Transfer from Ireland

[armyvet2be]

Hi everyone,


I am currently in the process of filling out my transfer applications to hopefully return to the US after my second semester here are the University College Dublin. I need help deciding what reasons I should put in my application.


On one side I am miserable here. I do not fit in, am not invited to class outings, and having a really hard time making social connections. I have joined several clubs but even there people ignore me (No, I don't think this will be considered a valid reason). I am also having a hard time with how the school is run here. It is very different than in the US and though I am doing fine (yes I have above a 3.0 to transfer) I spend a lot of time stressing about having the right schedule rather then my classes. In other words, I’m finding it hard to build myself a support system away from home.


Being 27 also makes me ALOT older than most of my class. Especially those undergrads that do the regular course here (they can enter at 18).


Secondly, I am positive about wanting to practice in the US, more than likely for the army. Even though the professors teach us well they are teaching us based on the Irish system and state that its not their job to teach of North American ways. I feel like this will be a disadvantage when starting to look for jobs.


Another reason I am wanting to return to the states is because last semester my uncle died. I have been an army brat my entire life and we have spent most of it stationed abroad. In other words, I did not actually meet my aunts and uncles until I did my undergrad work in NC. I spent a lot of time making up for lost time and when he passed it was really depressing not to be able to go to the funeral and say good bye. That being said my aunt is now in liver failure and we are not sure how much longer she is going to make it. I would really like to spend more time with her before she goes and that simply is not possible being on the other side of the world. I didn’t even get to go home for Christmas because I need to get my extramural studies done.


My dad is also not doing to great, according to my mom. I don't know how true this is because he is someone who would never admit to being seriously ill. He does not want to make me worry and gets upset when I ask how he is. I feel like I would be less worried and distracted if I was closer to home. He is retired now and lives in NC.


Finally, I have never had to struggle with myself this hard. I was never someone who felt hopeless or alone. I cry a lot and keep telling myself it’s homesickness but honestly I am starting to think its more than that. I love what I am studying but some days I can't even find the motivation to prep for the next day. This is very unlike me, but I also don't want to go talk to someone about this. I don't want to end up getting diagnosed with some mental issue. So can I even state that I don't feel like myself here?


I guess what I am asking is do you think I just sound like someone feeling sorry for themselves or are these legit transfer reasons?


Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me out.

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[KCgophervet]

Hi everyone,

I am currently in the process of filling out my transfer applications to hopefully return to the US after my second semester here are the University College Dublin. I need help deciding what reasons I should put in my application.

On one side I am miserable here. I do not fit in, am not invited to class outings, and having a really hard time making social connections. I have joined several clubs but even there people ignore me (No, I don't think this will be considered a valid reason). I am also having a hard time with how the school is run here. It is very different than in the US and though I am doing fine (yes I have above a 3.0 to transfer) I spend a lot of time stressing about having the right schedule rather then my classes. In other words Im finding it hard to build myself a support system away from home. Being 27 also makes me ALOT older than most of my class. Especially those undergrads that do the regular course here (they can enter at 18).

Secondly, I am positive about wanting to practice in the US, more than likely for the army. Even though they teach us well they are teaching us based on the Irish system and state that its not their job to teach of North American ways. I feel like this will be a disadvantage when starting to look for jobs.

Another reason I am wanting to return to the states is because last semester my uncle died. I have been an army brat my entire life and we have spent most of it stationed abroad. In other words, I did not actually meet my aunts and uncles until i did my undergrad work in NC. I spent a lot of time making up for lost time and when he passed it was really depressing not to be able to go to the funeral and say good bye. That being said my aunt is now in liver failure and we are not sure how much longer she is going to make it. I would really like to spend more time with her before she does and that simply is not possible being on the other side of the world. I didnt even get to go home for christmas because I need to get my extramural studies done.

My dad is also not doing to great according to my mom. I don't know how true this is because he is someone who would never admit to being seriously ill. He does not want to make me worry and gets upset when I ask how he is. I feel like I would be less worried and sometimes distracted if I was closer to home. He is retired now and lives in NC.

Finally, I have never had to struggle with myself this hard. I was never someone who felt hopeless or alone. I cry a lot and keep telling myself its being homesick but honestly I am starting to think its more than that. I love what I am studying but some days I can't even find the motivation to prep for the next day. This is very unlike me but I also don't want to go talk to someone about this. I don't want to end up getting diagnosed with some mental issue. So can I even state that I don't feel like myself here?

I guess what I am asking is do you think I just sound like someone feeling sorry for themselves or are these legit transfer reasons?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me out.

