Caroline Nolan
CAS ’26
Philosophy, Politics, & Economics and Urban Studies
SA: CASA Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
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Ask Me About…
Studying abroad in Dublin was my first time living in Ireland as an Irish citizen, a long-awaited opportunity to connect with my roots and explore whether I might want to return long-term. Trinity’s central location and Dublin’s welcoming, progressive culture made it an especially affirming place, and I definitely want to return!
While abroad, I continued working remotely as a research assistant for a Penn professor, which gave me insight into balancing academic and professional commitments across time zones. This was also prime internship application season, so I had to juggle recruiting, interviews, and follow-ups with a six-hour time difference, all while prioritizing academics and building a social life in a new country. It was challenging but rewarding to stay connected to Penn while immersing myself in a very different university system.
I’d encourage students to ask me about how to manage time zones and professional obligations abroad without compromising the cultural and academic experience. I’d also love to talk about my experiences traveling Europe as a queer traveler.
My Experience Abroad
I am a Philosophy, Politics, & Economics major with a concentration in Public Policy & Governance and a minor in Urban Studies. I was drawn to Trinity’s curriculum because of its focus on small, discussion-based seminars, the format in which I learn best. Trinity’s classes allowed me to engage deeply with complex policy issues through a European lens, particularly in areas like welfare provision, early childhood care, and the role of the state in addressing structural inequality.
My two favorite classes were “Poverty, Welfare, and Justice” and “Crime and Justice,” which offered discussions on youth incarceration, urban crime, and the role of the state in mitigating social issues. These classes pushed me to critically compare Irish and American public policies and welfare structures, helping me understand how different political systems approach similar social problems. The experience deepened my interest in multinational policy work.
Trinity’s academic culture, with its emphasis on cross-national thinking and in-class active debate, also pushed me to think more globally and critically about governance structures, and gave me the confidence to articulate and defend my ideas in discussion with peers. It was especially rewarding to see how Irish policy is shaped by different assumptions about the role of the state, and to consider how these policies could inform policy solutions in the U.S.
Other Highlights
- Exploring my host country: I prioritized getting to know Ireland first. CASA-Dublin offered day trips to Belfast, Glendalough, and Giant’s Causeway. These trips helped me to build strong connections with other students in the program and made it easy to explore the country without the stress of planning. I also planned my own trips to Galway and Cork.
- Staying connected with Penn friends across Europe: I used long weekends to travel and connect with Penn friends studying in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Porto. It was amazing to see my friends thriving in various countries and how they adapted to new cultures and routines.
- Public transportation: As an Urban Studies minor and public transit enthusiast, I loved commuting to Trinity each day with Dublin Bus.
- Cold water dipping in Dublin: Participating in this long-standing Irish practice of swimming in the cold sea at Sandycove Harbour was a memorable way to connect with Irish culture.
- Joining student life at Trinity: I became a member of The Phil, Trinity’s famed debating society. Weekly debates were intellectually stimulating and humorous, and it was a great way to connect with local students and get a feel for Irish politics.
