I arrived in Galway on a Monday, and by the following Sunday, I found myself engaged. Now, I did come to Ireland with a sense of adventure, but I have to admit I didn’t think I would find myself an Irishman that quickly. I feel as though I should explain just a bit, as you all might be just as shocked as I am at the whole situation.

Eoghan is incredibly charming (they do say all Irish are, you know), wickedly smart (he can tell you about pretty much anything), and stands at about four feet tall. He’s not a leprechaun, but I do expect for him to grow a few more inches by his eighth birthday next year. The age gap might be a hinderance, but seeing as though his mother is our Program Director, I don’t think she would mind if I waited the few more years.

My Irish charmer and me

Getting engaged might be the one of the highlights of my trip so far, but I have to tell you that they are around every corner. I’ve now been here for a little over a week, but I’ve done so much exploring that it feels like a month already.

One of the first things that Finn, our Program Director, told us when we first met is that in order to truly find yourself, you have to get lost. Our group has taken that on as our de facto mantra, as well as many other #finnspirations, as we call them. Whenever we have free time, exploring the city is first on the list. I have gotten lost a few times (most of them on campus trying to get back from the bathroom), but each time, I got to see a different part of Galway that I wouldn’t have if I took a route I already knew.

While strolling the streets last night trying to find a pizza place that has become a favorite of ours, my groupmate and I heard jazz music bursting out of a small pub down a side street. With the #finnspiration at the ready, I walked into the pub and found it crowded with an 18 person jazz band playing “Blackbird” by The Beatles and a room full of people as in awe as we were. Song after song, I kept having to remind myself that yes, I am in Galway, and yes, I just walked into a tiny pub on a side street with an 18 person jazz band playing some of the best music I’ve ever heard. After a quick follow, and a follow back, by one of the singers on Twitter, my groupmate and I called it a night. I fully expect to start planning my wedding soon, however, I’ll continue getting lost in the meantime.

Parik Kostan is a student at the University of Central Florida and an Official API Blogger. Parik is studying abroad with API in Galway, Ireland.