Hi everyone! My name is Maddie McCann-Colvard, and I am currently studying at Trinity College Dublin this semester. Back at Pitt, I am majoring in Finance, minoring in Studio Arts, and earning certificates in Leadership & Ethics and Nonprofit Management. I chose this combination of academic interests to reflect my long-term career goal of working in finance within a nonprofit arts space.

I decided to study in Ireland because of its rich history and my familial ties to the country. I first visited Ireland about six years ago with my family and my maternal grandmother. We traveled to the place where she was born and visited other family members who still live in Ireland and England. Ever since that trip, I knew that if I had the opportunity, Ireland was where I wanted to spend a semester abroad during college. I am very thankful that I finally get the opportunity!

Some of my goals for this program are to join at least one society (what they call student organizations here) and to explore more of the country. I’ve already been able to travel to Galway since arriving, and I’m hoping to visit Cork as well! (Here’s a picture of the Cliffs of Moher from my trip to Galway.)

Yesterday was my first day of classes at Trinity College Dublin! I’m taking three classes at Trinity along with a part-time internship. It was interesting to attend my first module (class) abroad. My first lecture was two hours long and mostly served as an introduction to the course. It felt fairly similar to the first day of class at Pitt, but the biggest difference I’ve noticed so far is the grading system. For this class in particular, I’m being assessed through one group project and one cumulative final exam. I’m a little nervous about that, but hopefully the tutorials (what they call recitations here) will help reinforce the lecture content.

I’m living in Dublin 8, in the Liberties, while I’m here in Dublin. I really enjoy being close to Trinity (about a 30-minute walk) and other historic landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grafton Street, and Dublin Castle. I live in a flat with seven other girls! We all have our own bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and we share a kitchen, living room, and balcony. I’m really enjoying living with so many girls because there’s always someone to hang out with before and after class!

More later,

Maddie