California 2017
After a long awaited few months of excitement the day had finally arrived. I was going to America for the first time!! It was also going to be my first time leaving the continent. I was going to my uncles house in San Jose, California for two weeks with my cousin Niall who is also in Transition year in St.Brendans college in Killarney. After a hectic morning of searching we got on the road at 7:30. My father and I picked up Niall on our way to the airport. We arrived at the airport at 9:30 for the 12:30 flight from Dublin to San Francisco direct. We got through security swiftly and then headed down to the US pre clearance which we got through just as quickly. Surprisingly we were sitting at the gate by 10:10.
Luckily our seats were at the back of the plane and we had two rows to ourselves. We took advantage of this and spread out. Ten hours later after several meals, a few hours sleep and some beautiful views we arrived. It was 3:30 local time when we landed and some time after we were collected. We drove back to the house in the rush hour traffic. Eventually we arrived and we were greeted by our cousins and Aunty. We soon left the house after a bite to eat to go watch my cousins basketball game. We returned to the house after some ice cream in Willow glen. Once we returned to the house I went to bed and fell straight to sleep and that was the end of our 23 hour day.
Luckily our seats were at the back of the plane and we had two rows to ourselves. We took advantage of this and spread out. Ten hours later after several meals, a few hours sleep and some beautiful views we arrived. It was 3:30 local time when we landed and some time after we were collected. We drove back to the house in the rush hour traffic. Eventually we arrived and we were greeted by our cousins and Aunty. We soon left the house after a bite to eat to go watch my cousins basketball game. We returned to the house after some ice cream in Willow glen. Once we returned to the house I went to bed and fell straight to sleep and that was the end of our 23 hour day.
Day 2
I woke earlier than usual, which I had expected due to the jet lag. I tried to go back to sleep as it was six in the morning but I had no luck. I decided to have a shower at around eight. Niall and I went for a walk at around nine looking for a shop. We found a bagel shop and a 7-11 convenience store about 7 blocks away. We decided to treat ourselves to a bagel and then returned to the house. My aunt had the week off work as it was in the lead up to thanksgiving. We went to the shops at around 12 to get a few small things and we ended coming back with a jumper each. It was a scorcher of a day and I was enjoying to weather in my shorts. We collected my cousins from school at 3 and got a tour of an American high school which was pretty impressive. As my Aunty is an Apple employee we decided to go to the new visitor centre for the brand new circular building in San Jose. It was extremely big and the augmented reality in the visitor centre was very impressive. They were still constructing so we weren't able to go in so went to the original infinite loop and had a look around which was pretty cool.
We returned home after this at around 5:30. To top off the day we headed down to the ice rink and spent around an hour there and then strolled home for dinner. I really enjoyed my first day. I also noticed how society is very different over there.
We returned home after this at around 5:30. To top off the day we headed down to the ice rink and spent around an hour there and then strolled home for dinner. I really enjoyed my first day. I also noticed how society is very different over there.
Trip to San Francisco
As my cousins had the day off school we decided to head to San Francisco for the day. We took the eight o clock Cal Train from San Jose to San Francisco. We arrived at nine and the station was right on the coast beside Sanfrancisco Giants stadium. We walked down past the bay bridge and hopped on the light rail which brought us near enough to the city centre. We walked from the station to Union Square. Unfortunately it was under construction so you couldn't see much.
As expected we had a look in several shops but we were mainly saving our money for Black Friday and the sales. After strolling through the shops we headed towards China town. As we walked I took in the breathtaking views from the top of the hills we followed the cable cars up the famous hills. Eventually we reached China town and a small restaurant where we decided to have lunch. After we found the only hand made fortune cookie factory in the world.
The top of the city was beautiful, looking down on the bay, Alcatraz and of course the golden gate. We walked down Lombard street which was shorter than I had expected and then down to the famous fishermans warph and pier 39. As it was getting late we got the street cart back to the train station and caught the five o clock Cal train back to San Jose. We were collected at the station and we were shattered by the time we got home. It was great to see all the famous sites that you recognise from movies and posters. I was very impressed by how clean and beautiful San Francisco was and would happily return. Only downside is the sea is freezing but I'm sure I could work round this if I were to settle here.
As expected we had a look in several shops but we were mainly saving our money for Black Friday and the sales. After strolling through the shops we headed towards China town. As we walked I took in the breathtaking views from the top of the hills we followed the cable cars up the famous hills. Eventually we reached China town and a small restaurant where we decided to have lunch. After we found the only hand made fortune cookie factory in the world.
