UCC Student Spotlight: From Alabama to Anthropology in Cork

2 Jul 2025

• Taylor Berry shares her experience of starting fresh in a new country and studying the BA Anthropology. 
• From making friends to finding career inspiration, Taylor shares insights for anyone considering UCC and studying abroad.

What’s it like to move across the world for college? To trade the Deep South of the United States of America for Ireland? Taylor Berry, a BA Anthropology student at UCC, did exactly that. Originally from Alabama, Taylor moved to Cork to study the BA Anthropology and hasn’t looked back.

In this UCC Student Spotlight, Taylor shares what it's been like adjusting to life in Ireland, how the BA Anthropology has shaped her  journey, and what she’d say to any international students thinking about doing the same.

Whether you're browsing course options or just curious about studying abroad, Taylor’s story offers a real look into the student experience at UCC.

How have you found studying the BA in Anthropology so far?

My experience studying at UCC has personally been an adventure of testing my own skills and knowledge of myself. Studying this course as an international student has been a lovely experience. The course itself has exposed me to many different topics of interested and even some career ideas I had never considered before. As someone who enjoys learning about new topics this course has done just that.

The teaching in this course, overall, has met or exceeded my expectation of an educational experience. Some of the professors are willing to add extra time slots or additional help, if needed. Overall, the course structure is laid out in a way that is easy to understand. The different classes, particularly the biological classes, have resurfaced interest in past career ideas and topics that I found interesting when I was younger and has inspired me in different career options.

What made you choose this course and make the move to Cork?

For me personally, the inspiration to come to UCC was my desire to stay living abroad, I looked into UCC specifically because I had heard about it on a website about studying outside of the states as a homeschooled American. After exploring around the UCC website and looking at the different programmes that were offered I stumbled upon Anthropology. As I was reading about the degree and the programme, I felt it included subjects and could lead to career fields that I felt suited me.

How has your experience been living and studying in Ireland, particularly in Cork?

I have enjoyed my time in Ireland and Cork. As someone who has lived abroad for many years in different areas I know different challenges one might face. I will say for Cork, especially within UCC, I had no problem finding friends and building my own little community within the academic environment. The main campus is easy to navigate walking around is beautiful. The people in Cork are nice and fun to talk to so I would definitely recommend reaching out and trying to befriend some locals.

The city in my opinion, is big enough to find different activities to fill your time and can be fun to explore. There is a beautiful art gallery to go to and other smaller museum and sites to see. The main city area has plenty of shopping and different markets to go to. One of the nice things about Cork City is, as a student, with the leap card you can travel all around for fairly cheap seeing sights like Blarney Castle and wandering around the quaint coastal towns such as Kinsale or Cobh. In my time here I’ve been able to travel around County Cork and extend my travels past that to see much of Ireland, which for me was one of the main things I wanted to do as an international student.

Do you have any advice for international students considering pursuing their studies in Ireland?

My advice that I would give other international students is that the rain does end and the sun does come out eventually. Do not be scared to try new things or go places alone and definitely take advantage of the cheap travel because Ireland is a beautiful country. Make friends with the locals because they are the ones who can give you the most help and best recommendations.

Also, the city buses are not always the most reliable, often run late, so be prepared to either walk are plan for an earlier bus. This is not a huge problem though because most everywhere in the city is walkable.

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Why Study Anthropology at UCC?

The BA Anthropology at UCC is a deep dive into what it means to be human, across the past, present, and future. Through a unique four-field approach that includes sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics, students gain a critical understanding of human lives and societies around the world.

Whether you're interested in human evolution, cultural beliefs, language, or global systems, this programme encourages you to ask big questions and think across boundaries. With opportunities to study abroad and learn from staff engaged in research both locally and globally, UCC’s Anthropology programme prepares students to navigate and contribute to today’s complex, connected world.

Learn more about the BA Anthropology on the programme page.