Homestay Weekend in Carragaline, Co. Cork.

So, part of the Arcadia program that I am enrolled in requires all students to participate in a homestay experience - where you live with an Irish family for a weekend.
My family lived in Carragaline, County Cork, and they were brilliant.
Bernadette was the mom, and immediately we became best friends. Her husband was a truck driver, and I only met him once when he explained to me how Belfast (Northern Ireland - which is mostly Protestant) made the Titanic and wouldn't let Catholics work on it, so while they were building the Titanic, Catholics were building icebergs. Yikes! There's that political and religious division I've heard so much about.
Anyway, Bernie had a German exchange student living with her as well, Charlotte, a 16 year old. I give that girl credit! I can't imagine living away from home for a year at that age, especially in a house without internet. Wow. Bernie also had a beautiful dog, Woody. We obviously became best pals for life.

I was kinda nervous about my homestay weekend, but I loved it. Home cooked meals, lots and lots of potatoes, and an exorbitant amount of tea. When an Irish person offers you tea, never say no. It's impolite. Even when it's your 8th cup of the day, when they look at you and say "you'll have a cup of tea?" you say "that'd be brilliant." I also loved talking with my homestay mom, Bernie. She has had over 150 international students stay with her, something unheard of in the states. Rural families in America would never be that connected to the international community. Props to Bernie.

The weekend was filled with food, tea, conversation, and lots of lots of TV. Irish people love the X-Factor and America's got Talent. Yikes. My "mom" and I did watch a Law and Order: SVU Marathon one night, which was grand. I also met every single member of Bernie's family. They all stop over for tea. I literally met more of her family than I've ever met of my own. We all drank tea together and ate potatoes. Fantastic. Also, Irish people like to talk politics, and they think they know more about American politics better than you do, so just listen, and agree with them. It's easier.

One day, Bernie drove me and my homestay partner, Mike, to a fishing town nearby called Kinsale. It was adorable. Mike and I explored the city, got homemade brownie sundaes at a cute ice cream shop, went to the beach, and found an old abandoned castle that we explored.

Kinsale!

Cool fort that Mike and I found in Kinsale

All in all, a lovely weekend. I miss ya already Bernie! It was great to have a homely experience, especially because I miss my mom so much. This experience definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but it was a great way to see how the Irish family works.