As this final blog post begins, I just want to say, I can’t believe how quickly this summer flew by. Honestly, it still feels like I just arrived in Ireland, and yet somehow, it’s already time to leave. Over the past two months, between exploring the country and working at Prodieco, I’ve created memories that I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Working at Prodieco has taught me a lot about myself and what I value in a professional environment. Being part of the R&D team showed me how collaborative and close-knit a workplace can be. People are always willing to help one another, because completing a project faster and more efficiently benefits everyone. I also appreciated how open my coworkers were to teaching new skills, it made me feel supported while also contributing to the team. During my time there, I improved my part modeling, assembly, and drawing skills, and added sheet metal design and surfacing to my SolidWorks experience.
One surprising personal takeaway: I’ve realized I’m not someone who can sit still in a desk chair all day. Luckily, Prodieco had standing desks, which made a big difference in how I felt throughout the workday. That’s definitely something I’ll consider when evaluating future job opportunities. My time at Prodieco, though demanding, was incredibly rewarding and gave me a clearer understanding of the type of work environment I’ll seek moving forward.
Outside of work, I explored Dublin’s food scene and discovered some incredible spots I’d recommend to any visitor. While I cooked most nights, a few places stood out. The Rolling Donut has the best brioche donuts I’ve had in Ireland; my favorites were the apple crumble and blueberry cheesecake. For coffee and snacks, Bakeology, an Argentinian bakery, was my go-to, especially for their empanadas. As a huge fan of Neapolitan pizza, I also loved Pi Pizza, Dough Bros, and Little Pyg; all of which I’d visit again in a heartbeat.
Of course, no trip to Ireland would be complete without fish and chips. I found great spots in several different fishing villages, and my advice is simple: walk around, check out recent reviews, and trust your instincts. There’s something really special about eating fresh fish by the water in a quiet coastal town, it’s one of those small joys that really sticks with you.
During my final week, I revisited some of the places that meant the most to me. I went back to Howth to redo the cliff walk, since the coastal views and natural beauty have been highlights of my time here. I also returned to Poolbeg Lighthouse, which was one of my first memories in Ireland. I walked there again from the UCD campus, just to sit on the rocks, watch the waves, and reflect on the summer, thankfully in clear weather this time, unlike my first visit, when I ended up waiting out a thunderstorm with some local fishermen.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend my summer in Ireland, and this experience has given me memories I’ll never forget.
I love the photos you used in this, great reflection post!
I love your unicorn picture in this post Abbott! It’s really cool that you were able to come away with some insight on yourself and your preferences in the workplace that will definitely be useful in the future.
I’m so happy that you had a great time in Ireland! And same, I can’t work sitting down for too long. I used to have to cover for the admin at my old job and I would drive everyone crazy with the amount of times I would get up and pace the office. I’m happy that you’re finding yourself and who you’re going to become. I’m so happy to have met you and I can’t wait to go on hikes with you in OEL next year!
May your memories last a lifetime! ❤️ Mom & Dad