Upon reflecting on my experience this summer in Dublin, Ireland, I am so grateful for my time spent there. I believe that I have grown both personally and professionally. I have made so many memories that are unforgettable, as well as made so many friends that will continue on at my time at Pitt. Some of my favorite memories include traveling to new places with the friends that I made throughout my time there. Throughout the whole trip, I traveled to Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, England, and all around Ireland. I have always enjoyed traveling and seeing new things and being in Ireland gave me the chance to travel more easily. I will cherish the time that I had in various countries, exploring different cultures with my new friends. Living in Dublin without anyone that I knew before I left definitely has helped me to grow more confident in myself and in my skill set. These experiences have truly enriched my understanding of the world and how I can make my place in it.
In my personal life, I believe that I have become more confident in myself. I would say that I am a relatively shy person and enjoy sticking to the friends that I already know. This summer I was forced out of my comfort zone in that I did not know any of the other IIP participants before leaving. This summer I was forced to open up and put myself out there to make friends. While this is something I do not always enjoy doing, I definitely am glad that I did because I have made great friends. I think making these new friends was my favorite part of this trip.
Professionally, my skill set has grown tremendously. Specifically, my confidence and my communication skills have seen significant increases. With the tasks that I was assigned throughout my time at 4Property, came great practice at talking to clients and customers. The company that I worked for was a software company and one of my jobs was to cold call clients as well as answer phone calls to address clients’ queries. This job was of great benefit to me in that I learned how to communicate with clients when there is a language or cultural barrier. Because of the difference in accents in Ireland and the US, I had to adapt and work on clarifying to make sure that the client and I were on the same page without having to make them repeat themselves many times. I plan to continue to grow this skill throughout my future internships and career.
On the other hand, my confidence in my skills has also seen a significant increase. This was my first professional experience, so I was nervous that I might be behind on certain knowledge that I would need to know in order to excel. However, I found that the coursework at Pitt and my past work experiences had prepared me adequately. I believe that I have always been a quick learner and, more importantly, a determined worker. These two skills that I had already embodied helped me throughout my time at 4Property to make a real impact on the company. As the internship went on, I was given more impactful and important tasks which made me realize that my supervisor trusted me. Overall, my time at 4Property helped me to grow my confidence in myself and my skill set in that I was able to be a significant worker in the company despite my lack of prior experience.
Additionally, living in Dublin gave me with a unique cultural experience that broadened my perspective. I had the opportunity to explore a new city, learn about its history, and immerse myself in its culture. This experience taught me to be more adaptable and open-minded, qualities that are invaluable both personally and professionally. Navigating daily life in a foreign country, from using public transportation to understanding local customs, has made me more self-reliant and resourceful. These experiences have even further increased my belief that stepping out of my comfort zone is essential for my growth. The key takeaways that I will carry with me from my time in Dublin, Ireland, are that I am capable of handling challenging situations, such as living in a foreign place with unknown people and starting a new internship in a field that I had never experienced before. This summer has truly been transformative, and I am excited to see how these lessons will shape my future endeavors.