In this particular class, we have a group project worth 25% of our overall grade and a final worth 75%. This seems a bit daunting at first glance, but say I get 20% on the group project (a low estimate). Then I would only need to answer one of the questions on the exam mostly right to receive a passing grade. One group report and one question somewhat correct on a test and here you go, another class done.

They also have a thing here called “compensational grading.” If you get a low grade (below 40%…goodness sakes) then you can “compensate” the low grade with a “high” grade in another class, averaging the two.

More surprising, a grade of “A1” (similar to our A+) only requires that students get 75% or more in the course.

Why is this? Well, since the government in Ireland pays the university based on the number of students they have enrolled, making student after student repeat courses would be too taxing on the government. That’s why the university also allows students to retake their final exams in the summer, should they not pass.

Yesterday, I was working on a group project with some of my fellow Irish classmates and we were discussing the next time we could meet. Do evenings work? Of course not, one girl had to attend a bar crawl and the rest were “busy” for the rest of the week. Forget waiting until the weekend, everyone will be home. Ok, well how about the next day, say 11 am? None of them thought they would be awake. Noon? Still a bit early, but they agreed to it. The project is worth almost half of our grade (and due next week), but still no one cares.

In a world where the global playing field is being leveled, where the most skilled individuals are sought regardless of their region…40% may be good enough here, but good luck finding jobs elsewhere…

We set off Saturday for the Cliffs of Moher by Bus Éireann in the wee hours of the morning (9:25 am). An hour and 45 minutes later, we stepped off the bus, Katherine feeling a bit ill from the bumpy bus ride and Mark ready for danger. Of course, it was raining. We escaped to the visitor’s center to peruse the wonders of the gift shop, sampling flavored pretzels and cheese. From there, we headed back out in the wind and rain to see the magnificent cliffs. Our pictures consisted of fog and rain, with a bit of cliffs on the side. Not so exciting.

Back to the visitor’s center we went for a lunch break of (crunchy) peanut butter and bread sandwiches. Mmmm…cheap packed lunch. Oh no! The next bus was leaving shortly. Do we stay in the rain or leave with our less than perfect pictures? Being the tough backpackers that we are, we most certainly stayed. Just then, the fog lifted and the rain ceased, and out of the clouds appeared the Cliffs of Moher. Snap, snap, snap went the cameras. We captured it all (amidst the lurking danger of falling).

2 hours down, 4 to go until the next bus. What now? More pictures or walk somewhere? Without a car, our choices were limited. 5 miles north was the village of Doolin or a few miles south was the village of Liscannor. We could see Liscannor from the cliffs, so we ventured along the winding roads of semi-remote Ireland. We passed backpackers, cows, old men, cows, a weird tomb, grass, cows, and castles.

Two stinking hours later, we were still walking. Through rain, mud, rain, and mud we traveled. Near cars, buses, bicycles, and cows. Finally, we came to a large rock saying “Liscannor Rock Shop.” We saw geodes, shark teeth, elephant bones, mood rings, and key chains. After 30 minutes of looking around, we left only to walk some more. “Almost there,” Mark said. Yeah right.

After two hours of grueling downhill walking, we reached the Atlantic Ocean outside of Liscannor. We ravaged Mark’s backpack for anything edible. We could choose fiber (in the form of cereal), fiber (in the form of milk and cereal bar), or fiber (in the form of 1 slice of bread…the butt slice). We split the butt and a 7 Up. Renergized, we set off to find the castle in the distance.

After getting to the castle and seeing it inhabited by cows, we took more pictures and took the bus home.

Our meals have consisted of pizza, chicken, noodles, and our new favorite appetizer – bread with cheese and ham cooked in the oven. There’s also yogurt, peaches/pears, jelly, and fruit juice…but only one of us is brave enough to try these foods…

We also have mint chocolate chip ice cream! Just as good as at home, just in a smaller container (and more expensive).

–Katherine