After three weeks in Dublin, I’m beginning to feel a sense of familiarity with the city that comes once you get past the initial learning curve of moving to a new place. I’ve come to know some of the different neighborhoods and their traits as well as getting more accustomed to the bus system and its various stops and routes. While Dublin is a large city with a lot going on, in some ways it also has a small town feel. There is a large sense of community here, much of which comes from the city’s pub culture. On a Friday night after work, the city centre streets fill with people of all ages and backgrounds, socializing and enjoying a pint together. This kind of atmosphere is unlike anything I have experienced in the U.S. and I think it’s something I will miss a lot when I return home.

This week I embraced being a tourist in the city. With my parents coming to visit, I wanted to experience some of the best things that Dublin has to offer. The first must-do stop was the Guinness Storehouse. Originating in Dublin, Guinness is a beloved beverage across Ireland and deeply embedded into the culture and has become a symbol of Irish identity and pride. The Guinness Storehouse takes you on the journey of creating Guiness from farming the barley and yeast, to the brewing process, and finally to the consumer. As an add on, I also got to learn how to pour my own Guinness from the tap, which involves a very particular technique. The entire experience was incredibly immersive and informative.

Ireland, being an island nation lined with coastal cities, is also known for its seafood. I took a short train with my family to the town of Howth, located just North of Dublin. We strolled along the boardwalk before enjoying some seafood chowder, scallops, and mussels. I’d like to go back to Howth and explore more. While it is close to Dublin in terms of its location, it’s a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

This week, I also enjoyed some of the local food scene. Dublin is a very international city and has nearly every cuisine represented. For my roommate’s birthday, we went out for Indian food, which tasted like it was some of the most authentic Indian food I’ve had. I’ve also been enjoying the hearty Irish pub food and lots of lots of chips of course.

Wrapping up the second week at my internship, there is a lot I’ve been able to learn about the company in this short amount of time, but also a lot I have to learn. Sometimes, it can be difficult to know what to do in a situation or how to approach something without having the background knowledge that someone only gets from being with a company long term. I have a general understanding of how the company operates, but I do not know the ins and outs yet. I believe this is a main source of uncertainty in my job that will only be improved with time and experience.

One time this feeling of uncertainty appeared was when I was tasked with calling various pharmacies and retail companies to inquire about restocks. I was given somewhat of a basic script to use for asking about the restocks, however, when the recipient asked follow up questions, sometimes I was unable to give an answer because I did not have the proper background knowledge on the subject. This can be challenging, as I want to be helpful but also do not want to give out the wrong information. When situations like this happen, I usually direct the recipient to a colleague who is more knowledgeable on the topic, and later ask how I should respond if a similar question comes up another time.

Another way I’ve been able to navigate uncertainty or unclear directions in my internship is using my office’s other intern as a resource. We often ask each other clarifying questions to see if we interpreted something the same way or to see if directions were clear. She is also Irish, so she has been helpful when it comes to understanding cultural differences and ways of doing things that might be different in Ireland compared to the U.S. For instance, she once explained to me what some of the biggest retailers in Ireland are and some of the places where Cocoa Brown products are sold. I’m grateful to have her as someone I can ask questions to, especially when my supervisor may be busy.

Overall, it has been challenging in some ways to navigate the uncertainties that naturally come with starting a new job in a foreign country. However, I know it will only become easier as the weeks go on. I’m lucky to work with a team that is very supportive and willing to answer questions I have. I can’t wait to see what next week will bring, both in and outside of my internship.