The distinction between old and new Ireland is so clear and direct you’d have to be blind not to see it. The distinction is visible in the physical environment and the people. When we first arrived in Ireland, it was not as easy to see the gentrification that the country allowed to grow and thrive here. I noticed similar-sized houses and relatively similar streets wherever we went. Today, on the other hand, with Dr. Kelly we were able to go down to Docklands/business district, where he talked us through the evolution of Ireland and its growth of being a major player in the World’s economy. I was intrigued by his usage of circular story-telling and always coming back to his main points while he taught us just a little part of his knowledge of Irish history and its humble beginnings. Today was the first day of our time here that I was able to see the stark look of industrialization in Dublin; the other parts of Dublin look like any of the other typical European cities that I have been to. The Docklands and the business district as a whole hold the heart of the “new Ireland.” It has a completely removed aspect as it has similarities to new parts of New York City, with modern architecture and huge Fortune 500 companies. Walking around, I felt like I was walking through a newly renovated Pittsburgh financial district! It is crazy how Ireland, in its short 100 years of independence, has grown so much and brought great modernization to its land. Thinkhouse supporting a youth-driven strategy plays right into this modernization because the younger generations are going to be what keeps Ireland a key player in the global economy. With that, one discovery that I have made at the conclusion of this day is that the cultural differences that I thought would be the most important were not what are according to Dr. Kelly! He spoke a lot about relationship building and minding the manners and service attitude that Americans have when on Irish land. Something I never considered but will in future encounters.