CAPA WORLD

Meet Brandon Mooney, an official CAPA blogger in Dublin for spring 2018:

University: Clark University
Major: Political Science
Study abroad location: Dublin, Ireland
Internship or volunteer placement: FoodCloud

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What are you most excited for during your study abroad semester?
I am most excited to experience a new culture and further develop my future career goals. Ireland offers a chance to live and fully immerse myself in an environment that is both alien and exciting, and the opportunity to reside outside of the U.S. for the length of spring semester is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. In addition, my internship placement will allow me to refine my vision of what I wish to do following graduation from college.

What are three of your hobbies and interests?
Three of my hobbies are exploring the outdoors, traveling, and cooking. I love to hike and get lost in nature, and also rock climb extensively. Travel has always appealed to me from a young age, and experiencing new things is a passion that I will carry to Ireland. I recently discovered an interest in cooking in college, and the opportunity to eat new dishes in Europe is very exciting.

What’s one personal goal you hope to achieve while abroad?
One personal goal I hope to achieve while abroad is to make local friends. I want to see Ireland through the eyes of a local rather than a foreign student, and having solely American friends, although they may be comforting and provide needed support away from home, seems limiting.

What’s one professional goal you hope to achieve while abroad?
One professional goal I hope to achieve while abroad is to discover a career that I wish to pursue. I am currently interested in politics and food/environmental policy, but this is an extremely broad conception of a career, and I hope that my internship will narrow my focus upon a single job to drive me after my study abroad experience is over.

What can we look forward to reading about in your posts?
You can look forward to reading about exciting locations and sights to see in Ireland, as I love to travel, along with a look at Dublin's many attractions ranging from restaurants to historical areas.

Anything else you’d like to say to people reading for the first time?
I would just like to say that I hope you enjoy my posts and that this blog gives you a better idea of what studying abroad in Dublin is like.

As each new post goes up, we'll share the links below, so bookmark this page:

• Why Now is the Right Time for Me to Study Abroad
• A New Environment Full of Promise
• Irish Sports: Gaelic Football and Hurling
• Exploring Dublin Through Its History
• Solo Hiking in Glendalough
• A Tour Around Portobello Neighborhood Near Griffith College
• Dublin as a Global Hub
• Why You Should Spend St. Patrick's Day in Dublin (and Not Anywhere Else)
• 10 Helpful Tips for a Stress-Free Break in Europe
• How College in Ireland Works
• A Day Trip to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway
• What to Expect When You Shop for Groceries in Dublin
• My Study Abroad Experience Has Changed How I Think About Cities
• My Global City: Why You Should Visit Belfast
• A Student Experience with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)
• A CAPA Chat: Blending In Nicely with Ireland
• 10 Best Parts About Dublin
• Intern Abroad in Dublin: Matching Food Retailers with Local Charities
• 10 Practical Ways to Fit In Better in Dublin
• Advice: Spend Your Time Exploring and Becoming Culturally Experienced