Looking back on just a few quick days on this summer program, I am brought to not only emotions of appreciation and gratitude, but am able to insightfully acknowledge the growth that is going to happen throughout these next eight weeks. On Friday evening, I entered Newark Airport as someone who has yet to leave the country and was planning to do so for an extended amount of time. As one can imagine, there was a handful of thoughts that coincides with an experience as such. Excitement, uncertainty, appreciation, anticipation; the list goes on. Upon arrival to our flat, I was elated to see the incredible views that were offered to us in every single room through floor to ceiling windows. These views include the Irish countryside, but also the beautiful coast going on for miles in either direction. This was truly something that had never been captured in pictures prior to arriving here. As silly as it may sound, the amount of times my roommates and I have stared out the windows with complete admiration of the country we are in are innumerable. It truly does encapsulate so many aspects of what the country has to offer through its beauty and I am nothing short of incredibly appreciative to enjoy it.
It is also incredibly important for me to acknowledge many of the aspects of the country that have surprised me throughout these past few days. On the second night, we had noticed the commonality in how late the sun had set, elongated the daylight that Ireland has in the summer. This was something that I had never realized with its location and time changes throughout the year. I normally know the sun to set around 9:00PM in peak summer months, but here in the beginning of June, there is still faint light up until around 10:00PM. Because of this, many individuals are still being active on runs, walks, or simply enjoying the sunset when others are going to bed for their morning wake-up. Moreover, the biggest challenge for me thus far is the public transportation. Coming from an area in Pennsylvania that does not use buses or trains nearly as much as Ireland does, it has been an adjustment that I was hoping to more quickly acclimate to. While this factor hasn’t been easy, the best advice I have received so far is to be patient with ourselves which I am doing my best to implement.
More than anything, I recognize the growth this trip has already provided to me. It has broadened my scope of the world already in such a short time. I have a greater appreciation for Ireland as a country than I ever could have before and I look forward to continuing to learn more about the nation as well as myself throughout this educational internship program and class that I am partaking in.
The view from our flat in the common space.
Beautiful buildings in the morning light in the neighborhood in which my internship is located.
This was taken on the first day outside Dundrum Town Centre after going for our first grocery store trip!
Visiting The Temple Bar for the first time.
Captured our first meal in Dublin which included calamari and vegetables as well as a margarita pizza.