.Iche’la Carter won a Baldwin Prize Travel Grant that allowed her to study in Ireland. In the interview below, she talks about her experience. The transcript has been edited for space and clarity.
Why did you want to go abroad?
Going abroad has always been a distinct dream, but I never thought it would be possible until later in life. When I won the Baldwin Prize travel award, that's when it became possible. Once I got my passport, I thought: Wow, this is real. Like, I'm really about to go somewhere on a plane, really far away.
How did you choose where you would study? What factors motivated you?
I always wanted to go to Europe. It’s a vibe, a way of life, and I always just had a feeling in me, telling me to go to Europe. It's just something I've always been interested in when it came to places, because not only is Europe a vibe, I also love that I can learn a new language.
What were you expecting before you departed?
So, we live in a world of social media. And I just prepared at home. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos, and did some research, and read over the different pamphlets and everything that CIEE, the tour operator, provides. But no matter how much research I did, nothing could have prepared me for what was there. I didn’t want to be in an awkward situation, so I was looking up the different slang and stuff like that, just seeing the stuff about the culture, and I would say I was a bit worried about the cultural difference. When you go somewhere else where everybody doesn't look like you, it's very eye-opening and different. But when I went there I realized there is a lot of diversity. Especially in the inner city where there are people from everywhere. But Black people are still a minority. That was something that I just had to get used to.
How was your program structured? What did your days and weeks look like?
My program was three weeks. We were given a daily schedule. It told us everything we would do hour to hour, every day. It was very structured. I understand that it helps because we don’t know anything about the country and the specifics. I was told that in prior years there was too much free time. But I felt the program doesn’t allow much freedom, I couldn’t fully relax and enjoy being there. For example, during the day we had class. I had to wake up myself and wake up my buddies or vice-versa. Then we would all travel in a group on public transportation to the college and then take our classes. Then we would either go sightseeing, visit a museum, or go out to eat. The food was delicious. I had one of the best burgers in my life in Ireland. It was so great. I enjoyed that we had a lot to do, but I just wish we had a little more free time to do whatever we wanted.
Describe the type of people you met.
Everybody was so joyful and full of life–the people on the streets, in the shops, people within the program–always smiling and joking. They have a great sense of humor. They're so sarcastic. If you don't have a sense of humor, don't go to Ireland. I remember I would walk into a store and the merchant would just say something you just wouldn't expect them to. I think it was so cool. Also, they were very welcoming to foreigners. But like any other place, there are sketchy people, so you just have to watch out for that.
Describe one or two people you met who really stood out to you.
I met this one lady who gave us tours. She lived in Ireland. I remember she was very bubbly. Often, she would tell us her childhood stories from growing up in Ireland. Her spirit was very bright. And another group of people that I remember are those I studied with. We were all from the US but from different parts. I was the only one from Maryland, so it was very cool to see people who have lived in the same country as me but grown up differently. It’s very interesting to be around people who have experienced so many different things from me, and I made a lot of friends, who I still talk to. We were all in a different country for almost a month with people we didn't know. So it’s a guarantee that you will make friends, because you build connections through these different and unique experiences. Being away from home for the first time, feeling lonely and homesick, but we were all in this together. It's a bonding experience. I assure you, you will not walk away from this without meeting some awesome people.
Were you surprised by anything you experienced? If yes, what surprised you?
I was surprised by the whole thing. For example, the airport. The process at the airport was long. You have to make sure you have everything. I had everything, but they still questioned me like crazy. Another thing was Subway, the sandwich shop. One day I wanted a Subway sandwich. So I got to the Subway, but most of the things were different there. I was expecting a few things to be different from the US menu, but I didn't expect everything on the menu to be different. So I got a sandwich, which was not bad, but it was not what I expected. It was shocking. Of course, it catered to the Irish palate. It was a bit of a cultural shock.
Will this experience change anything you do or the way you think going forward?
This made me feel unafraid to travel. Now I just want to go somewhere, go out of the country, and I want to do it every year for the rest of my life. So going forward, I'm prepared to do any kind of traveling. And this has just made me question my future and whether I want to live in the US. Maybe one day I might want to live somewhere else, outside the US. Another interesting thing is that it changed my perception of how I look at politics and how I look at money. I got to compare currencies and political systems. It changed my view of everything; now I start noticing the day-to-day positives and negatives.
What are your recommendations for other young people who might consider doing this?
Personally, I was terrified of doing this. Halfway through, I didn't know if I could do this anymore. But I'm really happy that I didn't give up, because it was such a great experience. I would do it all over again, if I could. It was an awesome experience. I would tell other young people to not be scared. Don't be scared to reach out for help. I was determined to figure everything out on my own, and that's why I was stressing more than I should have. Another thing I would say is document your experience. I wrote and took lots of pictures and videos.
Pack accordingly. I thought I’d packed well. I researched the weather, and it said that it would be summertime in Ireland, so I didn't bring a coat. But it felt like winter in Ireland. It was freezing. I just had a jacket that I brought with me.
