Ireland: Ainsley Schwalbe
Program: University of Limerick, Spring
Ainsley’s Major: Engineering Mechanics: Aerospace
What is your most memorable experience from this program?
My most memorable experience was finally having enough confidence to raise my hand and answer questions in class. The smaller class sizes (and the fact that I probably wouldn’t see anyone in my classes ever again after the semester was over) gave me enough confidence to test my knowledge of what we were learning, which has been something that I’ve been afraid to do ever since I started college. This was such a turning point for me and my confidence, the first day I answered a question and got it right, I mentioned it to everyone I talked with back home, and I was so proud of myself. I continued answering questions throughout the year in my aerospace vibrations class and my aircraft design class, which not only established me as someone that other people in the class could come to for help, but it also helped me with my confidence even more when I would answer a question incorrectly. Nothing bad happened, I learned from my mistake, and I kept answering questions. I think (and hope) this will be a game changer for me in the upcoming semesters.
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
There are significantly fewer assignments throughout the semester, and the majority of the grade comes from the final exam or final paper. The content of the classes were fairly similar, although in my experience, none of my classes had me buy textbooks, either the professor provided them as a pdf or they were available for free in the library. My fluid dynamics lab was a lot less challenging and time consuming than my American labs, but they did all require a lab coat (even though we were only working with water). The exams were a lot more strict, they did not allow backpacks in the room, backs on calculators, graphing calculators, etc., and had a proctor walking around for about every ten students.
This program is absolutely worth it, especially for people that have an interest in aeronautical engineering. There are so many classes that are offered that focus on aircraft that UW Madison does not offer, so there is the chance to take classes that specifically pertain to your interests that you might not have the chance to do otherwise!
How did your identities impact your experience? What advice would you give to students with similar identities who are considering a similar experience?
As a woman in engineering, I am used to being a minority in my classes. This was also the case in Ireland, I would even say that the male to female ratio in my engineering classes was even higher than I am used to. Despite this, I would say that my classmates were a lot more welcoming and accepting than my American classmates; I did not experience any “mansplaining” and my classmates would often come to me for advice. I didn’t feel like any less of an engineer because I am a woman, which was really refreshing compared to my reality in America, where I feel I am always put down by my male classmates.
What is the moment you are most proud of?
I am extremely proud of reaching out to some of the people that I briefly met in one of my classes and asking to join them when I saw them on an excursion, and then following up to hang out with them on campus outside of classes. I am often hesitant to take the first step and keep connections with people, and this let me make friends that I spent a lot of time with throughout the program, and have plans to keep in contact with in the future!
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
Not only has this experience greatly improved my confidence and independence, but it has also taught me how to interact with, and work together with people from other cultures. Back in the States, a lot of the processes and expectations of group projects are fairly standard, but I was sort of on my own to figure out that dynamic in Ireland. However, now I feel comfortable with asking questions and feeling out what other people expect when those expectations aren’t clearly laid out.