Mixed Feelings

Getting closer to our trip to Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, I have found that I am no exception to a common phenomenon among travelers: mixed feelings during the couple of weeks before departure.

On the one hand, I am extremely excited to finally see some of the Celtic lands. I have been interested in Celtic culture since childhood and will now experience firsthand the people, scenery and culture of the region. Even though three weeks is a short time to visit any location, I hope and expect to gain knowledge and insight that I could not have gained by staying at home. Travel is an eye-opener and a mind-opener, and having remained in the United States since one high school trip abroad, I am ready to venture out again.

All of this excitement, though, remains tempered by what I will call nervousness, for lack of a better word. I have packed my passport, cash and long underwear; but I'm afraid of losing my luggage or forgetting something important. I have spent much of my break with family, friends and pets; but I know it will be hard to leave them. I feel prepared to meet new people and learn new things; but I am afraid of being culturally unprepared, perhaps offending someone or even getting pick-pocketed.

With such a new experience, I guess these feelings are natural. In fact, they even seem to thrive off of one another. From where, indeed, does excitement come if not a degree of uncertainty and danger? Having reflected and gained this realization, I feel a little more prepared to travel and meet with both enjoyment and challenge. These two things, at least, I am certain to find.

Welcome to the Blog!

At Maryville College, experiential education, especially through travel, is a vital part of what it means to become a well-rounded student of the liberal arts. To pursue this experience, we, sophomores Caroline Redmond and Elizabeth Newman, along with 15 other students, psychology professor Dr. Lori Schmied and biology professor Dr. Paul Threadgill, are embarking on a travel adventure to Wales and Northern Ireland during January 2009. In the SOC 200 "Celtic Connections with Appalachia" class, the group hopes to appreciate the rich Celtic culture, understand the effects of oppression by outside groups, recognize connections between the Celtic world and Appalachia, explore the natural history of the Celtic region and finally engage with actual people living in another culture. (Image above: Our group is posing for photographer Angela White after a December meeting. Notice the black t-shirts; we bought them custom-made!)

It will doubtlessly be an incredible journey! The following is our group's tentatively packed itinerary between flying out from and returning to Knoxville on Jan. 6 and 22, respectively:

For seven days in Wrexham, Wales, we plan to take a Celtic studies course at Glyndwr Univeristy and visit the Conwy and Caernarvon Castles.
For seven days in Belfast, Northern Ireland, we plan to take a city tour, visit the Ulster-American Folk Museum, see the Giant's Causeway, attend a social event with the Ulster-Scots agency and visit the Jackson home place and castle.
Finally, we plan to pass our last three days in Dublin, Ireland. (For your information, this is where our time is set on the blog.)

We, your hosts, want to send out a warm welcome! We hope to provide you with incredible descriptions and photos (from the group's photographers, Marissa Pullins and Angela White) throughout our experience. Keep checking for posts! We promise to write whenever we spot an Internet cafe nearby!