I can’t believe I’m writing this but here is my eighth and final blog entry from my time in Dublin. It’s hard to put into words just how much I’ve grown, both personally and professionally, during these past eight weeks. I’ve adapted to the way of Irish life, gained valuable insight into the field of addiction recovery, and built friendships that I know will last a lifetime. These past eight weeks would not have been as incredible as they were if not for the amazing people I was so lucky to spend time with each day. I very well remember after our first day at work, my roommates and I all together in our living room sharing stories and experiences and laughing about the day we had and the busses a few of us missed! This never changed over the weeks (except we did figure out the buses). Each evening I come home and my favorite part of the day is hearing about my roommates’ days and talking to them. They each became such an important part of my life this summer and I am so grateful to call all of them my friend.
To wrap up our final free weekend, my roommates and I took a trip to the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. Everywhere we looked were large mountain landscapes and the bluest waters I’ve ever seen. Despite some intense turbulence on our flight due to storms in the area, we arrived safely. Our first two days, Friday and Saturday, consisted of exploring nearby beaches, relaxing, and swimming in water that was definitely much warmer than the Irish Sea. My family collects magnets on the side of our refrigerator of all the places we have traveled to so I picked one up from a local souvenir shop to remember my time in Mallorca. Sunday was another incredible day as we set sail on a catamaran cruise, exploring remote coves and preserved reefs. I definitely underestimated the strength of the sun and no amount of sunscreen seemed to save me from getting sunburnt! On Monday, we flew back into Dublin and took some time to work on our final projects and prepare for our final week.
Today I had a special lunch with my grandparents, our last get-together before I return back to New Jersey on Saturday. I’ve loved all the time I was able to spend with them and the rest of my family this summer while I was here. I am so grateful for all of the memories that Ireland holds for me and although I am deeply sad to leave, I am so excited to come back for more visits.
Looks like a great trip Kayla! The views and the water look amazing. Definitely a good way to cap off the summer in Ireland!