As my trip comes to an end on this eye-opening time in Ireland, I can’t help but wonder where the days have gone. It feels like only yesterday I was stepping off the plane, full of curiosity and anticipation. In the short time I have been here, I’ve gotten to see incredible landscapes, met inspiring business owners, and gained insight into Ireland’s history. Ireland also gave me incredible memories that I created with everyone and something that I will cherish forever. One memory that I will never forget is when I was standing at the edge of the Slieve League Cliffs. Seeing the Atlantic that looked like it could never end and the big cliffs was an experience that left me speechless. It suck that we could only stay on the concrete because there was an off-road path to get higher to get a better view. Even though I could not go higher, I could still see the sheer scale of the cliffs, with the sound of the wind and waves crashing on the rock was breathtaking. Another highlight was the trip to Murderhole Beach, which looked like it was straight out of a movie with its beautiful waves clashing on the beach and the wind blowing up all the sand in my face. These places are unlike anything I see at home, and while I may not be the most skilled photographer, I made sure to capture the beauty of it. The most important place was Carrigart, where I was delivering my presentation. Carrigart gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that small towns face. In small towns, the community is the backbone of everything in the town. People depend on one another to make their businesses make money, and every resident plays a role in helping the town thrive. Even small ideas can create change when it comes to attracting visitors during the quieter offseason months. My presentation focused on hosting a Christmas event to bring in off-season foot traffic. Holiday markets, themed light displays, and a big Christmas tree could draw visitors from neighboring towns that want to get in the holiday spirit. It could also create opportunities for local businesses to collaborate, showcase their products, and have local artisans show what high-quality goods they have. We also had a lot of conversations with locals, and they kept reinforcing the importance of community-led events like this. Speaking with members of the local GAA Club gave me an inside look at how central sports are to Irish village community. Talking with others, from established businesses like McNutts and the gift store owner. gave me an understanding of how they survived in such a season place and what I could do to bring more people in the off-season. A Christmas event could be the thing in their off-season that everyone in the surrounding small towns goes to Carrigart to buy gifts and get in the holiday spirit. Looking back on the trip as a whole, the variety of experiences was what made it so impactful. Belfast introduced us to a city that is still damaged by its history of the troubles and how it is still affecting them to this day. While Donegal gave us natural beauty and a strong sense of small towns. Carrigart showed us the strength of a small community working to adapt and grow while preserving what makes it special. I’m not just leaving with more than photographs and souvenirs from Ireland. I am leaving with lessons I have learned about the power of community and the value of listening to different perspectives. Ireland’s beauty is undeniable, but it’s the people that make Ireland different from other countries. This trip has an experience that I will carry all the memories that I have from it, and I can’t wait to see how what I’ve learned here shapes the road ahead.