And just like that there are only two weeks left of my, at first, seemingly long trip. When I first applied to this program I genuinely did not know if I was even capable of living in a completely foreign place for longer than a week. Then, when I got accepted into the program I considered it more, and figured that it is a risk worth taking for the potential experience of a lifetime. And I was right! I am so thankful I took this opportunity and even more grateful that this was all possible. Funnily enough, the eight week time period I at first dreaded a little is now something I was went on just a bit longer. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

This week I decided to take a step back more and explore the surrounding areas I have heard so much about. The week went on very well and each day I enjoy my job more and more. On Friday, me and a friend went to climb the great sugarloaf mountain which I have heard from many people to have a very rewarding outlook once reaching the top. I tried my best to find a route there where we would only have to use public transportation to get there but unfortunately it would’ve taken too long, and considering it was Friday after a long workday, taking a taxi seemed like our best option. I personally hate spending money on things like taxis, but because we were splitting the cost it seemed more justified. After a pleasant taxi ride, we arrived at the base of the mountain where we went under an old cobblestone crafted arch and got dropped off at the start. From below the climb looked treacherous and difficult. The winds were also picking up and we realized we probably didn’t have the best attire for hiking. Nevertheless we went on with the hike. The hike itself was not hard at all with only about 30-45 minutes of actual hiking/climbing, and the summit was 100% worth it. Getting a full 360 degree view from the mountain peering onto the surrounding area was amazing. We could point out Dublin city to the north, Howth a little east from it, Dun Laoghaire and a little bit of Bray.

The following day I decided to take a trip to Bray to see the little town and also do the Bray head cliff walk. I checked google maps and noticed that the bike ride there would only be slightly longer than taking the bus and the dart so I decided to hop on my bike and ride over to Bray. Biking through the city of Dublin and coast of Ireland has been one of the most liberating things I have done. For me it is the feeling that I am saving money on public transit as well as getting exercise, while seeing the city, that makes it feel so rewarding. When I got there, I parked my bike in front of some shops and started to walk around the town. I had remembered that I perviously have been in Bray because every Friday, at my work, we take the service users bowling to this one bowling alley in Bray. I did a longer walk through the town and then walked along the rocky shoreline towards the start of the cliff walk. The town gave a very charming vibe. I really enjoyed the hike along the cliff trail and loved the scenic views from the top. Shortly after reaching the summit of mountain I turned around and headed back to get some food. On Sunday and Monday I got sick so I don’t have any highlights.

I would say “success” in Ireland is somewhat similarly defined as it is in the United States. In the United States success is defined by ambition, social status, and wealth in terms of assets. In Ireland however, these are only small parts that define their success. They are more focused on community connection, a healthy work-life balance, and having fun filled experiences. I actually really like Ireland’s definition of success a lot more than the United State’s definition. I would say a successful employee in my internship area requires a lot of care and empathy. They need to be very patient and understanding of the service users. These traits allow you to create a very comftorable and fun environment for the service users, which is the overall goal. In the United States I feel like a lot of people apply a very ruthless and cutthroat entrepreneurial mindset to get ahead. However, in Ireland I feel like your mindset and actions are a lot more community based. This may just be because of the internship I got placed in but these are the observations I have made so far.