Hello! My name is Elizabeth Krutchen, and I am a second-year undergraduate Civil & Environmental Engineering student at GW. I am on exchange at the University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland this spring semester. It is crazy to think that seven weeks have passed since I flew into Dublin in January. These weeks have been so unique, exciting, and a wonderful learning experience. I constantly feel myself growing and changing as my perspective broadens.
Before this semester, I knew I needed to maintain my daily routine and self-care habits to stay grounded. It is not anything crazy, but I take time to walk, stretch, read, and journal every day. There is always some event or hang-out I can go to, but it is essential to set aside time for yourself to think and process. By keeping a diary, I get a souvenir from my exchange and a place to express my emotions and stay in check with my well-being. Though I have seen many rainbows here, not every day can be sunshine and rainbows.
One of the challenging components of studying abroad is the fear of missing out. I only get one semester abroad, so I feel guilty if I do not take advantage of every single second. The reality is that you cannot make every event or see every sight. I remind myself that I am so lucky to experience whatever I can and that it is okay to slow down. I have been running on adrenaline most of the time, but periodically I need a day (or two) where I chill and do not do much. There is still beauty in an uneventful day in Ireland. Even if I do not have “exciting” plans, sitting with my international friends and learning about their homes is just as important.
Another important thing to note about my exchange program is the studying component. My engineering major has a relatively strict four-year plan, so I am taking 5 engineering modules at UCD. It is not a light course load, but the teaching style here is much more flexible and self-paced than at GW. All of my modules are lecture-based and meet multiple times a week, with a few labs mixed in. I have a few homework assignments; group projects and final exams make up most of my grades. This learning style can be tricky, but I make sure to stay on top of my lectures and work through practice problems daily. Without so many deadlines, it gives me more freedom to work ahead and save my weekends for exploring.
Dublin is a great place to be based for day trips around the island. Plus, the bus and train system is very extensive and can get you to all the tourist spots and more. Ireland is such a beautiful place, even in winter. The sun is out almost every day, the grass is always a vibrant green, and flowers are starting to bloom. My favorite weekend activity is hiking somewhere new on the island or taking a stroll along one of the many beaches. And when there are inevitably rainy days, I always head to an art gallery, museum, or castle. The history and culture here are so rich and complex–I never tire of learning more about it.
Aside from Dublin, I have taken a few weekend trips and have a few more in the works. I went hiking with a group in Northern Ireland, which has such breathtaking scenery and mountain ranges. Sitting on the cliffside of Giant’s Causeway is still my favorite memory so far. I was also lucky enough to visit London for four jam-packed days. I filled my days with walking, monuments, museums, churches, palaces, and parks. I could not get over the intricate architecture, especially that of Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. I had so many peaceful moments sitting in parks or gardens, having a picnic while admiring the many swans swimming about the lakes. My most recent trip was to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City. Even though I previously walked the cliffs in Howth, Bray, and Wicklow, I could not stop myself from saying, “Wow.”
I am so grateful to be in a country as welcoming and beautiful as Ireland. My semester has been packed with so many great adventures, and I cannot wait to see what is next.
Elizabeth Krutchen
Spring 2025
GW Exchange - University College Dublin
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Civil Engineering Major