a)      Explain the best way you have found to meet the local people.

Honestly, I've met some really nice locals at the pubs around town. In Ireland, the pubs are a place to socialize and celebrate. So we have met quite a few cool people there. Also, at the college, there are quite a few people that have been very nice and welcoming to us American students, and have included us in their nights out, which is really sweet.

b)      What is the most interesting thing you’ve purchased abroad?  How are you adjusting to using a different currency and keeping within a budget?

The most interesting thing I purchased abroad definitely has to be the Thai style crown that I purchased in Dublin. We went to a very cool & funky store in Dublin that sold some eccentric items, and I saw it there, and fell in love. It is gold and silver, and delightful.

The currency exchange was hard at first, but I'm okay with it now. Euros are closer to the American dollar than pounds are... so when we went to the United Kingdom it was much harder to adjust.

1 Euro = 1.25 Dollars
1 Pound = 1.57 Dollars