Guerriere,  a nursing student, spent the spring semester in Cork, Ireland studying with University College Cork. While Ireland wasn’t necessarily her first choice, her experiences proved she was exactly where she needed to be.

“I have always wanted to go abroad, and honestly I joined the waiting list for anywhere,” Guerriere said. “I got the opportunity to come to Ireland, and I knew I would love the scenery and overall experience.”

Back home, Guerriere balanced the demands of nursing courses with work and daily responsibilities. In Ireland, her schedule is much different.

“When I am home, I feel as my life is super fast-paced, balancing school and work,” Guerriere said. “Since coming to Ireland, my days have been much more leisurely and enjoyable."

A typical day for her in Ireland starts with a coffee and a walk through Cork. She spends lots of time with her friends, unwinding and soaking in the experiences around them. While her academics remain her top priority, Guerriere said she learned important lessons outside of the classroom.

“I used to only stick with things I was comfortable with,” Guerriere said. “I’ve had the same friends, hobbies, and goals for what’s felt like the majority of my life, and studying abroad really made me consider what I wanted for myself.”

Without the familiarities of home, she found clarity in her goals, priorities and sense of independence. However, it didn’t come without challenges. She said the biggest struggle was finding a routine.

Overtime, Cork began to feel like home. Guerriere credits her positive experience to the support she found through the Quinnipiac community. She said she never felt alone navigating the experience with the help of faulty and program leaders.

Looking back, Guerriere tells students interested in study abroad to take a chance.

“I thought I was happy with my life before,” she said. “But it wasn’t until I left home that I realized what I wanted to become.”