Last, I would tell young people that it was a blessing to have won the Baldwin lPrize. If you have the opportunity, take it!
Why did you want to go abroad?
Going abroad has always been a distinct dream, but I never thought it would be possible until later in life. When I won the Baldwin Prize travel award, that's when it became possible. Once I got my passport, I thought: Wow, this is real. Like, I'm really about to go somewhere on a plane, really far away.
How did you choose where you would study? What factors motivated you?
I always wanted to go to Europe. It’s a vibe, a way of life, and I always just had a feeling in me, telling me to go to Europe. It's just something I've always been interested in when it came to places, because not only is Europe a vibe, I also love that I can learn a new language.
What were you expecting before you departed?
So, we live in a world of social media. And I just prepared at home. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos, and did some research, and read over the different pamphlets and everything that CIEE, the tour operator, provides. But no matter how much research I did, nothing could have prepared me for what was there. I didn’t want to be in an awkward situation, so I was looking up the different slang and stuff like that, just seeing the stuff about the culture, and I would say I was a bit worried about the cultural difference. When you go somewhere else where everybody doesn't look like you, it's very eye-opening and different. But when I went there I realized there is a lot of diversity. Especially in the inner city where there are people from everywhere. But Black people are still a minority. That was something that I just had to get used to.
How was your program structured? What did your days and weeks look like?
My program was three weeks. We were given a daily schedule. It told us everything we would do hour to hour, every day. It was very structured. I understand that it helps because we don’t know anything about the country and the specifics. I was told that in prior years there was too much free time. But I felt the program doesn’t allow much freedom, I couldn’t fully relax and enjoy being there. For example, during the day we had class. I had to wake up myself and wake up my buddies or vice-versa. Then we would all travel in a group on public transportation to the college and then take our classes. Then we would either go sightseeing, visit a museum, or go out to eat. The food was delicious. I had one of the best burgers in my life in Ireland. It was so great. I enjoyed that we had a lot to do, but I just wish we had a little more free time to do whatever we wanted.
Describe the type of people you met.
Everybody was so joyful and full of life–the people on the streets, in the shops, people within the program–always smiling and joking. They have a great sense of humor. They're so sarcastic. If you don't have a sense of humor, don't go to Ireland. I remember I would walk into a store and the merchant would just say something you just wouldn't expect them to. I think it was so cool. Also, they were very welcoming to foreigners. But like any other place, there are sketchy people, so you just have to watch out for that.
Describe one or two people you met who really stood out to you.
I met this one lady who gave us tours. She lived in Ireland. I remember she was very bubbly. Often, she would tell us her childhood stories from growing up in Ireland. Her spirit was very bright. And another group of people that I remember are those I studied with. We were all from the US but from different parts. I was the only one from Maryland, so it was very cool to see people who have lived in the same country as me but grown up differently. It’s very interesting to be around people who have experienced so many different things from me, and I made a lot of friends, who I still talk to. We were all in a different country for almost a month with people we didn't know. So it’s a guarantee that you will make friends, because you build connections through these different and unique experiences. Being away from home for the first time, feeling lonely and homesick, but we were all in this together. It's a bonding experience. I assure you, you will not walk away from this without meeting some awesome people.
Were you surprised by anything you experienced? If yes, what surprised you?
I was surprised by the whole thing. For example, the airport. The process at the airport was long. You have to make sure you have everything. I had everything, but they still questioned me like crazy. Another thing was Subway, the sandwich shop. One day I wanted a Subway sandwich. So I got to the Subway, but most of the things were different there. I was expecting a few things to be different from the US menu, but I didn't expect everything on the menu to be different. So I got a sandwich, which was not bad, but it was not what I expected. It was shocking. Of course, it catered to the Irish palate. It was a bit of a cultural shock.
Will this experience change anything you do or the way you think going forward?
This made me feel unafraid to travel. Now I just want to go somewhere, go out of the country, and I want to do it every year for the rest of my life. So going forward, I'm prepared to do any kind of traveling. And this has just made me question my future and whether I want to live in the US. Maybe one day I might want to live somewhere else, outside the US. Another interesting thing is that it changed my perception of how I look at politics and how I look at money. I got to compare currencies and political systems. It changed my view of everything; now I start noticing the day-to-day positives and negatives.
What are your recommendations for other young people who might consider doing this?
Personally, I was terrified of doing this. Halfway through, I didn't know if I could do this anymore. But I'm really happy that I didn't give up, because it was such a great experience. I would do it all over again, if I could. It was an awesome experience. I would tell other young people to not be scared. Don't be scared to reach out for help. I was determined to figure everything out on my own, and that's why I was stressing more than I should have. Another thing I would say is document your experience. I wrote and took lots of pictures and videos.
Pack accordingly. I thought I’d packed well. I researched the weather, and it said that it would be summertime in Ireland, so I didn't bring a coat. But it felt like winter in Ireland. It was freezing. I just had a jacket that I brought with me.
Last, I would tell young people that it was a blessing to have won the Baldwin lPrize. If you have the opportunity, take it!
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