Anyone could imagine how hard it would be to leave a familiar and comfortable area to explore something completely different. Matt McColgan, a Belfast, Ireland native and a current junior at Cabrini, can relate to this experience as he transitions to the American lifestyle.
“Cabrini College is a small school, it’s a good school,” McColgan said. “I enjoy the classes that I take.”
McColgan, like the previous students from Ireland, was accepted with open arms by students in what McColgan describes as an “approachable and friendly” manner.
McColgan lives in the suburbs of Ireland with his large family of seven including his parents, three brothers, one
Anyone could imagine how hard it would be to leave a familiar and comfortable area to explore something completely different. Matt McColgan, a Belfast, Ireland native and a current junior at Cabrini, can relate to this experience as he transitions to the American liftersyle.“Cabrini College is a small school, it’s a good school,” McColgan said. “I enjoy the classes that I take.”McColgan, like the previous students from Ireland, was accepted with open arms by students in what McColgan describes as an “approachable and friendly” manner.McColgan lives in the suburbs of Ireland with his large family of seven including his parents, three brothers, one sister and Dalmatian dog.
“I love where I live,” McColgan said. “I’m not too far away from anything.”
This is not McColgan’s first time leaving his home. McColgan studied at a prep school in Albany, New York when he was 16 years old.
“When I found out that Matt had been accepted onto the BEI Program it was a big shock to begin with,” Harriet Webb-Crozier, Matt’s girlfriend of five years, said. “But then you realize how exciting it is and an amazing opportunity.”
“Being away from family and friends isn’t easy,” McColgan said. “However, the experiences and friendships I have made out here make it all worthwhile.”
Making friends was not a hard thing for McColgan to do at all despite his slight difference in culture.
“I guess a lot of Americans can relate to the Irish because a lot of Americans have Irish relatives,” McClogan said.
For those who have traveled to different places, it is known that the pronunciation of words can change from area to area.
“I know some people find it difficult to understand what I am saying at times,” McColgan said. “Some words mean different things here than they do at home.”
A difference in the meaning of words may be a problem when traveling but McColgan has learned a lot from his roommates and other friends at school.
“If I have learned anything from Matt it has to be the difference in the words we use to call things,” Nick Casey, junior communication major, said. “Like when he said he needs fairy liquid, which means cleaning solution.”
Having a student from a different country around can be a great way to learn things about different cultures. McColgan has taught so many people things about his culture.
“I have learned that two places so far away are so similar,” John Solewin, senior political science major, said.
“He’s a good guy and he is always there to help out,” Kristopher Ryan, senior communication major, said. “He gives great advice and he is an overall good guy.”
“He is funny,” Ryan said. “And it’s not because of his accent.”
Since he has been here, McColgan has gotten the opportunity to do so many things. First semester he played on the basketball team, which he says was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun.
He also had the opportunity to do some traveling including a trip to Atlantic City and New York City.
“I have been asked some strange questions like ‘how long did it take you on the boat to get here?’” McColgan said. “The people that asked me those questions will remain nameless.”
After spending a good amount of time away from home and in a different country, McColgan can reflect on his time.
“I wouldn’t really say there isn’t anything I haven’t enjoyed about being here, but I have missed home a lot,” McColgan said. “There have been a lot of people that have helped me out. I feel a lot of people have really made an effort to get to know me and it has been great.”