I think you have a slightly unhealthy view of mental health issues. If you are really showing signs of depression (and based on your post I would think you are) you should go talk to someone about it. There's nothing wrong with taking care of a medical condition that is affecting your well being (and mental health is).

Personally, I think you're best bet for transfer request is focusing on the desire to practice in the US and join the Army, those both sound more patriotic vs. sentimental. But I really have no idea.

 

[armyvet2be]

I think you have a slightly unhealthy view of mental health issues. If you are really showing signs of depression (and based on your post I would think you are) you should go talk to someone about it. There's nothing wrong with taking care of a medical condition that is affecting your well being (and mental health is).

Personally, I think you're best bet for transfer request is focusing on the desire to practice in the US and join the Army, those both sound more patriotic vs. sentimental. But I really have no idea.

I know mental health is a medical condition and there is nothing wrong with getting that treated. However, I don't want it in my medical record since that will be disclosed to the army when I try and join. The person reviewing my file could see it, as discriminatory as this sounds, as a sign of not fit for service. It's important to change the view of mental health but as of right now that's a slow process and not a risk I want to take.

I do thank you for the concern though

 

[dyachei]

When you give your reason for wanting to transfer, I would let them know it's primarily to be able to be there for sick family if the need arises.

 

[DVMDream]

When you give your reason for wanting to transfer, I would let them know it's primarily to be able to be there for sick family if the need arises.

Yup, I was going to say this.

It is a good reason to be requesting a transfer.

 

[Cyndia]

I know mental health is a medical condition and there is nothing wrong with getting that treated. However, I don't want it in my medical record since that will be disclosed to the army when I try and join. The person reviewing my file could see it, as discriminatory as this sounds, as a sign of not fit for service. It's important to change the view of mental health but as of right now that's a slow process and not a risk I want to take.

I do thank you for the concern though

Out of curiousity - do foreign medical records get disclosed to the army? I had some things done when I was a student in England, and I had to self report most of the things back to my US doctors. You might be able to get some help or assistance without them finding out in the future, or at the very least, is there some sort of counselor available for you to just speak with? Just so you can talk to someone, that may help a little.

I also agree with everything else said. Being home for sick family is an extremely valid reason, as well as the fact that you'd like to practice in the US/join the army.

 

[armyvet2be]

Out of curiousity - do foreign medical records get disclosed to the army? I had some things done when I was a student in England, and I had to self report most of the things back to my US doctors. You might be able to get some help or assistance without them finding out in the future, or at the very least, is there some sort of counselor available for you to just speak with? Just so you can talk to someone, that may help a little.

I also agree with everything else said. Being home for sick family is an extremely valid reason, as well as the fact that you'd like to practice in the US/join the army.

I don't know if they are but I know the army can request them and my records from germany where disclosed.

 

[Cyndia]

I don't know if they are but I know the army can request them and my records from germany where disclosed.

Ah gotcha, then probably better to play it safe... I still do think it would be helpful to try to talk to a counselor/therapist type person though, if you can find someone who is not part of the health system/won't have records of you. Even just reaching out to an anonymous phone line like Samaritans, I had a friend that told me she called them once or twice when she was really dealing with a lot of stress.

Also, you mentioned you were having a hard time fitting in with your class (which is entirely understandable considering the age difference). if you want to try to find some people to hang out with outside of your class, have you checked out meetup.com? When I first moved to Ireland I didn't know many people, and I went to one or two random meetup groups that fit some of my interests and became pretty good friends with a group of german girls I met. They have a pretty good variety of events too, from active stuff, to casual pub meetups, to language groups, etc.

 

[armyvet2be]

Ah gotcha, then probably better to play it safe... I still do think it would be helpful to try to talk to a counselor/therapist type person though, if you can find someone who is not part of the health system/won't have records of you. Even just reaching out to an anonymous phone line like Samaritans, I had a friend that told me she called them once or twice when she was really dealing with a lot of stress.

Also, you mentioned you were having a hard time fitting in with your class (which is entirely understandable considering the age difference). if you want to try to find some people to hang out with outside of your class, have you checked out meetup.com? When I first moved to Ireland I didn't know many people, and I went to one or two random meetup groups that fit some of my interests and became pretty good friends with a group of german girls I met. They have a pretty good variety of events too, from active stuff, to casual pub meetups, to language groups, etc.

I will try the calling line, can't hurt.

Also thanks for the meetup idea ill check that out as well.

 

[Aw247136]

Hi everyone,


I am currently in the process of filling out my transfer applications to hopefully return to the US after my second semester here are the University College Dublin. I need help deciding what reasons I should put in my application.


