland I learned while on my semester abroad is that Ireland’s nickname, the Emerald Isle, is partially due to its prime environment for growing grasses. All this grass allows Ireland to be a world leader in wool production, which it uses for its famous sweaters, and butter production, thanks to the especially productive dairy cows on the island.

My favorite part of the semester in Ireland was exploring the incredible outdoor opportunities the country offered. In one of my favorite trips, I took the train from Cork to a city north of Dublin called Drogheda, not far from the border with Northern Ireland. Beginning in Drogheda is a long-distance hiking trail called the Boyne Valley Camino, which is part of the larger Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. I spent an entire day hiking this trail, which took me through lush farmlands, ancient battlefields, and finished at a Cistercian Abbey from 1142. This hike allowed me to truly experience the Irish outdoors while also exploring the rich history of Ireland.

The Ruins of Old Mellifont Abbey near Drogheda, Ireland

Me on a trip to the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway

As I reflect on the 16 weeks I spent in Ireland, it is amazing to reminisce about everything I experienced, all the people I met, and the things I learned. I highly recommend a semester abroad for anyone who may be interested, it truly is a life changing experience. Of course, I could not have done it without the generous support of the Franke Global Leadership Initiative, of whom I am very grateful.