I arrived in Dublin on Saturday morning after eagerly awaiting my arrival for weeks. A few other students and I were transported to UCD and began to create new friendships, especially as more people arrived. On the first day, my roommates and I experimented with the public transport system and took the bus to the Dundrum shopping center to get some basic necessities. I was shocked by how easy and accessible the bus system is.
On Sunday, I enjoyed having orientation to learn more about the city of Dublin, our internships, and trips that we will take as a group. It was great to interact with everyone in the program, especially Lea, Sarah, Professor Aikey, and Dean Kepner. It was also useful to explore campus with a tour guide. Later in the afternoon, my roommates and I went grocery shopping, had an excellent dinner, and explored downtown Dublin. We visited the famous Temple Bar and eventually met up with some of our classmates which was so much fun. I love the unique environment and contagious energy that fills the city.
Our first day of class we discussed the differences in the security of personal data in the United States and Ireland. It was interesting to learn about how perspectives on privacy varied between countries. I really enjoyed this class since we are able to easily relate to the ideas we discussed. At the EPIC museum, it was interesting to learn more about the history of Ireland and some things that it is best known for to this day.
I was most nervous for my first day of work at TaxAssist Accountants, but after meeting my supervisor and the other employees, I felt comfortable and excited to begin my work with them. I spent time making excel spreadsheets and checking year end balances for purchases and sales. I also learned that many Irish companies pay weekly on Tuesdays, so I worked on payrolls with an employee and was introduced to new software. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with such great people, and am excited to continue to learn new skills.
Although it has only been a few days, I have learned so much about the city and am excited to keep exploring! I will continue to immerse myself in the Irish culture and take advantage of every unique opportunity. I can’t wait to continue to build relationships with these amazing people, expand my knowledge, and grow as an individual.
