After a long flight, I made it back to America and I had some time to reflect on my experiences in Ireland. The past two weeks have been jam packed with company visits, sightseeing, and exploring the city. I feel like we definitely made the most of this short time, and there is so much I have to talk about. When people ask me about my experience, I really don’t know where to start. I have learned so much about myself, culture, and business that I could not have discovered anywhere else.
Being in company headquarters gave me a new perspective on the type of company and role I want to have in the future. It showed me what it would be like to work for a multinational company and how culture plays a critical role in your work experience. Being able to see the Cliffs of Moher and rural towns gave me an appreciation for the beauty of Ireland. Learning about Irish history and culture has helped me understand and appreciate Irish people. Some of my favorite parts of the trip were just walking around Dublin and taking it all in.
When I look back though, some of the most memorable moments were with the people I met on this trip. People I had only met a few times prior turned into great friends and relationships I will value forever. Phil and Meade were great leaders and I look forward to seeing them in Sennott next semester. We also met so many new people when we were exploring on our own. These interactions with people from Ireland and all over the world were so interesting and fun. I will miss all of these people so much.
Through this new experience, I have gained many new skills. Making new friends and meeting new people has helped me develop my networking and relationship-building skills. From the company visits and guest speakers I better understand how to make connections in a business environment and how important they are. Socially, I know how to go out of my comfort zone and talk to strangers, especially those who culturally differ. Through our group project and the company visits, I learned so much about business in Ireland and Europe in general. I know how business is done there, which will give me an advantage as I enter the workforce and encounter different cultures.
Overall, this was an amazing experience full of learning and so much fun. I’m grateful for all the blogs I wrote and pictures I took, so I can cherish these memories. This trip was worth every penny, and I can’t wait to go back to Europe soon. It has even made me curious about studying abroad for a semester next year! I am so grateful for everybody that made this happen and all of my experiences.