Your Friendly Neighborhood Irish Deborah Forde

By Patrick Bell, ENGL 336

Deborah Ford is a Junior that is studying abroad at Frostburg State University. Deborah likes to hike in her spare time and enjoys being outdoors. Deborah also surprisingly plays Gaelic Football. Gaelic Football is a major sport in Ireland. Gaelic football is like a combination of American football and soccer. While at Frostburg State Univeristy Deborah is majoring in mass communications while also majoring in English. Deborah has lived in the southern part of Ireland her whole life and plans to continue living there once she finishes school. Deborah decided to come to Frostburg of all places because she never heard of the place. Deborah said "it was new, random, and could be fun". Being from Ireland people always asks her about her accent. When out with her friends they always make her order the food or talk on the phone just so they can hear her accent. The Irish are not only known for their accent. People around the world always assume that Irish people are alcoholics. That is just one many stereotypes in the world. Well Deborah thinks "that drinker stereotype is somewhat true but it really gives Ireland a bad name".  

All of Deborah's immediate family lives in Ireland. She speaks to them when she cans seeing as the time zones are different here in the United States. Deborah is the oldest of three. She has two little sisters named Sinead and Aoife. Sinead is seventeen years old and Aiofe is 8. They live on their family's farm. Their farm has all the essentials like cows, chickens, and other pet animals. Life in Ireland is a little different than living in the United States but there are some similarities. They celebrate all the same holidays and of course Saints Patrick's Day is really big there. One major difference between Ireland and the United States is the school systems. There is not much talking in Ireland classrooms; you couldn't even talk to your professor. Deborah said "My professors didn't even remember my name".  College classes usually promote in class participation. If you would like to visit or even just want to know more about Ireland you can visit the site here for more information.