Margaret Kern
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Majors: Public Policy and Environmental Studies; Minor: History
Program: Trinity College Dublin
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Email: mkern@unc.edu
Term: Spring 2023
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
One of my main priorities for my time at Carolina was to find a way to study abroad. I knew I wanted to go to a country that spoke English considering I am not bilingual and I did not want to have the challenge of a language barrier when I left the United States for the first time. I chose Dublin because it is not a giant city and I knew that Trinity College would have a lot of classes that I could transfer back to UNC. I absolutely loved Dublin and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to study abroad in Europe.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned how to be independent and how to travel confidently. Before study abroad I did not have the confidence to travel on my own. However, having the opportunity to travel around Europe gave me the chance to learn how to be more confident and taught me how to navigate various challenges.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
St. Patricks Day in Dublin was an amazing experience. Over one-million people came to the city and the celebrations were incredible.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
I think it is important to take in every moment while you are abroad, despite any uncertainties. Studying abroad will give you some of the best experiences of your time in college and while there are challenges that come with being abroad, the life experiences that you gain make it all worthwhile.
Memories
