As I wrap up my third week living in Ireland, I’ve become much more accustomed to the differences in culture and daily life here. Whether it’s in the workplace or in social settings, it’s been eye-opening to observe how things operate differently from what I’m used to back home. One of the most noticeable differences has been the way people interact at work specifically, how little time is spent talking about actual work. In my office, conversations often shift quickly to personal interests, weekend plans, or other lighthearted topics. That’s not to say people in the U.S. don’t chat about life outside of work, but here it’s far more informal and consistent even with supervisors.

For example, earlier this week, I asked my boss a quick question about a task I was working on. He answered it right away and then immediately started asking me friendly questions about my life—where I’ve traveled, what I like to do on weekends, and how I’m finding Ireland so far. It caught me off guard at first, but it’s helped me see that workplace relationships here are often built on connection and trust, not just productivity and deadlines.

This Saturday, I visited Dún Laoghaire, a small coastal town just south of Dublin. It was a beautiful spot right on the ocean, known for its 40-foot cliff jump and its variety of great places to eat and shop. Spending the day there was a refreshing change of pace from the busier city center. Compared to central Dublin, Dún Laoghaire felt like it had more personality, fewer tourists and a more tight-knit local community. So far on this trip, I’ve noticed that when walking around Dublin, it’s about a 50/50 chance that the person next to you is a tourist. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it was nice to spend time in a place that felt more authentically Irish and observe how locals live and interact without the usual crowd of visitors.

Throughout my internship at Irish Insolvency Solutions, I’ve faced a few challenges most notably, adjusting to the Irish accent and trying to fully understand the technical aspects of the insolvency cases we handle. One of the most important strategies I’ve used to deal with these challenges is asking clarifying questions. It can feel uncomfortable at times to ask someone to repeat themselves or explain something more than once, but I’ve realized it’s far more uncomfortable to assume I understood something correctly, only to make a mistake later. Being willing to ask for clarification, even when it pushes me out of my comfort zone, has helped me avoid avoidable errors and grow more confident in my work.

I’ve also learned to do more independent problem-solving. Since my supervisor is often out of the office, I don’t always have someone immediately available to answer questions. Fortunately, I’ve been given access to internal documents and digital resources that guide me through many of the tasks I’m assigned. While it’s always best to ask when something is unclear, I’ve found that with a bit of effort and focus, I can often find what I need on my own and then confirm my work when my supervisor returns.

Lastly, I’ve realized that no two insolvency cases are exactly alike. Each case comes with its own specific background, paperwork, and challenges. Something that worked for one case may be completely irrelevant for the next. This variety forces me to stay alert and think critically about what I’m doing, rather than slipping into autopilot. In a way, that’s what makes the work interesting. If every file were the same, the job would quickly become repetitive and boring. Instead, I’m challenged to stay focused, ask questions, and treat each assignment as unique. This not only improves the quality of my work but also keeps me more engaged and invested in what I’m doing.