There is nothing quite like a bit of cigarette smoke to stun you back into reality.

As I sit down to write my final Irish column, nostalgia blooms about an experience that isn’t even over. Although ISU students will be free from academia following this week, I still have randomly placed semester exams throughout May before my final flight home on the 22nd. Nonetheless, the end of my study abroad is drawing near, and there are things about Ireland I really will miss.

Visualizing this column, I pictured tales of the grandeur of Europe: late pub nights, relaxing schedules, delicious desserts, improved chocolate – heck, I even lost weight over here. I nearly painted a picture of an Irish utopia, similar to most exchange student experiences.

And then, I inhaled a whiff of smoke, probably coming from the second floor. It’s obnoxious. The truth is, living in Ireland, or probably anywhere for that matter, won’t make life perfect. Although the grand scenery and fluid schedule make it easy to romanticize, everywhere you go the simple nuances of life exist.

In Ireland, I’ve had a blast. Like an eavesdropper on an elementary school bus, I picked up local slang and decided that this country really is good craic. I’ve had days to wander the city and even traveled most of Eastern Europe on a ridiculous month-long holiday.

For my lucky Facebook friends, albums full of enviable travel shots exist, proving once and for all I have way too much free time. Each shot conveys the image of pure ecstasy, or at least amusing misadventures.

But isn’t that true for all of our profiles? We choose to only display the best portions of our lives, making it appear to the outside browser (let’s just say it, Facebook stalker), that we perpetually have a hilarious, fun, enjoyable time. The snapshots themselves are not deceptive – in each isolated moment, we are having the time of our lives.

Furthermore, think about the stories that are told, particularly by those of us lucky enough to be abroad. I got to see the Eiffel Tower. Random Irish boys gave me roses on Valentine’s Day. Gelato tasted 12 times better outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

All of these adventures are true; all of the photos are legitimate – but by only showcasing our proudest moments, a dangerous game awaits.

This competition begins when we compare our complete lives to others people’s projected lives, leaving many individuals feeling disillusioned. When other people’s experiences seem effortlessly wonderful, we often consider our own lives less than fulfilling. We question what we are doing wrong, that we’ve been cheated out of this incredible adventure everyone else seems to be living. Sometimes, we even doubt ourselves.

Thus, I’ve decided it’s time for a little unglamorous honesty.

My first day of spring break I spent crying because my dog died.

Sometimes, when I sit down to write I get writer’s block worse than . something.

Ireland is fantastic, but let’s face it: It’s an island and the imported prices leave a person more than a little broke.

Yes, I have had days to explore every inch of Cork, but that includes sections of town which are a bit “dodgy,” as my roommate Kayse and I discovered.

On one particular misadventure, we explored North Cork and unwittingly took ice cream from an unlicensed ice cream truck. What can I say? Dessert is my kryptonite. I knew the guy looked sketchy, but had no idea that the city was experiencing problems with drug-laced treats. As the driver followed us around, complete with creepy off-tune ice cream truck music, he continually offered us a trip in the back of his sweet, rusty ride.

Scared senseless, we decided to hop a fence and run home.

Gracefully, Kayse vaulted the wrought-iron fence. Prepping for the leap, I remembered all the dreaded vertical jump tests of sixth grade physical education.

I’m only 5-foot-4 and lacking in ups. There’s a reason I’m writing for the Daily instead of adding to Cyclone Magic. But, I was abroad, and adrenaline clearly would propel me over the spikes.

I do believe that was my final thought before ripping the back of my favorite pair of jeans.

Humorous, yes. Exciting, yes. But my experience abroad has been far from perfect. My roommate Ian perpetually leaves dishes in the sink. Long-distance relationships are overrated, although despite reader comments of doubt, Clayton and I are still together.

In our lives, we all have a little secondhand smoke. For me, I choose not to dwell on such annoyances, however, because the blessings in my life far outweigh its challenges.

This being said, a little honesty might do us all some good, as we learn not to envy another person by their Facebook profile.

– Julie Young is a senior in psychology from Indianola. She is studying in Cork, Ireland, this semester.