It’s kind of crazy to believe that I have already been in Dublin for over six weeks. Time has flown by, and I have been able to do and see so many cool and great things and experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to explore the vibrant city, learn its rich history, and see its stunning landscapes, all while meeting so many wonderful people. It feels kind of bittersweet that I will be leaving back for the States in less than two weeks. Reflecting on my time here, it’s clear that this experience has been nothing short of unforgettable.
This past week was particularly a lot of fun, mainly because of what my friends and I did to celebrate the 4th of July. The 4th was this past Thursday, and I had a great time celebrating with both my friends and my coworkers. It was nice to bond with my coworkers over the shared history of gaining independence from the British, which is something our countries have in common. It was interesting to see how our shared history could bring us closer, even in a different country.
In addition to enjoying American candy and gifts, we were also served an American-themed lunch at work, which was pretty cool. It felt like a little piece of home from all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Dublin. Even better, I was allowed to leave work early on the 4th, which was really nice and gave me more time to celebrate with my friends after work. This was a pleasant surprise and it set the tone for the rest of the day.
After leaving work, I met up with all of my friends and we headed into the city together to celebrate and just have a great time. The atmosphere was electric as we joined in various festivities, enjoying the lively streets, music, and laughter. We found a nice pub where we spent hours talking, laughing, and making memories. It was a lot of fun, and I am truly grateful to have met such great people here. These friendships have added so much to my experience, and I hope to make the most of the rest of my time here with them as well.
As my departure date approaches, I find myself reflecting on all the amazing moments and connections I’ve made. From spontaneous adventures to deep conversations, every experience has been enriching. I am determined to cherish every remaining moment in Dublin, soaking in the culture, the camaraderie, and the beauty of this incredible city. Dublin has become a second home, and leaving will be tough, but I am taking back with me a treasure trove of memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Outside of the 4th, I did not really do that much for the rest of the weekend, as I mainly stayed in and tried to catch up on sleep. I did go out with my friends on Saturday night and had a good time with them, but besides that, I mainly chilled out by myself at home. So, while my weekend was kind of uneventful, it still was a good time and I still found ways to go out and spend time with my friends here in Dublin during the week. It also helped me prepare for another work week, which is something that I am also enjoying at my new placement.
Another thing that I like about my work for my internship is that I am developing my leadership skills here. While I do have some leadership experience from opportunities during high school and college, this internship gave me experience in using leadership to help me within the workplace. The main way that I am using leadership in the workplace is through communicating with both my coworkers and with my supervisor. My time here working in Dublin has made it much easier to not only ask for help when I need it but also learn how teamwork and cohesion between the members of an office can greatly improve efficiency and productivity. It also has let me form good relationships with my coworkers which has made work more interesting and helped made me more efficient at completing the tasks given to me. These are skills and knowledge that I will definitely use in my future collegiate and professional career. Now I am really looking forward to spending my last two weeks here in Dublin to the fullest and can’t wait to have more unforgettable and unique experiences with my friends here.