When Lily Pouliot, Cybersecurity ‘26, first stepped into Dublin International Airport, she knew there would be a culture shock. The familiar comforts of Burlington were 3,000 miles—or 4,800 kilometers—away. “I had all of the supplies I needed,” Lily said, “but the idea of spending months abroad in a city that I have never been to felt off putting and strange. Even though I knew I was prepared, mentally I was not.” It was the first time Lily would be so far away for so long.
In the Arrivals Hall of the airport, Lily met Program Director Stephen Robinson. He escorted her to the Highlight Student Accommodation, 32 Thomas Street, Dublin 8. The Highlight hosts students from all over the world in the hyperlocal neighborhood of the Liberties. Champlain-hired residence assistants welcomed Lily and her cohort in the common room, where the students ate pizza and met the staff. Orientation kicked off the following day, which included information about local safety, budgeting tips, academic goals, and culture shock. Lily needed some time to adjust to the new environment. Although everyone spoke English, she needed to decipher their thick accents and Irish slang. Dublin was a big city with lots of people. Lily reflected, “You need to put yourself out there to learn about these different culture changes.”
Class began the following week. Lily took five classes, similar to her course load in Burlington, with one being virtual. However, the homework was less time-consuming because the classwork was very hands-on. Her biggest project was the final paper for her two major-related classes. She also took Earth science with a lab. Her core classes included COR-301: Introduction to Irish Culture and COR-302: Northern Ireland. COR-302 was her favorite class because Liz Gillis “is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable in her work and is more than happy to teach anyone who is willing to listen.” Additionally, this class raised money for charity by creating a historical walk around the Liberties.
On class days, Lily packed and prepped her breakfast and lunch in the shared kitchen of the Highlight student accommodation. This way, she could save money and time. Although it is possible to catch a bus to campus, the route is out of the way, so Lily walked 30 minutes to the Academic Centre at 43 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. She only had one or two classes a day, each for three hours, that met once a week. The classes usually involved lectures and discussions. She recommends packing a notebook.
Between research assignments for her Ireland-related classes, Lily worked on her 18-page cybersecurity ethics final paper. She and her fellow ITS majors had the opportunity to attend the 2024 IRISS Conference. Their tickets were paid for by their tuition, facilitated by the Champlain staff. The conference provided insight into the cybersecurity issues and solutions of Irish companies, including the Dublin police department. This was a great experience for networking abroad.
By the end of the semester, Lily had grown to adore Dublin. She hopes to move to Ireland and find a job after graduation. She agreed to an interview about her experience to “spread more awareness for studying abroad in Ireland.” To anyone thinking about going abroad, Lily said, “Don’t hesitate. If you even have a small urge to try it out, go for it. Taking the chance can be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
