This week, I made a conscious decision to slow down. After weeks of constant exploring, traveling, and trying to make the most of every moment in Dublin, I realized that one of the most important parts of being in a new environment is giving myself permission to breathe. I have genuinely been loving my time here, but planning out and executing every single day can become surprisingly exhausting. So, I chose to have a weekend that was intentionally unstructured; no rushing, no packed itinerary, just time to reset.

At the same time, I’ve also started to feel the shift toward a new phase of the semester. School is approaching quickly, and as someone who naturally gravitates toward planning and organization, I’ve found myself already brainstorming for the clubs I’m involved in and thinking through ideas for the upcoming term. I tend to feel most comfortable when I have a sense of direction and structure, so even in a relaxed week, I’m still that person sketching out plans and thinking a few steps ahead.

One of the highlights of my week was visiting Kakilang. It had been on my list of places to try since arriving in Dublin, so I was really excited to finally go. The food absolutely lived up to my expectations. I had a Korean corndog, soufflé pancakes, and even brought home fried rice for later. Everything was delicious, and it felt like one of those meals where you can tell you’ll be going back again. It was a small moment, but it stood out as one of those experiences that makes exploring a new city feel rewarding in a very simple way.

During the week, I’ve also been doing karaoke every Thursday with friends. It has turned into a consistent routine that I look forward to. After busy workweeks, we all meet up, walk together, and spend a few hours just enjoying ourselves without pressure. It’s become more than just a fun activity; it’s a way to stay connected and decompress. In a way, it’s also taught me something about consistency and community: leadership and teamwork don’t always show up in formal settings, but also in small, repeated moments of showing up for people.

This weekend, I also wanted to try another new place, so I went to Little Pyg, which is often recommended as having some of the best pizza in Dublin. The restaurant itself was in one of the most visually interesting buildings I’ve seen so far here, which added to the experience. The pizza was delicious! After dinner, I took a walk through St Stephen’s Green. It was exactly as peaceful as people had described. Walking through the park afterward gave me a chance to slow down, reflect, and reset after several very active weekends. It felt like the right balance between exploration and rest.

Looking back on this experience more broadly, I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership. Before this internship experience abroad, I would describe my leadership style as very forward and action oriented. I naturally like to take charge in situations, organize plans, and make sure things run smoothly and efficiently. I tend to step into leadership roles by creating structure, setting direction, and making sure details are accounted for. In many ways, I’ve always seen this as a strength because it helps groups move forward with clarity and purpose.

That aspect of my leadership hasn’t disappeared while being abroad—in fact, it’s still very present. I still find myself planning ahead, thinking through logistics, and trying to ensure things are well organized. However, this experience has challenged me in important ways. Being in a new country has made it clear that even the best planning doesn’t always account for unpredictability. Cultural differences, unfamiliar environments, and unexpected changes have required me to rethink what effective leadership actually looks like in real time.

I’ve learned that leadership in this context isn’t just about control or structure, but it’s also about adaptability. There have been moments where plans don’t go exactly as expected, and instead of trying to force a solution, I’ve had to pause, reassess, and adjust. That has been a meaningful shift for me. It has shown me that flexibility is just as important as preparation, especially when navigating unfamiliar environments.

Because of this experience, I am becoming a better leader by learning how to balance structure with adaptability. I still value planning and organization, but I’m now more aware that effective leadership also means being comfortable with uncertainty and adjusting when needed. I’ve also become more reflective, recognizing that leadership is not a fixed skill but something that develops through experience and challenge.

Overall, this time in Dublin has not only been about exploring a new city, but also about understanding how I operate in new environments. I’m learning that strong leadership is not just about making things go according to plan, but about staying grounded, flexible, and thoughtful when they don’t.