The top of the city was beautiful, looking down on the bay, Alcatraz and of course the golden gate. We walked down Lombard street which was shorter than I had expected and then down to the famous fishermans warph and pier 39. As it was getting late we got the street cart back to the train station and caught the five o clock Cal train back to San Jose. We were collected at the station and we were shattered by the time we got home. It was great to see all the famous sites that you recognise from movies and posters. I was very impressed by how clean and beautiful San Francisco was and would happily return. Only downside is the sea is freezing but I'm sure I could work round this if I were to settle here.
Thanksgiving
My first Thanksgiving, I had no idea what to expect. There was a 5K race on in down town San Jose in the morning called the Turkey Trot. It was like no race I had ever seen. The amount of people was unbelievable! 30,000 people came out to Run, walk and spectate. We registered at around 9 and then made our way down to the start line. It was like nothing I had seen before. The road was packed and the crowds went on and on. There were even bands playing music on the side of the street. Once I crossed the start line I knew I wouldn't be running a very fast time as I had to weave in and out of family's and lines of people to even keep a half decent pace. I really enjoyed the run although the sheer volume of people was a bit too many.
We had breakfast back at the house and after got ready for dinner which we were going to a friends for. It was like Christmas Day without the presents and was 20 degrees hotter. Dinner was unbelievable. There was so much food and such a selection aswell. I witnessed the biggest slab of beef I have ever seen. It was unbelievable I don't even know how it fit in the oven. An hour later I was so full I could barely walk. A few hours later after dessert and chatting for a while we headed home and hit the hay once we got in the door. I enjoyed Thanksgiving but felt there was no real need for it seen as Christmas is pretty close.
We had breakfast back at the house and after got ready for dinner which we were going to a friends for. It was like Christmas Day without the presents and was 20 degrees hotter. Dinner was unbelievable. There was so much food and such a selection aswell. I witnessed the biggest slab of beef I have ever seen. It was unbelievable I don't even know how it fit in the oven. An hour later I was so full I could barely walk. A few hours later after dessert and chatting for a while we headed home and hit the hay once we got in the door. I enjoyed Thanksgiving but felt there was no real need for it seen as Christmas is pretty close.
Black Friday
I rose early and not for the reason you might think. I was going golfing with my uncle and two of his friends in Sunnyvale golf course. We teed off at 8:30 and we're back in by one. It was a very enjoyable round. Once we returned to the house we went straight to the mall to try get some deals. Luckily I found some Christmas presents and a jumper for my self at very reasonable prices. After an hour and a half we got sick of the crowds and left. That night we went to under age hockey game which was entertaining and suprisingly high standards of skill. I was really beginning to get a sense of what it would be like to live in the area. We went to a local Japanese restaurant and had dinner. This was a first for me and I really enjoyed the food. Black Friday is a bit exaggerated I believe and the deals aren't as good as they're made out to be. Although it was still a really fun experience.
Day 6
The neighbour Scott agreed to bring us for a drive in his Dodge Challenger and 2016 Jaguar sports car. As expected we drove down the highway extremely quickly on Saturday morning and had a bit of a thrill ride.
Photos
When we returned to the house we packed clothes for two days as we were going to Santa Cruz for the weekend. They had a small house on the coast which was really nice. We drove over to the mountains and down towards the sea. Once we arrived we headed to the beach for a swim and kick around. The water was almost as cold Ireland as its below Alaska. Once we had warmed up we went for dinner. We came back to the house at around nine and watched a movie. I really enjoyed the day as the coastal setting was beautiful.
Photos
When we returned to the house we packed clothes for two days as we were going to Santa Cruz for the weekend. They had a small house on the coast which was really nice. We drove over to the mountains and down towards the sea. Once we arrived we headed to the beach for a swim and kick around. The water was almost as cold Ireland as its below Alaska. Once we had warmed up we went for dinner. We came back to the house at around nine and watched a movie. I really enjoyed the day as the coastal setting was beautiful.
Day 7
Niall and I went for a cycle on Sunday morning to the seaside village of Capitole. We looked around but couldn't decide on where to go for breakfast. We ended up cycling across an old railway bridge above the town which was beautiful after having a look around.
We cycled back to Santa Cruz Main Street and had a look in a few of the surf shops. We eventually found IHOP (International House of Pancakes) we decided we would have to experience this American restaurant before we left. We found a table and had brekfast. We returned to the house after brekfast just on time as it began to rain for the first time all week. We settled down for the rest of the morning. A few hours later we went down to the beach for a swim but unfortunately it was too rough. After this we decided to pack up and return home. A weekend well spent by the sea!! I really enjoyed this weekend break from the city and found it very relaxing.
