McNair Scholars Perspectives: Falling Into Place Abroad

Written by Sophia Rameizl (McNair Scholar)

Hello from Cork! My name is Sophia Rameizl, and I am a sophomore McNair Scholar at Francis Marion
University studying Early Childhood Education and planning to graduate in the spring of 2026.
One of the biggest reasons I was drawn to the McNair scholarship program was its opportunity to
study abroad. I have always been passionate about traveling and discovering new places, but I
never thought I could live and study in a different country for five months. I am writing this blog
post almost two months into my semester abroad at the University College of Cork.

When deciding where to study abroad, I instantly fell in love with the idea of Ireland. I had heard great things about the culture, including the food, people, and environment. I was then faced with a choice between Carlow or Cork, both great options and beautiful areas, but something drew me to Cork, and I am so glad it did. I wanted to experience something different, and Cork offered that. UCC is a vast school with big classes and many options for visiting students. Like FMU, UCC also has countless clubs and societies you can join as a visiting student, which is a great way to meet new people. Moreover, I’ve grown to appreciate the “stress-free” learning environment that UCC provides.

Unlike FMU, I had to adjust to having much more free time and figuring out how to use that time most effectively. Most classes offered for visiting students only have a few assignments during the semester, one usually due halfway through and the other at the semester’s end. I quickly learned that my studies here rely on me and only me to succeed. Needless to say, you have to hold yourself accountable for prioritizing school. That being said, I am no stranger to having fun, and I am incredibly grateful for the
friends I’ve made and the people I have experienced this semester with. I genuinely believe you can make some of your closest friends studying abroad as you’re all there to embrace cultures
and lifestyles you have never experienced.

One of the first things I noticed when studying abroad is that most people are very eager to take advantage of every travel opportunity, and I have been no exception to this rule. Ireland is an easy country to travel around; you can hop on a bus or train and get anywhere within a few hours. I have gone on weekend trips to Dublin, Galway, Cobh, and many other stunning places. My favorite part about the experience so far has been the many opportunities I have had to see this beautiful land. Making things even more accessible for student-explorers like me have been the many international student organizations affiliated with the university. It is owing to these groups that I have been able to schedule some of the best and most affordable trips, in addition to experiencing so many wonderfully entertaining social events.

Nevertheless, I was nervous about going abroad and leaving my family and friends at home. But I quickly realized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I don’t want to waste one moment not embracing it. In summary, and despite all the rain, I am so grateful for the opportunity FMU afforded me to study at the University College of Cork. I know my life has
been changed for the better, and for that, I am eternally grateful.