Falling in Love with Ireland

By: Michael D. Smith ’19

The journey from Monroe, Connecticut, to Dublin, Ireland, has been one of discovery, travel, and love for Amanda Thornley ’16.

Back when Amanda lived in America, she was an active member of the Marywood community, serving as President of the English Club. Her favorite classes were Mystical Writers, with its unique perspective, and Writing and Cultural Studies, which she said had a heavy influence on her writing style. A defining moment occurred in her junior year when she studied abroad in Galway, Ireland. Amanda said she immediately “fell in love with the culture.” The people in Ireland “don’t take themselves too seriously,” she said, and their idea of work-life balance is much healthier than the American corporate world’s.

But the culture wasn't all she found to love. Amanda said she met “someone special” one night at a school function. When her trip ended, she knew she wanted to come back to Ireland.

So, after graduating from Marywood with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and minors in Writing and Public Relations, Amanda moved to Dublin to earn her Master’s in Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the Dublin City University. She completed her master’s degree in 2017. Later that year, she began working in the Communications and Marketing Department at Dublin City University. In her role as Social Media and Marketing Officer, she maintains the school’s social media accounts and works to increase engagement with students.

Interacting with Irish teenagers can be difficult for an American, Amanda admitted. She still has to ask her colleagues to explain Irish slang sometimes. But, after two years of living in the country, she “can barely hear the accent.” Amanda’s found more than love in Ireland; she’s found a new home.

The Marywood Alumni Travel Program is back, too, and we hope you can join us as we travel through Ireland in Summer 2019!

In partnership with alumna Dolores “Dolly” DiRienzo Michalczyk ’70 and her husband, Joe, along with Collette Travel, from June 26-July 5, 2019, join us as we:

• Kiss the Blarney Stone!
• Stand on the Cliffs of Moher!
• Stay overnight on the grounds of a regal castle!
• And more!

For More Information and to Register:

Call 570-961-4725

Email [email protected].

Visit www.marywood.edu/alumnitravel to view more trips scheduled for the year!