As we are in our fourth week here in Dublin, I feel a need to express my gratitude not just toward this program but all the people involved. I know many have touched on this but I felt as though I wanted to emphasize the amazing people I have met on this trip. Coming into this trip, I had a lot of nerves given I really did not know anybody that well. I consistently was overwhelmed with thoughts regarding whether I would find my place within all the people here. I think this is always a thought when arriving at a new place and not knowing anyone extremely well.
The moment I arrived at the airport in New York, I realized quickly I would be fine. I ended up being on the same flight as Cat and Aliyah in which we all quickly hit it off and mutually shared our excitement of doing this program. When arriving in Dublin, I instantly felt the sense of family through the people here. This comfort when being away from home was something I had not expected so quickly on the trip. I knew that the people I was meeting were going to be my lifelong friends. I knew that these people would forever be my Dublin family. I knew that I was going to have the most amazing experience here in Dublin and doing it with people I love and appreciate. All of us are so different but when we come together it all makes sense. Throughout the past four weeks, the connection between all of us has become stronger and stronger. We value eachother for our differences and backgrounds making everyone who they are today. I have become so grateful for everyone here in which they have made this experience so comforting and fun.
As many know, we spend our summers living at the UCD campus. At UCD we have apartments for 6 students. We happened to get a situation where 18 of us ended up all on one floor. Almost everynight we all end up in one of the apartments catching up on our days and nights sharing many many laughs. This is one of my favorite parts of the day, sitting on the couch with all my friends telling them about all the funny, happy, and shocking stories I have experienced here in Dublin. This quality time has brought us all together to make us one big family. These are some moments that I will remember forever and have made my experience abroad so amazing. I am so incredibly grateful for the family I have met and to be able to be with them in such a historic, beautiful city. I look forward everyday to the new stories and experiences I will see and hear. Thank you Bucknell in Dublin for making this the best possible experience and for making everything happen.
