Dearbhla McGuone - Eckerd College, Florida, USA

Study USA Programme, 2019/20

"With so many things to look forward to in the next few months, I don’t want this journey to end"

Everyone always says that January feels so long, that is certainly not the case when studying abroad. This is my fifth month in sunny Florida studying business, with interesting classes and amazing people. For the first semester I can’t deny it took me a while to settle in, this is why I am so glad that the Study USA programme is one year long.

I have just begun my second semester at Eckerd college which has allowed me to seek opportunities outside my chosen degree at Ulster which is Law. Through my classes I have explored business strategies and corporate social responsibilities which are inherently linked to my home degree. Therefore, I feel like Study USA has provided me with direction and motivation to achieve and to make contacts across the world.

I am looking forward to my classes this semester and strongly feel that the skills I have learnt through my semesters are transferable in regard to my home degree, and to my everyday life.

Lastly, not only have I become a member of the cheerleading team, EC Stingbays have just been registered as a competitive club sport and will have our first competition in April. This experience allowed me to be a part of a community which for me, was the "American Dream”. With so many things to look forward to in the next few months, I don’t want this journey to end.