A Study Abroad Love Story

Carrie Barbour and Walker Riley had no idea what was in store for them when they boarded two (separate) international flights to Ireland on June 26th, 2013. That summer, they met each other on Arcadia’s Irish History, Politics and Literature program.  

“The two of us hit it off almost immediately,” writes Carrie. “Thankfully we had a small group so we had a chance to get to spend a lot of time together.” Things clicked during their excursion to Glendalough a few weeks into the program. By the time of the 4th of July barbecue, they were inseparable.

When it came time for the program to end, they were finally separated by the distance of their colleges. Carrie was going to Meredith College in North Carolina while Walker to the University of Texas, Austin.

Though the two managed a year apart (which was too much, according to Carrie), plans were put into place for Carrie to move to Austin with Walker while he finishes his degree. They currently live together with their dog Jayk and still reminisce about their time in Ireland as if they had just left.

“We just thought you all ought to know the impact this wonderful program has had on our lives.”

Arcadia has a presence in Ireland in the form of the Arcadia Dublin Center, which is the hub for student support throughout the island of Ireland. It is complete with enthusiastic faculty and staff in addition to classrooms, lounges, a computer lab and a library.