As I reach the end of my study abroad program, I’ve found myself quietly taking stock of the differences, both big and small, between life in Dublin and life back home. Some are practical, some are cultural, and some have caught me off guard by how much I’ve grown to appreciate them.

Firstly, every plastic bottle here comes with an attached bottle cap. At first, I found it oddly frustrating as someone who tends to absentmindedly fiddle with the cap while sipping, but over time, I’ve come to love this little quirk. It’s such a small detail, but it speaks to something deeper: intentionality. Things here seem designed with thoughtfulness (and with the environment) in mind, not just convenience. Having the bottle caps attached to improve recycling and reduce litter not only illustrates how serious Ireland is on sustainable practices, but also how such a small change in everyday culture can make a difference. And it also means I’ve stopped losing bottle caps in the bottom of my bag.

Then there’s the luxury of public transportation and walkability. Dublin is a city that invites you to slow down, to look up from your phone, and to actually take in your surroundings. Back home, I’m used to rushing from place to place in a car, barely noticing the world passing by. Here, walking has become not just a way to get somewhere, but a moment of peace in my day. I’ve been able to enjoy fun conversations on my 30 minute bus ride into and from the city, share airpods with friends walking to our destination, and admire the scenic routes to smaller villages outside Dublin. I will most definitely miss not being able to read while being transported to a seaside village when I come home!

Safety is another understated luxury. I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable walking alone here, even at night. I’ve always been a person who enjoys running around Colonial Williamsburg at night, but I knew coming into this that running alone in the dark in an international city was not the move. However, I was stunned to find how safe I felt here. While I will rarely be caught alone in the city after dark, I have no issue walking or running around the UCD campus at night. It’s something I never take for granted, and it’s made solo exploring not just possible, but joyful.

And then there’s the light. The endless summer evenings stretch well past 10 pm, bathing the city in a soft glow that makes time feel slower and more generous. It’s hard not to romanticize everything when golden hour lasts for hours. The sun rises at 4am, (blocked out by my blackout curtains of course), which welcomes each day that seemingly feels like three days in one. It;s truly a blessing to have so much time in a program jam packed with classwork, excursions, and so much fun. 

All of these things have become a backdrop to a slower, more intentional version of my life. Dublin has taught me to savor the in-between moments: a coffee enjoyed without multitasking, a walk that doesn’t need a destination, a conversation that isn’t rushed. In a world that often equates productivity with worth, this slower pace feels like a little rebellion. And it’s one I hope to take with me long after I leave.

The last two weeks of the program were dedicated to the most anticipated class, finance. Finance has the reputation of being by far the most difficult content, and with only two weeks to learn and be assessed, there’s little room for error. It was a bit of an abrupt change going from complete freedom and time after class, cute aesthetic studying in a cafe, and lots of group dinners to independent studying for hours, lack of sleep, and quick Centra dinners. Collectively, we all were hesitant and anxious about finance hearing the stories of students failing, up studying until the wee hours of the morning. Spoiler, it was so much better than we expected. I had the pleasure of being taught by the wonderful Professor Skimmyhorn, who, I won’t lie, was super intimidating at first having a background in both West Point and Harvard. I fully expected to be behind and not understand any of the content. For context, in our orientation it was explained that the grading scale was altered so that an A was 80-100, B 70-80, etc. and that most students fail the first quiz, which is never a good sign. It turns out that our class all passed the first quiz, and really well! Out of the 8 total days we had class, 6 had some type of assessment, and we had a quiz on the very first class. If anything, this class was a bonding experience with us all trying to figure out how to do a case study the night before the course started and trying to print on campus for the first time when every building was closed. What was believed to be the hardest part of the program quickly became a stressful yet exhilarating experience. I won’t say it was completely easy, I did in fact study all day until 1 and wake up at 7 to study again most days. We had class from 9:30-3:00 with an hour break for lunch. But as a group, we did more than survive. We flourished! In between the blocks of studying I began to ease myself back into running, having taken months off of dance and any physical activity besides walking. Discovering a new running path each time made me appreciate the larger size of campus in comparison to William & Mary. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Colonial Williamsburg runs!! Fortunately or unfortunately, however you’d like to see it, I had my birthday on the second week of finance. It was the perfect storm of quizzes, my family in town, sleep exhaustion, and cadbury chocolate. Having only known my classmates for a couple weeks, we’ve already become such great friends that they organized a birthday picnic right after class. It really was the best day despite having to study on the bus home after family dinner at a pub. All in all, halfway done, halfway to go, I honestly wish the program was longer. Studying abroad is proving to be just the thing I needed and at the perfect time.

This summer I have the pleasure to be traveling to Dublin, Ireland where, along with 14 other W&M students, I’ll be studying all about global business. Having nearly completed my junior year, I didn’t think studying abroad was in the cards for me, but this perfect opportunity arose exactly when I needed it! I distinctly remember perusing summer opportunities here at W&M and finding the Mason Business Minor Program wishing it was held abroad. Turns out it was, and in Ireland no less! During this program, a small group of students learn from star faculty including Professor Skimmyhorn, Professor Teller, and Dr. Edmiston on various business topics leading to the completion of a minor in Global Business (all within 4 months!). I am so beyond excited to not only travel and live in Dublin for two months, but also be immersed in a new learning environment. 

To begin building the foundation of our program, the students and faculty gathered for program orientation this past Saturday. We listened to presentations on the courses we’ll be taking: marketing, management, finance, innovation & design thinking, and global business immersion. 

Having spent most of my academic experiences studying biology, this introduction to business classes was nothing like I expected. During the intro to Management in a Global Environment we were told to ask the person next to us, “when was the last time you cried in front of someone.” To tell you I was stunned and confused at this moment would be an understatement, but it made so much sense as the lecture went on. This question led to a deeper discussion of polarization as a global reality and how finding connections and becoming better communicators can help elevate leadership and management skills. Having this phenomenal lecture just in program orientation really sets the bar high for this summer! 

In addition to learning inside the classroom, we’ll be taking weekend trips to various locations within Ireland and Northern Ireland! In addition to these excursions, I hope to continue dancing abroad as an Irish dancer myself! This program will truly be an immersive experience that is sure to have a profound impact on my academic, personal, and professional career. You could feel the growing anticipation and excitement of everyone during orientation which certainly made me buzzing to begin! 

Join me on this journey to chasing dreams and a Global Business Minor by following along during the Dublin Diaries!