This week had its share of ups and downs, but it ultimately led me to an important realization: I have to make the most of every situation I am in, no matter what gets thrown my way.
I have a few uncommon food allergies, and I quickly discovered that in Ireland many restaurants do not clearly list ingredients or specify what foods are cooked in. Labels and menus are far less detailed than what I am used to back home, and that caught me off guard. I had an allergic reaction this week that completely threw me off for a couple of days. I felt genuinely frustrated and upset for a while, and it was hard not to let that frustration spiral. Being sick in a foreign country, away from the comforts of home, feels very different than being sick at home. However, after a few good meals, some good days, and quality time with friends, I was reminded that when things do not go as planned, there is always a way to turn the day around. My roommates Stella and Maddie went out of their way to make me feel better, and I am so grateful for them. Even though the experience was stressful in the moment, it became a valuable lesson in handling unexpected situations while abroad. It also made me realize something I did not fully appreciate before coming here: I have a genuine safe space even when I am far from home, and that is something I do not take lightly.
On a more positive note, I turned the week around once I recouped. On Thursday, I played Tag Rugby with other interns and employees from my law firm. I grew up playing flag football, so the sport came naturally to me right away. The concept is similar enough that I was able to get the hang of it quickly, and I had such a great time that I signed up for the league and will be playing every Thursday going forward. Now I have something fun and competitive to look forward to each week, and it has already proven to be a wonderful way to expand my professional network in a completely organic setting. I also had a conversation with one of the partners at my firm, and he told me I am fitting in well and gave me some genuinely encouraging advice. After a rocky start to the week, that reassurance meant more than I can put into words.
This weekend was packed with planned activities, and we were lucky to have a rare sunny weekend in Dublin. On Friday, we went to a pub to listen to live music. The music culture in Ireland is truly incredible. There are artists performing on what feels like every corner of the city, and sitting back and listening that evening was the perfect way to wind down from an eventful week. Waking up to sunshine on Saturday was a relief because we had planned to go cliff jumping at the 40 Foot in Dun Laoghaire. It turned out to be more of a rock formation than a towering cliff, but it was still a lot of fun and it gave us the chance to finally swim in the ocean. I learned that the water in Ireland does not warm up until September, so it was quite the cold plunge. Despite that, I was so happy to be swimming that the cold barely registered. Afterward, we soaked up the sun on the rocks and enjoyed the afternoon before heading to dinner. We also made new friends from the University of Virginia who joined us for the day. Every week I sit down to write one of these posts, I find myself mentioning new people, and honestly that has been my favorite part of this experience so far. The friendships forming here feel effortless, and I think that says a lot about the kind of environment this program creates.
On the work front, I have been enjoying my internship and feel confident that my project is going well. That said, I have not been receiving much direct feedback from my manager, and I would appreciate more regular check-ins to confirm I am on the right track and working at a productive pace. My manager also went on holiday toward the end of the week, which added some uncertainty, but thankfully everyone else on my team has been extremely helpful and patient with me, which made a real difference.
My biggest takeaway this week is to always look for the bright side and not let one setback define your entire day. Every difficult moment this week led to something better, and I want to carry that lesson with me for the rest of my time here.