During orientation week (which was 4 weeks ago – time is going so fast!), our program directors asked us what we thought the American stereotypes were to Europeans; amongst other negative adjectives, competitive was repeated many times in our group. Prior to coming to Ireland, I never thought of Americans as overly competitive individuals, but after four weeks in Dublin, I understand why; the American lifestyle is completely different. The best example I can think of is sports.
In my last post, I was looking forward to joining club sports here at University College Dublin, but as I found out, they have a completely different mentality here. At home, I both swam and rowed in high school and throughout their respective seasons I had practice six days a week for at least two hours a day. Basically, swimming and rowing consumed my life. At UCD, most sports teams practice twice a week and they are optional practices; it is so relaxed!
I was really hoping to join the swim team, but I found out the team practices once (yes, just one time a week for just one hour) during one of my classes, unfortunately. I was at a complete loss for words when I learned this, and it suddenly became obvious to me why Americans are perceived as competitive: sports consume our lives so much that it is an actual disappointment if we do not succeed.
Also, in America, every child dreams of being a Major League baseball player, a NFL linebacker, a professional ballerina, etc. In Ireland, the only professional sport is rugby. All other sports are played by amateurs.
A few weeks ago the all-Ireland Gaelic football final took place in Dublin. Gaelic football is a mix between soccer, basketball and rugby. Dublin played the final against County Kerry. One of my roommates is from Kerry and was very excited for this game (unfortunately for her, Dublin won). However, it was a different type of pride and excitement than American sports.
When the Yankees are in the playoffs, my family and I are all excited and we watch all the games and talk about the wins and losses and players stats. Instead, the Irish talk about the players. The star of the Kerry team is the bank teller in my roommate’s town; the athletes are ordinary people.
Can you imagine having Derek Jeter as the bank teller in your town during the day and winning the World Series at night, all on just a bank teller’s salary?!
People in Ireland play their sports not to win, not to be the best, not to make a lot of money, but just simply because they love to play and they love to represent their home county.
During orientation, we had the opportunity to learn Gaelic football and hurling. Both take a lot of skill and agility and it is definitely harder than it looks!
Along with the shock from the sports clubs, during Freshers’ Week I had the opportunity to be star struck when James and Oliver Phelps (aka Fred and George Weasley) spoke on campus. They discussed their experiences growing up as Harry Potter characters and life post-Harry. It was very interesting!
This past weekend I took my first of many weekend trips! I went to London to visit fellow Fordham students and I continued being the ultimate tourist. In the two and a half days in London, we managed to go into Tower London, the Crown Jewels, Westminister Abbey (William and Kate’s wedding church), St. Paul’s Church (Charles and Diana’s wedding church), Harrod’s, Hyde Park, Green Park and the London Eye! It was a lot for such a short time, but definitely worth it! And of course, it is always nice to see Fordham friends!
This coming weekend I plan to visit some sites in Ireland! And obviously continue with all my school work!