This past week was week seven of eight in my study abroad experience. I cannot believe I only have one more week in this beautiful and amazing country. I really feel that I have become one with the culture here in Ireland. Aside from going to work this week, my family arrived on Thursday. I have not seen them in over a month and a half and even though it was a short amount of time, it was so much fun. I am really close with my family and I was so eager to take them around Dublin and play tour guide for them. We did the Guiness Factory tour, saw Molly Malone, walked through Grafton street, and so much more. I like to think that they were really proud of me. I have grown a lot since being here and I really think they saw that. We took two of my friends out to dinner with us, at Urban Brewing, and after dinner my mom told me “ I really like the people you met here.” That made me smile because even though I trust my own judgement of character, I really value my mom’s opinion. She is my best friend after all. I was a little sad when they had to leave on Sunday, but I will get to see them in about a week. Which was very bittersweet because I only have a week left and I have really grown to love Ireland. 

In relation to communication style, Ireland has a very low-context communication style. This was very hard to adapt to at first because I feel that in the U.S we have a very high-context communication style. When I have interacted with the Irish, they seem to be very light-hearted individuals. They joke around a lot. For example, if you are getting teased it means they like you. 

At first this low-context communication style was really hard because I am someone who is very direct and likes things said straight out. “Reading between the lines” is not something I am very amazing at. For example when I am working and I complete a task, I send it to my boss for approval to post. A lot of the time I have had to dissect the feedback because it is not said flat out what she wants changes. At first I found this frustrating, but I adjusted. I actually am finding it to be a really good way to challenge myself professionally. It made me realize not everyone is going to communicate the way I do. I have to learn how to adjust and become independent and figure out things for myself. This communication difference in the office has also taught me to do my work differently. I have to put my mindset in the shoes of The Buff Day Spa’s owner. She has created this specific aesthetic and I need to learn how to continue to use that aesthetic on social media to promote the spa. 

I wouldn’t say there were any major miscommunications when it comes to my job. There have been times where I create content and then I get told that wasn’t exactly what they were looking for. I ask them specifically what they want instead and make the correct adjustments. This is why my work gets approved before it gets posted online. Nothing major but definitely a little miscommunication because sometimes I don’t understand what they exactly want in the first place. This relates back to the low-context communication style that is used in Ireland. Other than that I have not really encountered any other communication difficulties while working. I only work in the office so hybrid work does not apply to my current position. 

It is crazy to think that I only have a week left here at the Buff Day Spa and Ireland. I love this city, the people, and the culture. There is so much I am going to miss. Good news for me though, I still have a week of making new memories before I return home. Crazy to think how fast two months goes by when you are really enjoying everything and everyone around you. Excited to see what Dublin has to offer me for my last week.