Luck of the Irish
For University of Indianapolis junior Renee Zeltwanger, living in the plush Irish countryside is no longer a distant dream but part of her everyday life. This semester, Zeltwanger, an exercise science, pre-physical therapy major at UIndy, is studying abroad at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland.
“I have always heard that Ireland is beautiful, so I wanted to travel here to see for myself,” Zeltwanger said.
Zeltwanger chose to study in Limerick because she would have the accessibility to travel around Europe, classes would transfer back toward her major and it was one of the most cost-efficient destinations she came across during her searching process.
“For me, the cost is a little more than at UIndy,” Zeltwanger said. “Some of my scholarships did not transfer, but I definitely think the opportunity is worth the extra cost.”
Zeltwanger is hard-pressed to think of any drawbacks that apply to her experience so far in Limerick.
“Of course, I miss my family and friends, and I also miss the convenience of just calling people. We have to keep in touch through Facebook and Skype,” she said. “Other than that, there aren’t many negatives I can think of at all.”
Photo contributed by Renee Zeltwanger
At least one familiar face keeps Zeltwanger company so far away from home. Junior Lindsay Campbell is one of Zeltwanger’s roommates and is also a UIndy student studying abroad in Limerick.
“I live with Lindsay Campbell from UIndy and four Irish girls. We all have our own rooms and bathrooms but share a kitchen and living room,” Zeltwanger said.
Although Zeltwanger appreciates having a familiar face in a sea of new ones, she said that meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and seeing the sights that Ireland has to offer have been the biggest rewards of her Irish experience so far.
“It’s all been so amazingly beautiful,” Zeltwanger said. “But if I had to choose one sight as the most breathtaking, it would be the Cliffs of Moher. They are incredible cliffs up to 200 meters [656 feet] tall on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Zeltwanger encourages all students to consider studying in another country. She said that looking into destinations early is key to having a wider variety of options for study abroad destinations. She further explained that finding schools that offer general education courses is typically easier than finding a school that offers an advanced course in a specific major.
Because Zeltwanger is interested in pursuing a degree in physical therapy, she had to find a school that offered advanced sports science and exercise science courses that would transfer back to the UIndy campus.
This ultimately led her to Limerick, where she is taking classes such as “Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis” and “Nutrition, Exercise Metabolism and Sports Performance.” However, between her intensive line-up of exercise science classes, Zeltwanger also has found time to take a class on Irish song and dance to further enhance her cultural experience in Ireland.
Zeltwanger explained that the study abroad experience takes place in and outside of the classroom.
“Studying abroad is about meeting new people, hearing their story and just taking it all in,” she said.
Born and raised in Bremen, Ind., Zeltwanger returns to the Hoosier state on Dec. 20 and will be back on the UIndy campus next semester.
