This weekend we went to a Pirates game and got to see a home run in the second inning. It was such a cool moment for me because I barely go to baseball games, and it was the first time I was at the Pirates’ amazing stadium. When the game was over, there was no score after that home run. There was a really cool drone show that happened when they won and I am happy we stayed for the whole time to see it. The next day, we met up with Dr. Ray to play a basketball game. It was an exercise, all the gyms are up these steep hills, and it also didn’t help that we could not find a court since most of the gyms were closed for sports practices. Eventually, we found an old outdoor court that worked just fine. I ended up losing, but that didn’t matter because I had a great time playing with everyone. It felt like a fun and meaningful way to say goodbye to Dr. Ray until we see him again in the fall. Now we are on our way to Belfast and the Pittsburgh portion of our program is coming to an end. I have been looking back on everything I have done in these amazing two weeks. I’m honestly proud of how much work I’ve put in over the past two weeks and how far I’ve come both personally and professionally. I’m also feeling excited about our upcoming trip to Ireland. I can’t wait to share my project and see how it’s received in Carrigart. It’ll be a great opportunity to learn even more and I’m looking forward to exploring a new country’s culture. These past two weeks have been packed with moments that pushed me to grow outside my comfort zone. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to work effectively with a group of people I didn’t know at all just two weeks ago. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to communicate better, how to collaborate, and how to be flexible. I have not just learn hard skills but soft skills as well that will help me in my future and career. Professionally, I gained a lot of insight by speaking with local business owners and hearing about their journeys. Listening to how they built their businesses, the challenges they faced and the different paths. They taught me to find success helped me see that there’s no single way to be successful. Everyone’s story is different, and that opened my eyes to all the possibilities out there. On a personal level, this program helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve seen new places in Pittsburgh, met people from different backgrounds, and had conversations that made me learn new things. Getting to hear directly from driven entrepreneurs has inspired me to dream bigger and work harder. As we prepare to head to Ireland, I feel both excited and motivated. I’m ready to take everything I’ve learned in Pittsburgh and apply it to my project in Carrigart. I know there will be new challenges, but I also know I’ve grown a lot already and am ready for what’s ahead.
