Wow another full week of adventures has passed yet again. The clock is ticking on this trip and it is making me sad to think about. But I am going to enjoy each day to the fullest while I am here. Last Monday I went to a pub after work, and then went home and watched TV and relaxed. On Tuesday I stayed in again to recharge my batteries for the future weekend. On Wednesday, however, we went to a concert- SZA -at a castle gardens north of Dublin. It was a blast. The next day, Thursday, was the 4th of July. Working in the Irish Parliament as an American on the 4th of July means that all your coworkers will be happy to wish you a happy 4th. They’re not the biggest fans of the British here. The cafeteria was also decorated in American colors and they made American food. The fried chicken was probably the worst I have ever eaten but the thought was there and that is what I appreciated about it. Definitely helped to ease the homesickness. After work, I already had my bag packed and went straight to the airport to catch my flight to Barcelona. When we landed in Barcelona the shift in climate was supremely apparent. It was so nice to have a little warm weather. Spain was a hard adjustment because they go all night. It was so much fun though. The first night we went to a place on the beach which was great to walk along the beach after we left. The next morning we went to the beach and had ourselves a beach day, which was much needed after living in the cold Irish weather for so long. I had never been to the Mediterranean Sea, and it did not disappoint. It was so nice in the water, and getting sun was also appreciated. Later that day, Spain was playing Germany in the Euros so we went to a place to watch the game. It was super electric watching them win with real fans. Then after that we went to a wine bar before heading out for the night. The next morning we woke up and went to go see La Sagrada Familia, which was an absolutely gorgeous building. It’s insane that it still has yet to be finished. After getting lunch right next to it, we went to another Antoni Gaudi creation- Casa Bastllo. It was fantastic as well, he truly has such a great architectural style. After that we went to get tapas, and went to a market where we got oysters. We ended the night at a place on the beach again before heading back to get a little sleep before our flight home. It was such a fun trip I definitely had a fantastic time.

Before this trip, I would have described my leadership style as more passive and friendly. I have been in leadership before, but usually I worry that people will not like me or disagree with what I have to say, so I take a backseat in decisions and leading. I often suggested things in a not very forceful manner, so even my best ideas were taken lightly, which reinforced in my head that I wasn’t very good at leading. For the past few months, and especially since embarking on this program, I have noticed a drastic change in my leadership style. At Pitt, I was elected to the executive committee of my fraternity, which has led me to make a lot of decisions, and since I have become more comfortable with myself, I have been able to make these decisions without second guessing myself. On this program, at work I don’t usually have an opportunity to be a leader as I have been the only intern for most of the program and I have to take directions way more than give them. Outside of work, however, my leadership has blossomed. I’ve learned that most people hate making decisions, so if someone else makes them for them, they are okay. When we are planning things, like our trips, I usually take the helm in order to ensure that decisions are made on time and correctly. Also, when traveling, I am great at using maps and directing people, so I will often be the one leading the group on where we go. A few times people have complained, but whenever that happens I just brush it off, and tell myself that if they really cared that much, they would start making decisions. I have noticed a great growth in myself because of this trip, and I am excited to see how it takes hold in my life back home.