As our time in Pittsburgh comes to a close, it is hard to believe how much has happened over the past two weeks. What began as a whirlwind of orientations, team-building activities, and introductions has transformed into an experience that has challenged me academically, professionally, and personally. Looking back, I realize that this portion of the program has been about much more than preparing for a consulting project in Ireland. It has been about learning how to observe communities, ask better questions, and work alongside others to solve complex problems. With our departure for Ireland only days away, I find myself reflecting on everything we have learned while also feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement for what lies ahead.

One of my biggest takeaways has been learning that successful consulting is rooted in listening before proposing solutions. At the start of the program, I imagined consulting as a process driven primarily by research, data, and analysis. While those skills remain incredibly important, our conversations with community leaders, business owners, and guest speakers have shown me that understanding a place begins with understanding its people. Whether we were speaking with Erin McLaughlin about Carrigart, touring neighborhoods throughout Pittsburgh, or hearing stories from professionals working in community development, one theme remained constant: the best ideas come from listening to those who know their communities best. That lesson has reshaped the way I think about leadership and problem-solving, and it is something I hope to carry with me long after this program ends.

Personally, I have also grown in ways I did not expect. As an incoming college student, everything about this experience was new, from living on campus to collaborating with classmates I had only just met. Over the past ten days, those unfamiliar faces have become teammates, friends, and people I know I can rely on. Working together through long research sessions, neighborhood visits, presentations, and late-night conversations has taught me the importance of trusting others and embracing different perspectives. I have also gained a greater appreciation for Pittsburgh itself. Although I have lived nearby for several years, this program encouraged me to experience the city through an entirely different lens. Instead of simply seeing neighborhoods, I now find myself noticing the businesses, organizations, public spaces, and relationships that shape each community’s unique identity.

Now, however, my attention is beginning to shift toward Ireland. For weeks, Carrigart has existed primarily through articles, reports, interviews, and class discussions. Soon, it will become a real place filled with real people whose stories we have only begun to understand. That transition is what excites me most. I am eager to finally meet the business owners and community members who have been at the center of our research and to see firsthand whether our assumptions match reality. I also look forward to experiencing the culture beyond the classroom, exploring the town, learning about its history, and understanding the daily rhythms of life in a small Irish community. I know there will be moments that challenge my perspective, and I think those experiences will ultimately be the most valuable part of this journey.

As we prepare to leave Pittsburgh behind, I cannot help but feel grateful for everything this portion of the program has provided. Each class, speaker, and community visit has added another piece to my understanding of what it means to create meaningful and sustainable change. While I am proud of everything we have accomplished so far, I also recognize that this has only been the beginning. The research we have completed and the lessons we have learned are about to be tested in the place that inspired them. With our departure for Ireland just around the corner, I feel both prepared and eager to take the next step, continuing this journey not only as a student and consultant but as someone ready to learn directly from the community we have spent the past two weeks studying.