The following poem, written by Rachele Lancia from Italy, is the winner of our Study Abroad Summer Competition for the best creative submission about Ireland. Rachele (pictured right) is studying in Co. Galway and she has really captured the idiosyncrasies of encountering Ireland for the first time.

LOVE FOR MY NEW HOME
written by Rachele Lancia
From Pergola to Galway by plane I came
To a beautiful country well known for its rain
I arrived at the door to the house on the hill
With views of Lough Corrib and a big welcome in
From Italian to English, soon I did learn
That no matter the language I knew I was home.
New mother Maria, sister Cayla and Max
My adventure begins no time to relax
First off to school, it looks like Auschwitz outside
But inside those walls I find true friends of mine
Yoshi and Emma are the same as me
Away from their homes and family
Nine months we will stay with families a new
Supporting each other like good friends do
Home in the evening to a warm open fire
With smells of home cooking which I truly admire
Much laughter and chatter around the table
My family are crazy, I think they are unstable! 😀
But time goes by way too soon
When surrounded by love and family too
Italian I came but Irish I return
Forever in my heart the love for my new home.