As the Haller Global Fellowship comes to an end, I reflect on the 4 weeks I’ve had during the program. Personally, I would say that was the fastest four weeks of my life, yet also the most knowledgeable. This program enabled me to a whole new level of experience, especially before my freshman year. I…
Tag: Haller Global Honors Fellowship
Who Really Benefits From Donegal’s Tourism?
This week gave me a closer look at how tourism actually works in Donegal. At the Downings Festival, it felt like the whole community showed up: local families, teenagers, people from nearby towns, and plenty of visitors who clearly traveled in for the weekend. The festival didn’t feel like something built for tourists; it felt…
Embracing the Unpredictable
After two full days exploring Donegal’s landscapes, I have accepted that the weather here is not just part of the scenery but the main character. Glenveagh shifted moods every few minutes, bouncing between sunlight and ominous fog as if it couldn’t decide which mood it wanted. Doe Castle felt uniquely dramatic with gray skies. Sliabh…
Seeing Carrigart Through Its First Impressions
Our first visit to Carrigart felt different from anything I imagined back in Pittsburgh. We spent two weeks talking about this town, looking at photos, and trying to picture what it might be like, but actually being here made me realize how much you miss when you’re only hearing about a place instead of walking…
The Quiet Parts of Donegal County
This morning in Fanad, it was clear how important Carrigart is to the people who live on the peninsula. Fanad felt peaceful and remote, but that also means everyday necessities aren’t always close by. Carrigart seems to act as the community’s main hub, a place where people can buy groceries, visit local businesses, access services,…
Errigal!!! Including the Atlantic Way and the Downings Festival
This morning a little group of us got up bright and early to summit the largest mountain in Donegal county. The hike was breathtaking, and when we reached to the top, I really took in how lovely Ireland was. It really reminded me that “wow, I’m really here,” while having the overview of the entire…
Sliabh Cliffs and More Exciting Architecture
Over the past two days, I realized that the weather is just as much a part of Donegal as the landscapes themselves. At Glenveagh, the overcast skies made the park feel peaceful and almost mysterious, while the light rain gave the forests and mountains a deeper green color. At Sliabh Liag, we had a perfectly…
Tourism, Traffic, and Who Actually Benefits
This week gave us a front row seat to a few very different kinds of tourism in Donegal, and it’s made me think a lot harder about what it actually takes for a visitor to become an economic asset instead of just a pass by. The Downings Festival felt like the clearest win for the…
Seeing Northern Ireland Through Its Stories
The past few days in Northern Ireland have shown me just how differently places can tell their stories. One moment we’re standing on the edge of Giant’s Causeway, staring at rock formations that look like they came out of “The Lord of the Rings”, and the next we’re walking beside the Peace Walls or along…
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