We cycled back to Santa Cruz Main Street and had a look in a few of the surf shops. We eventually found IHOP (International House of Pancakes) we decided we would have to experience this American restaurant before we left. We found a table and had brekfast. We returned to the house after brekfast just on time as it began to rain for the first time all week. We settled down for the rest of the morning. A few hours later we went down to the beach for a swim but unfortunately it was too rough. After this we decided to pack up and return home. A weekend well spent by the sea!! I really enjoyed this weekend break from the city and found it very relaxing.
Stanford University
We were scheduled to ride with the San Jose police department on Monday but unfortunately the two officers meant to take us called in sick. Instead we went to Stanford University. One of the best colleges in America. We arrived in Stanford at around 9:30. We were given a tour of the sports facilities by a current senior in the college. Unbelievably there were only four of us for the tour. He stared by showing us the two Sports halls and then the tennis courts and its stadiums. All the facilities here are world class. We then walked around looking at the track, the baseball pitch (sunken diamond), the soccer pitch which several top class teams have trained on such as Juventus, the rugby pitch, field hockey pitch, American football training ground which pro teams have trained on and of course the swimming pools. The tour finished at the museum which we had a look around.
We then got lunch and attended a student forum where people who were thinking of applying to the college could ask current students questions. I found very informative and found out lots about being an international student. After an hour of Q and A we were given a presentation about all the information about the college and what it takes to get in. We then received a tour of the campus and saw student accommodation, lecture rooms and a few other things.
I found this whole day really interesting and was able to compare it to the DCU open day. What was interesting was that you don't have to decide what you want to do when your going to college. If you achieve what's needed you get in. You then attend different lectures and decide what you want to specialise in at the end of your second year. The only disadvantage to all this was the price. Tuition is a whopping $67,000 a year over there plus accommodation of $20,000. Although there is financial aid that you can apply for depending on your circumstances. Unlike Ireland all students pay the same amount even if they're international. This was a really interesting day.
We then got lunch and attended a student forum where people who were thinking of applying to the college could ask current students questions. I found very informative and found out lots about being an international student. After an hour of Q and A we were given a presentation about all the information about the college and what it takes to get in. We then received a tour of the campus and saw student accommodation, lecture rooms and a few other things.
I found this whole day really interesting and was able to compare it to the DCU open day. What was interesting was that you don't have to decide what you want to do when your going to college. If you achieve what's needed you get in. You then attend different lectures and decide what you want to specialise in at the end of your second year. The only disadvantage to all this was the price. Tuition is a whopping $67,000 a year over there plus accommodation of $20,000. Although there is financial aid that you can apply for depending on your circumstances. Unlike Ireland all students pay the same amount even if they're international. This was a really interesting day.
Boston Scientific
On Tuesday Niall and I got the bus to the Intel museum. We looked around at the history of the company and what they do now. This was interesting and gave us a decent base for what was to come tomorrow.
At around one a clock we arrived in Boston Scientific after a quick bite to eat. Our uncles friend Marvin had kindly offered to take us for a day of work experience. He started off by showing us one of their products and what it is used to do. So the product they have designed is used to show a doctor the interior of an Artery where there is a possibility it could become blocked. The is called IVUS (Intro vascular ultra sound) once the doctor has the image he will usually put a stent in place to increase the lumen size again. After a very detailed slideshow of how this all works. After this we went to the sorting room and then all the test labs. We did a small experiment in the lab showing us how to product we had talked about looked like while in action. We left at around five and went to a high school basketball ball game when we got home.
Boston scientific was very interesting and gave me an insight into what working in that industry might be like.
At around one a clock we arrived in Boston Scientific after a quick bite to eat. Our uncles friend Marvin had kindly offered to take us for a day of work experience. He started off by showing us one of their products and what it is used to do. So the product they have designed is used to show a doctor the interior of an Artery where there is a possibility it could become blocked. The is called IVUS (Intro vascular ultra sound) once the doctor has the image he will usually put a stent in place to increase the lumen size again. After a very detailed slideshow of how this all works. After this we went to the sorting room and then all the test labs. We did a small experiment in the lab showing us how to product we had talked about looked like while in action. We left at around five and went to a high school basketball ball game when we got home.
Boston scientific was very interesting and gave me an insight into what working in that industry might be like.
