Week two in Dublin down, six more to go!
This week, we visited Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, Kilkenny Castle, and the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
During the bus ride to Glendalough, we saw so many sheep, and as someone who lives in the suburbs, I could not wipe the smile off my face. At this point, I probably have more pictures of sheep on my phone than of myself. All the livestock we passed on the way to Glendalough and Kilkenny were free-roaming, a practice that I wish we saw more of in the States. Although the ride to Glendalough was the highlight of my week, the lake and trail were also great. The weather was perfect, and I enjoyed the fresh air before another hour on the bus.
This trip was my first time in Europe, so I loved seeing the architecture and well-kept parks and gardens. Luckily for me, Kilkenny Castle had all of the above. My favorite part of the castle was the guest room overlooking the rose garden. For lunch, a group of us went to a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, which was a much-needed break from the sandwiches and wraps I had been making at the apartment.
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology tour was very entertaining. Our tour guide definitely made the experience by telling jokes to educate us about Ireland’s history. I loved seeing all the jewelry pieces in the displays, from the intricate Bronze Age gold collars called lunulae to amber rings that could be sold in designer shops today. A similarity I have found between Ireland and the United States is the patriotism that each person has for their country. Irish people, like many Americans, take pride in their history and independence, and it has been very heartwarming to see during these past two weeks.
My internship experience has also been great so far! My coworkers and superiors are supportive and friendly. It has been interesting to see the relationship dynamics within the workplace in Ireland. There seems to be less stress on hierarchy, and everything is much more casual, such as the no-dress code and work-from-home Fridays. Today, 6/12/24, Dataships hit an ARR of 1 million dollars! It was a great experience to be part of the team while they achieved this huge milestone. It felt great to be included in this celebration, and I look forward to our celebratory lunch tomorrow!