On one side I am miserable here. I do not fit in, am not invited to class outings, and having a really hard time making social connections. I have joined several clubs but even there people ignore me (No, I don't think this will be considered a valid reason). I am also having a hard time with how the school is run here. It is very different than in the US and though I am doing fine (yes I have above a 3.0 to transfer) I spend a lot of time stressing about having the right schedule rather then my classes. In other words, I’m finding it hard to build myself a support system away from home.


Being 27 also makes me ALOT older than most of my class. Especially those undergrads that do the regular course here (they can enter at 18).


Secondly, I am positive about wanting to practice in the US, more than likely for the army. Even though the professors teach us well they are teaching us based on the Irish system and state that its not their job to teach of North American ways. I feel like this will be a disadvantage when starting to look for jobs.


Another reason I am wanting to return to the states is because last semester my uncle died. I have been an army brat my entire life and we have spent most of it stationed abroad. In other words, I did not actually meet my aunts and uncles until I did my undergrad work in NC. I spent a lot of time making up for lost time and when he passed it was really depressing not to be able to go to the funeral and say good bye. That being said my aunt is now in liver failure and we are not sure how much longer she is going to make it. I would really like to spend more time with her before she goes and that simply is not possible being on the other side of the world. I didn’t even get to go home for Christmas because I need to get my extramural studies done.


My dad is also not doing to great, according to my mom. I don't know how true this is because he is someone who would never admit to being seriously ill. He does not want to make me worry and gets upset when I ask how he is. I feel like I would be less worried and distracted if I was closer to home. He is retired now and lives in NC.


Finally, I have never had to struggle with myself this hard. I was never someone who felt hopeless or alone. I cry a lot and keep telling myself it’s homesickness but honestly I am starting to think its more than that. I love what I am studying but some days I can't even find the motivation to prep for the next day. This is very unlike me, but I also don't want to go talk to someone about this. I don't want to end up getting diagnosed with some mental issue. So can I even state that I don't feel like myself here?


I guess what I am asking is do you think I just sound like someone feeling sorry for themselves or are these legit transfer reasons?


Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me out.

Hi everyone,


I am currently in the process of filling out my transfer applications to hopefully return to the US after my second semester here are the University College Dublin. I need help deciding what reasons I should put in my application.


On one side I am miserable here. I do not fit in, am not invited to class outings, and having a really hard time making social connections. I have joined several clubs but even there people ignore me (No, I don't think this will be considered a valid reason). I am also having a hard time with how the school is run here. It is very different than in the US and though I am doing fine (yes I have above a 3.0 to transfer) I spend a lot of time stressing about having the right schedule rather then my classes. In other words, I’m finding it hard to build myself a support system away from home.


Being 27 also makes me ALOT older than most of my class. Especially those undergrads that do the regular course here (they can enter at 18).


Secondly, I am positive about wanting to practice in the US, more than likely for the army. Even though the professors teach us well they are teaching us based on the Irish system and state that its not their job to teach of North American ways. I feel like this will be a disadvantage when starting to look for jobs.


Another reason I am wanting to return to the states is because last semester my uncle died. I have been an army brat my entire life and we have spent most of it stationed abroad. In other words, I did not actually meet my aunts and uncles until I did my undergrad work in NC. I spent a lot of time making up for lost time and when he passed it was really depressing not to be able to go to the funeral and say good bye. That being said my aunt is now in liver failure and we are not sure how much longer she is going to make it. I would really like to spend more time with her before she goes and that simply is not possible being on the other side of the world. I didn’t even get to go home for Christmas because I need to get my extramural studies done.


My dad is also not doing to great, according to my mom. I don't know how true this is because he is someone who would never admit to being seriously ill. He does not want to make me worry and gets upset when I ask how he is. I feel like I would be less worried and distracted if I was closer to home. He is retired now and lives in NC.


Finally, I have never had to struggle with myself this hard. I was never someone who felt hopeless or alone. I cry a lot and keep telling myself it’s homesickness but honestly I am starting to think its more than that. I love what I am studying but some days I can't even find the motivation to prep for the next day. This is very unlike me, but I also don't want to go talk to someone about this. I don't want to end up getting diagnosed with some mental issue. So can I even state that I don't feel like myself here?


I guess what I am asking is do you think I just sound like someone feeling sorry for themselves or are these legit transfer reasons?


Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me out.

I was just wondering if you were successful in transferring! I am a current first year at Dublin, and am looking into transferring as well

 

[Corgis101]

I was just wondering if you were successful in transferring! I am a current first year at Dublin, and am looking into transferring as well

I know the person who started the thread didn't answer but I wanted to know if you ended up transferring ??