The Clackamas print., January 22, 2020, Page 4, Image 4

A rts & culture
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY JONATHAN VILLAGOMEZ
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Famous for its lush green landscapes, ancient history and of
course, the Guinness, Ireland is a beautiful country that 31
vsçudgnts^ahd community members got to experience in the
final Weeks onfall term.
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Working alongside Dr. Niamh Hamill and John O’Connell of
the Instituteof Study Abroad Ireland (ISAI), the Clackamas
Community College Cougars spent two weeks learning about
the history of the Irish people and exploring the countrysides.
From the moment the students stepped off the airplane,
they were met with fresh cold air and rain similar to Oregon’s
climate. Throughout the two weeks there, students would
experience all diffèrent types of weather, from extreme hail, to
massive lightning storms with winds that would blow anyone.
over, quickly followed by clear skies and beaming sun, making a
memory of the massive storm witnessed minutes before.
Not only did CCC students get the chance to learn about the
history of Ireland, but they were also able to visit many of the
historic places that they had learned about.
“ I think the way ISAI structured the trip made every
moment memorable and an ideal Ireland experience. I think
the excursions were amazing, enabling students to apply
kinesthetic learning to our lectures,” said Laura Smith, the
administrative coordinator for campus services at CCC.
Every morning students would have a lecture after breakfast
where they learned about ancient Irish history, Irish emigration
and the great Irish famine, among other things. They learned
and got to see firsthand where the Derry/Londonderry Bloody
Sunday massacre occurred. On Jan. 30,1972, British soldiers
shot 28 people, of which 14 innocent civilians were killed
during a peaceful protest.
“ I really loved going to the museum and hearing from the
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family of the victims,” said CCC student Gloria Hartung. “ I
think we tend to paint England in a pretty good light, but we
should remember that governments can be cruel and corrupt
anywhere. What happened in Derry was horrific and I’ m so
“It’s definitely one o f the most stunning
scenic experiences I’ve been on -
spectacular views and some nice short
walks with plenty o f wind."
-Timothy Batdorf
happy they finally got vindicated in 2010.”
Throughout the trip, the group of Clackamas students
were able to witness some of the most beautiful parts of
Ireland, from the cliffs of Sliabh Liag which towered over the
north Atlantic ocean, to Yeats Country with its breathtaking
landscapes and home to one of the world’s greatest poets,
William B Yeats. The CCC students got to witness the sides of
Ireland most tourists never see.
“ It’ s definitely one of the most stunning scenic experiences
I’ve been on — spectacular views and some nice short walks
with plenty of wind. The drive to and |o m is nice too,” third
year student Timothy Batdorf said of the Sliabh Liag cliffs.
But not all trips go according to plan; Ryle Butler, a fourth-
year student was one-of the unlucky few who got sick shortly
after arriving in Ireland due to a viral infection. *
“ I just started feeling really sick at dinner and went to bed;
early,” said Butler. “ After a couple of hours, I felt really sick
and started throwing up. Then everyone helped me and John
took me to the hospital. It was interesting, there were a couple
of homeless wandering the halls [of the hospital] who seemed
to be not all there, but the staff was very friendly and helpful.
They didn’t have any rooms available so I had to be treated in
the hallway, but at least they treated me.”
Sue Mach, an English instructor who has visited Ireland three
times — twice with the college, said, “I think it’ s a magical
place. I can’t even explain it. There’s something so magical I
can’t put my finger on it.”
For students interested in traveling abroad, who maybe
haven’t made the decision to go, Mach said, “ Do it. Figureit
out. Almost every single person said ‘this trip changed my life ’
and that’s not an understatement. I’ve never had a student
say ‘this was worse than I thought it would be.’ Everyone said
‘this was beyond my expectations, I learned a lot about myself,
I made new friends’ I found that peoplewho have.gone on this
trip make lasting friendships. It’ s a transformative experience.
I would say to just do what you can to go.”
If you’re interested in traveling abroad, there are two
upcoming trips to join. There will be another trip to Ireland
in the fall of 2020 and a trip to France in the summer of 2021/
The 2019 trip cost roughly $3,000 and included airfare, lodging,
transportation, and most meals. Tuition was extra.
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The Sliabh Liag cliffs
Jan uary 22, 2020