As our time in Donegal continues, I have started paying closer attention not only to the places we visit but also to the people experiencing them alongside us. Throughout the week, we have seen tourism take many different forms, from the lively atmosphere of the Downings Festival to the scenic pull of the Wild Atlantic…

After spending the past several days exploring Northern Ireland, I thought I had begun to understand how much the landscape shapes the identity of a place. However, our travels through Donegal have shown me that the landscape cannot really be separated from the weather that defines it. Over the course of just two days, we…

After spending the past two weeks preparing in Pittsburgh, finally stepping into Carrigart felt both familiar and completely new. Throughout the program, we have studied the town through research, maps, conversations with our client, and discussions in class. I thought I had developed a fairly clear picture of what Carrigart would be like, but walking…

As our time in Northern Ireland continues, I have begun to notice that every place we visit tells a story. Whether that story is shaped by dramatic landscapes, centuries of history, or difficult moments of conflict, none of these places simply speak for themselves. Instead, each one has been carefully interpreted by guides, museums, and…

After nearly two weeks of preparing in Pittsburgh, finally arriving in Northern Ireland felt like the moment everything we had been working toward became real. For days we had discussed history, community development, and the importance of understanding a place beyond what could be learned through research alone. While I expected Northern Ireland to be…

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…

By the tenth day of the program, I have begun to notice that each speaker is no longer introducing an entirely new concept but instead adding another layer to ideas we have already been exploring. What initially seemed like separate discussions on consulting, marketing, and community development are starting to overlap in ways I had…

Visiting the Irish Design Center today and chatting with owner Tom Petrone offered an incredible look into how a specialty retail store can operate as a living cultural hub rather than just a standard gift shop. What makes Tom’s approach so unique is that every single item on the shelves, from traditional Claddagh rings and…