I have worked at my internship for around a week so far, and there are many similarities and differences between what I expected my work to be like and what it actually is. Even before coming to Ireland, I had many preconceived notions about the country as a whole, from workplace culture to the most general parts of Irish life. We were told about the culture in our International Internship Program orientation, and I read the Culture Smart Ireland book that we were given there. I arrived in Dublin about two weeks ago, and I’ve learned a lot in that time. I’ve been to a number of more touristy parts, like the Temple Bar area, and more traditional areas like Kilkenny, and I’ve come to realize that Irish culture and history is very diverse and varied. I plan on travelling even more in the coming weeks, visiting places like Galway and Cork, and even venturing into Northern Ireland to see Belfast. I still have a lot to see and learn, but I can confidently say that I am beginning to ingrain more into Irish culture. That being said, I am starting to see where my former thoughts and ideas about Ireland were wrong and, in some cases, right. One specific truth that I’ve noticed is in the way that Irish business culture was described to us in orientation and in my Culture Smart book. After a week in, I’ve found that this has been very accurate for the most part. For example, the business attire here and even workplace relationships and interactions are much more casual and relaxed here compared to the United States. Another accuracy I’ve realized is that directions and tasks tend to be a lot more ambiguous here than in the United States, where they are usually very clear and more direct. I think this is in part due to the creative nature of speech in Ireland, and propensity to use figurative language frequently in conversation. This can be difficult and confusing to manage at some points, however I am starting to get used to it, as I have found different ways to manage and work around this.

As I have mentioned before, my internship has a large variety of tasks that I can work on, and each day can be quite different from the last. I have numerous day to day tasks, which are usually much more clear and concrete, but I also have longer term tasks, which tend to be bigger and a lot more open. I have noticed that when it comes to these type of tasks, my supervisor presents them in a very general manner, like “work on our website’s Search Engine Optimization” or “help with the social media marketing.” Although I am only beginning my work on these bigger jobs, there have been some strategies that I have employed in order to give more direction to these broad ideas. One specific method that has been especially helpful to me so far is implementing effective communication at all times. If I am unsure of the specifics related to a task that I am designated, I am never hesitant to ask a question. While it can seem scary or embarrassing to ask too many questions, doing a task incorrectly because you didn’t ask is even more embarrassing, and a waste of your time and your supervisor’s time. If anything, asking questions can improve relationships with your coworkers by showing that you are committed to doing your job correctly, resolving doubts and reducing misunderstandings. Tying in with this, another strategy that can help reduce ambiguity and uncertainty is forming positive relationships with your coworkers. When you are working on a broad task that may have many potential solutions, engaging with others can be very helpful for providing access to different perspectives and experiences. When you build rapport with those around you, who have various experience in different forms, you can create a support system to navigate through difficult situations, gathering valuable insights and sharing knowledge. Another important aspect while managing ambiguous tasks is remaining resilient in face of difficult and uncomfortable situations. While it can feel unpredictable and even overwhelming at times, it is important to keep a growth mindset, embracing the important lessons you will learn from this situation. Working through these types of situations, you can improve at adapting to new environments, learn to stay positive in the face of difficulty, and bounce back from setbacks. These are all very important skills at a job and in everyday life. Finally, be sure to communicate with your supervisor if the tasks become too stressful or overwhelming for you.