Hello everyone! My name is Sreya Padamati and I am going to be a senior at the University of Pittsburgh at the School of Nursing. I am from a town about 30 minutes away from Pittsburgh called Cranberry Township. I am very interested in labor and delivery and midwifery, and so I thought Nursing & Midwifery at the Trinity College of Dublin in Ireland would be an amazing opportunity.
I was quite anxious to travel to a new country because it would be my first time traveling alone. However the airport was easy to navigate, especially with the help of kind strangers along the way. Ireland has been an absolute whirlwind so far, packed from start to finish. It began high above the Atlantic on our flight. As we descended, I gazed out my window and immediately noticed the staggering contrast Ireland looked compared to the States. The landscape was a patchwork of green fields with few buildings and tiny winding roads. Everything looked more compact, almost like a village.
After landing, I met up with my friend at the airport and we took a taxi to our hotel. Once we dropped off our bags, we ventured out to explore Dublin. One of our first stops was a charming coffee shop called Dime Coffee Co. right near the Liffey river. We grabbed lattes and strolled through the city, passing the iconic Temple Bar area and soaking in the energy of Dublin. One thing that struck me right away was how well-dressed everyone was. Unlike the U.S., where it’s common to see people in sweatpants running errands, here it seemed like everyone had just stepped out of some kind of event. Blazers and heels were the norm here — even for a walk down the street.
Our first official activity was a visit to the National Museum of Ireland. The walk there was lively. I got to meet some new people, and everyone was incredibly friendly. The museum itself was stunning. I was especially intrigued by the Viking exhibition, which spanned from roughly 800 to 1150 AD. It showcased artifacts from Viking graves found in Kilmainham and Islandbridge — part of one of the largest Viking cemeteries in Europe. These graves are believed to be near the location of Dublin’s first Viking settlement. It was surreal seeing such ancient history up close.
We had a tour guide, Jody, who led us on a walking tour of the city. Jody was energetic and incredibly knowledgeable, not just about Ireland’s rich history, but also about current cultural and political topics. He took us to some significant monuments and shared fascinating stories behind them, making the city feel alive with history. We then had a welcome dinner at The Old Storehouse, a cozy pub with a warm atmosphere and hearty Irish fare. The menu featured local classics like Shepherd’s Pie, Bacon and Cabbage, and Pie & Mash. I went with Bangers & Mash, traditional Irish sausages served over mashed potatoes and smothered in gravy. It was delicious and comforting, the perfect meal after a long day.
Although we were all running on fumes by the end, my friend and I capped off the night with a scoop of gelato from arguably the best gelato place in Dublin – Gino’s. Dublin has already proven to be an incredible place. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the trip has in store and to keep learning more about this beautiful country!
Streets of Dublin
Trinity College of Dublin Bell Tower
Exploring the City with our tour guide, Jody
Traditional Bangers & Mash at The Old Storehouse