This weekend was definitely one of my favorites since being in Ireland. Even though the work week felt like it dragged on forever, it was all worth it once the weekend finally came around. I got to travel to one of the most beautiful places I have seen so far, and then end the weekend by seeing one of my favorite bands live.

On Saturday, my friends and I took a trip to Killarney. I had heard from so many people that it was one of the prettiest places in Ireland, and they definitely were not wrong. Everywhere you looked there were huge green mountains, lakes, and fields that looked like something straight out of a movie. It almost didn’t seem real. Every time we would get back on the bus after stopping somewhere, I felt like there was another amazing view waiting around the corner.

I think one of my favorite parts about traveling around Ireland is how different each place has been. Even though everything is still very green, every town has had its own personality. Some places have been coastal, others have been full of rolling hills, and Killarney was surrounded by these incredible mountains that seemed to go on forever. It is one thing to see pictures online, but it is completely different actually standing there and taking it all in yourself.

We spent most of the day walking around, taking pictures, and just enjoying being outside. It was one of those days where there really wasn’t a rush to get anywhere. We could just walk around, appreciate the scenery, and enjoy spending time together. I have realized that some of my favorite memories from this trip are not necessarily from doing anything crazy, but just from exploring new places with the people I have met here.

Then on Sunday, we had another exciting day planned. We went to Marlay Park for the Mumford & Sons concert, and it was honestly such a fun experience. I have listened to their music for years, so getting the chance to finally see them live, especially while studying abroad, was something I had really been looking forward to.

The atmosphere at the concert was amazing. There were people everywhere, everyone was singing along, and you could tell just how excited the crowd was before the band even came on stage. Once they started performing, the energy only got better. Hearing everyone sing together made it feel like one big community, even though none of us knew each other. There is just something about live music that brings people together.

One thing I have loved about being abroad is getting to experience events that I probably never would have gone to if I stayed home this summer. Between traveling around Ireland every weekend, trying new foods, seeing different parts of the country, and now getting to see a concert at one of Dublin’s biggest parks, I feel like I have been making the most of every opportunity. It has made this summer feel like so much more than just an internship.

Moving into this week’s reflection, I have been thinking a lot about leadership and how my internship has changed the way I look at it.

Before coming to Ireland, I would have said I was already a pretty strong leader. Throughout high school and now in college, I have almost always had some type of officer position in clubs or organizations. I have always enjoyed taking initiative, organizing projects, and helping other people. Because of those experiences, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what leadership looked like.

However, this internship has definitely challenged that perspective. Being an intern is a completely different experience because, realistically, you are at the bottom of the workplace hierarchy. Instead of being the person making decisions, you are learning from everyone else around you. Most of the time, I am being told exactly what to do, how to do it, and when it needs to be completed. At first, that was a bit of an adjustment because I was so used to taking the lead in other environments.

Over the past few weeks though, I have realized that leadership is not always about being the person in charge. Sometimes being a good leader means knowing when to listen, ask questions, and learn from people who have more experience than you. Watching my coworkers work together, communicate with candidates and clients, and solve problems has shown me that there are so many different ways to be an effective leader.

I also think this internship has helped me become more independent in my thinking. Even though I am still completing the tasks that are assigned to me, I have started thinking more about how things could be done differently or if there are ways I can make something easier for the team. Instead of just completing a task and moving on, I find myself asking why we do things a certain way and if there is anything I could contribute. I think that shift in mindset has helped me grow both professionally and personally.

Overall, I still think I have always had leadership qualities, but this experience has taught me that leadership is much more than holding a title or being the person in charge. It is about being willing to learn, being open to feedback, thinking for yourself, and looking for ways to help improve the people and environment around you.