Today marks the conclusion of my second week in Dublin, and I already feel much more settled and confident in my new environment. What felt completely unfamiliar just two weeks ago is quickly becoming a place where I feel comfortable navigating daily life and embracing new experiences. Between the start of my internship and the opportunity to explore more of the city, this week has been filled with personal growth and professional development.
One of the biggest accomplishments this week was pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and becoming more independent. I visited a local climbing gym on my own, which allowed me to meet new people. Through these interactions, I gained insight into how climbing is viewed in other cultures and learned about differences in the sport in other countries. Experiencing these new perspectives has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time abroad so far. It has reminded me that there are many ways to approach the same thing, and that learning from others can broaden my understanding of the world.
On Monday, Ireland celebrated a bank holiday, giving us the opportunity to spend the day exploring Dublin. I wandered through the city center and visited Drury Street, a well-known shopping area filled with unique stores and local businesses. I particularly enjoyed browsing the record shops and jewelry stores, each of which reflected the character and creativity of the city. We also visited the Museum of Curiosities, one of Dublin’s newest museums, which opened just over a year ago. The museum featured a variety of unusual exhibits and fascinating artifacts, making it a memorable experience.
Tuesday marked the beginning of my internship at Basecamp, and naturally, I felt some nervousness going into my first day. However, those nerves quickly disappeared after experiencing the kindness, support, and encouragement of everyone I met. From the beginning, the team made it clear that they wanted me to succeed and were always willing to answer questions or provide guidance when needed. This welcoming environment has made learning new skills both enjoyable and rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain professional experience in a workplace that values collaboration and personal development.
In addition to learning about the company, I have had the opportunity to connect with many interesting people. Conversations with coworkers have given me valuable insight into Irish culture, including recommendations for local restaurants, scenic hiking destinations, and places worth visiting throughout the country. Someone at Basecamp is even from my hometown! This unexpected similarity made the transition feel even more comfortable and reinforced how interconnected the world can be.
My responsibilities at the internship involve a variety of tasks that span both finance and marketing functions. A significant portion of my work focuses on managing invoices and statements of accounts, ensuring that records are accurate, organized, and up to date. At the same time, I contribute to the marketing side of the business by helping identify outreach opportunities, attract potential customers, and maintain engagement with existing clients. While these responsibilities require strong attention to detail and can occasionally seem overwhelming, they have provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen my organizational and time-management skills.
To effectively manage my time and prioritize tasks, I begin each day by reviewing my responsibilities and creating a plan for completion. I organize tasks based on urgency, importance, and deadlines so that I can focus first on items that have the greatest impact on the business. For example, financial tasks such as invoices and account statements often take priority because they are time-sensitive and require a high level of accuracy. Once those critical responsibilities are completed, I shift my attention to longer-term marketing projects and research initiatives.
I have also learned the importance of breaking larger assignments into smaller, more manageable steps. Rather than viewing a project as a single large task, I create milestones that allow me to track progress and maintain momentum throughout the day. This approach helps reduce stress and ensures that deadlines are met without sacrificing quality. Additionally, I set aside time to research developments within the outdoor industry so that I can better understand market trends and identify opportunities that may benefit the company. Staying informed allows me to make more meaningful contributions and connect my daily tasks to the organization’s broader goals.
After a week of work, I realized just how quickly this experience is passing by, so I decided to spend every weekend exploring Ireland and all it has to offer. On Saturday, I took a boat trip to see puffins. As someone who loves birds, this was an incredible experience. There were only about twenty puffins on the island, so spotting them required some patience and careful observation. (I’ve attached a photo below, but you may have to squint) Afterward, we enjoyed fresh seafood at a restaurant in Howth, which made the day even better.
Today, I visited the National Gallery of Ireland with some friends. To be honest, art museums are not usually something I would choose to do on my own, and I mainly went because a friend suggested it. However, I am really glad that I did. It turned out to be a lovely experience and reminded me how many fascinating things exist in the world that I know very little about. One of the highlights was Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs by Frederic William Burton. The watercolor painting depicts a romantic moment between two lovers from a medieval Danish ballad before their tragic separation. What I found especially interesting was learning that the painting is only displayed for one hour each week. Because it is a watercolor, prolonged exposure to light can cause the pigments to fade and deteriorate over time. The gallery carefully limits its display to help preserve the artwork for future generations. Seeing such a famous and carefully protected painting in person made the visit especially memorable and gave me a greater appreciation for art and the stories behind it.
Overall, this week has been both exciting and rewarding. I have continued to grow personally by embracing new experiences and professionally by developing valuable workplace skills. As I become more comfortable in Dublin and more confident in my role at Basecamp, I look forward to taking on new challenges, building stronger relationships, and continuing to learn from the people and experiences around me.
