As I’m writing this, I’m in my last week of studying abroad in Dublin. It’s hard to believe how quickly the past seven weeks have flown by, even though everyone warned me they would. Looking back, I’m so grateful for everything I’ve experienced, and this past week was no exception.
On Monday, I had a relaxing day at work and decided to try a restaurant my boss had recommended: Biang Biang. Tucked away in North Dublin near my office, it was a small, cozy restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere. I had some of the best noodles I’ve ever eaten, and it reminded me how valuable local recommendations can be when exploring a new city.
The beautiful weather continued throughout the week, so on Tuesday I visited one of Dublin’s most popular swimming spots, Vico Baths. This quickly became one of my favorite experiences since arriving in Ireland. It was only about a 20-minute train ride from the university, but it felt like a completely different world. The views were incredible, and although the water was freezing (as expected), it was absolutely worth the plunge. It’s a place I know I’ll remember long after leaving Dublin.
On Wednesday, I visited Bray Beach for the first time. One thing that surprised me most was how much warmer the water felt compared to the other places I had been swimming. It was refreshing and reminded me a little more of home. One adjustment I’ve had to make, though, is getting used to Ireland’s rocky beaches. Many of the beaches around Dublin have large stones instead of soft sand, so wearing shoes is definitely a good idea. After spending some time at the main beach, we walked farther along the coastline to find a quieter, more secluded area. We ended up having almost the entire spot to ourselves, which made the experience even more special.
I had Friday off from work, so we decided to return to Howth to visit Balscadden Bay. We spent the afternoon exploring the coastline, discovering small caves, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. After all the walking, we wrapped up the trip with some fish and chips, which felt like the perfect way to end the trip.
On Sunday, we took a day trip to Cork, which was about a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Dublin. We arrived around 11:00 a.m., giving us plenty of time to explore the city. Our first stop was the Butter Museum, which turned out to be much more interesting than I expected. I learned about the history of Irish butter, how it was produced, and the role the Butter Exchange played in Cork’s economy. Afterward, we wandered through the city, grabbed lunch at a local restaurant, and then headed to Blackrock Castle. We spent about an hour exploring the castle and learning more about its history before catching our 6:00 p.m. train back to Dublin.
As my internship and study abroad experience come to an end, I’ve also had the chance to reflect on what I’ve learned outside of traveling. One of the biggest takeaways has been noticing the differences in communication styles between Ireland and what I’m used to at home. Overall, I would describe the communication style here as fairly low-context and very relaxed. In my workplace, I was often trusted to complete tasks independently rather than being given detailed, step-by-step instructions. Instead, I was expected to work through problems on my own, ask questions when I needed clarification, and complete assignments at my own pace. I appreciated this level of independence because it helped me become more confident in my decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Like any new work environment, there were a few moments of miscommunication. Most of these situations happened when I wasn’t completely sure what was expected of me or when a task wasn’t explained in detail. Rather than making assumptions, I learned that the best approach was to be direct and ask for clarification. By confirming expectations and making sure I understood each assignment before moving forward, I was able to avoid mistakes and communicate more effectively with my supervisor.
With only one week left in Ireland, I’ve been trying to soak in every moment. This experience has gone by much faster than I ever imagined, and I’m already realizing how much I’m going to miss the people, the scenery, and the opportunities to explore somewhere completely new. I’m excited to make the most of my final days here before heading off on my next adventure.
