Temple Rooftop Bar Experience
Church on the way to dinner
First sunny day
Resting in the common room
Dinner
It’s only been 5 days in Dublin, and I’m already feeling like I’ve learned and done a great deal. Of everything I’ve learned at my finance internship this week, one thing was particularly interesting: how to efficiently use Excel, particularly in terms of preparing data for invoice trading. I’d used Microsoft Excel before, but learning shortcuts and formulas in a professional context was the missing link for me and really clicked with me in a way it didn’t previously. I’ve enjoyed learning how these tools apply in real financial processes it’s definitely boosted my confidence.
One place I visited was the EPIC Emigration Museum. I did not expect to like a museum as much as I did, but the interactive exhibitions and moving stories really allowed me to connect to Irish history on a different level. It made me realize how migration contributes to shape one’s identity, which was something I had never really thought about.
One thing that surprised me about a local custom was how late dinners are typically eaten here as opposed to back home. During the summer, I typically dine at 6 PM, however, here eating an 8 PM or 9 PM dinner isn’t at all unusual if there also happens to be live music. I attribute this to how there’s a greater amount of socialization and community time integrated into the culture here it’s a relaxed and social thing.
If you’re in Dublin, I would very much suggest going to Temple Bar not for the beer alone, but for the atmosphere. The live music, the performers in the streets, and the folks there make it seem like the center of the city. Yes, it’s touristy, but worth it. One of the surprising learning opportunities was learning the bus system. I had estimated that public transport must be relatively self-explanatory, but I spent a while getting used to the Leap Card and route numbers. It reminded me how much I take transport home for granted.
One thing I really like here is how friendly and talkative everyone is. Either a person in a café or a person on the sidewalk, everyone really wants to talk. Back home, there’s a sense of rush or transactionality, this was a welcome respite.
I was puzzled once when someone pointed and said, “Your man over there,” and I had assumed they were referring to my friend. It supposedly simply means “that guy,” though. Learning these kinds of little things has been amusing and humbling.
All in all, I’m really thankful for this opportunity to be here and engage with folks from various backgrounds. I’m already learning a great deal and look forward to what’s yet to come.