Xilinxs
On Wednesday morning we went with my uncle to work. He worked in Xilinxs the computer chip company. He had given us a crash course on how transistors and chips were made the night before. This is when the information we had learnt at the Intel museum came in handy. We started off by attending a conference call with three different nations trying to resolve issues, arrange things with sub contractors and of course try finish and produce products by the deadline dates. After this our uncle presented us with a slideshow on how the chips are made and how the work. This was quite complicated but once you got your head round the basics it wasn't too bad. We were shown how all the transistors go on each layer and then there are eighty layers of transistors on top of each other. We then went up to the man who designs all the patterns for each layer and the precise detail needed. After this we visited the photolithography specialist who showed us how all the details are printed onto a wafer. Once they've been printed on the wafer it is ready to be cut up into the chips.
We took a lunch break after this. We then talked to the lawyer of the company on a conference call and she explained all the cases she has to deal with. We headed to the test lab after this and saw all the equipment uses to test the chips under extreme heats and make sure they keep running. This was cool as we saw all the equipment uses to test theses chips and also got to look at some old wafers. Lastly we met up with the head of finance for the company who explained all the day to day tasks they've to do and how they do these. Shortly after this we went home. This was a very interesting day and I learnt loads about chips.
We took a lunch break after this. We then talked to the lawyer of the company on a conference call and she explained all the cases she has to deal with. We headed to the test lab after this and saw all the equipment uses to test the chips under extreme heats and make sure they keep running. This was cool as we saw all the equipment uses to test theses chips and also got to look at some old wafers. Lastly we met up with the head of finance for the company who explained all the day to day tasks they've to do and how they do these. Shortly after this we went home. This was a very interesting day and I learnt loads about chips.
Day 11
Niall and I wet shopping on Thursday morning looking for some presents for our family's. We returned from the mall at around one and went golfing with our uncle on this beautiful course just outside the city in the hills called Cinnabar hills. I really enjoyed the round and the course was like nothing I'd played before. After we went in for a bite to eat and then headed back towards the city. Niall and I brought the dog for a monster walk when we got home and saw a large amount of the city we hadn't seen before. We also went food shopping with our aunt which was an experience just to see the ridiculous size of some of the items.
Day 12
On the Friday of our second week we took the light rail up to Cisco way. This is where all the Cisco buildings are. We met a friend of our aunts who brought us for a tour of one of the buildings and explained to us all the products they make such routers, telephones and everything used in conference calls. This was really interesting and after this we went for a drive up into the foothills which was spectacular as they look down over the whole city.
After a quick bite to eat we returned home. We brought the dog for another walk and then had dinner and settled down for the night.
After a quick bite to eat we returned home. We brought the dog for another walk and then had dinner and settled down for the night.
Day 13
On Saturday morning my uncle, Niall and I decided to go to the Golden Gate Bridge. Took us about an hour to get there but we decided we would come back to it after we visited the Muir woods. Theses woods are home to some of the only redwood trees in the world. They were amazing. The trees literally go straight up no bends in them. Some off the trees are over 1500 years old. It was staggering to see the shear height of the them. The forest was very tranquil and relaxing almost so that I didn't want to leave. Some of the pictures don't fairly represent the natural beauty of the forest.
After around half an hour we returned to the Golden Gate Bridge and took some nice photos. Niall and I then walked across the bridge which was much longer than I had expected but it was very nice and the view of the city were unbelievable. We then drove home and got pizza for dinner while watching some college American football. This day was very enjoyable.
After around half an hour we returned to the Golden Gate Bridge and took some nice photos. Niall and I then walked across the bridge which was much longer than I had expected but it was very nice and the view of the city were unbelievable. We then drove home and got pizza for dinner while watching some college American football. This day was very enjoyable.
Day 14
On the final day Niall and I decided we'd return to the bagel shop for our last one of the holiday. When we returned my uncle, Niall and I went to a car dealer as my uncle is in the market for a new car. We took the elegant Audi A7 for a test drive on the highway. We went home after and began packing. Once everything was squeezed in to my carry on we had lunch said our goodbyes and off to the airport with us. We were at the gate at 4 for the 5:30 flight which was ideal. We then boarded and left American soil. Our flight would arrive on Monday morning in Dublin. We flew through the night and the jet lag hit two hours after landing.
It was a fantastic trip one that I will never forget. The culture and differences we were very interesting. I learnt a lot over those two weeks and felt it was very beneficial to my Transition year. I would definitely consider working out there in the future if that is possible. I'm extremely pleased and thankful that this opportunity even arose in the first place and will never forget California 2017.
It was a fantastic trip one that I will never forget. The culture and differences we were very interesting. I learnt a lot over those two weeks and felt it was very beneficial to my Transition year. I would definitely consider working out there in the future if that is possible. I'm extremely pleased and thankful that this opportunity even arose in the first place and will never forget California 2017.