I am writing this blog on my first day back from my time abroad in Dublin, and it honestly feels so surreal. I am incredibly grateful for the experience, as well as all the help I have received along the way, which made this whole program possible. Study abroad has challenged me in ways that I never expected and has helped me grow not only as a student, but as a future professional and as a person.
One of the most important soft skills I believe that I developed during my time in Dublin was adaptability. From adjusting to a new academic environment at IES Abroad, a college that operates very differently from what I am used to at the University of Pittsburgh, to navigating unfamiliar cultural norms, I constantly had to think on my feet. As a psychology and Business major, I am not used to taking so many literature and history classes, which helped push me out of my comfort zone. It was refreshing to think about literature and media critically, analyzing content far beyond what I was used to. Additionally, many of our classes took place outside, encouraging us to really connect with the city around us and immerse ourselves in the culture. This required many different modes of travel, interaction, and trying new things. I had to quickly learn how to adapt to the new culture, ways of life, and school system. I was very surprised to be met with a lifestyle that operated much more slowly and calmly than that in America. I loved being able to see how people value their work-life balance and still make time to enjoy their passions outside of school and work, which is often rare in the U.S. I was inspired hearing about all of my professors’ hobbies and how they are still able to keep up with them despite working every day. I hope that I can do that one day too!
Another skill I found very important was cross-cultural communication. While most people spoke English in Ireland, it was my other trips that really helped put this skill into perspective. While abroad, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona, Marseille, and a few cities in Italy. At first, I was very stressed as I did not speak any of the national languages, but after a while, I learned to embrace the unknown and push myself to communicate nonetheless. In addition to relying on context clues, nonverbal cues, and translation apps, I immersed myself in the culture and even made it a goal of mine to learn bits and pieces of the language from locals. These experiences taught me that effective communication involves patience, empathy, and passion. That mindset not only made me a more confident traveler but also someone who is better equipped to collaborate across cultures in both academic and professional settings.
One of my greatest takeaways is the importance of stepping outside of your usual environment to gain a broader perspective. I have learned to be more empathetic, ask questions, and see differences as opportunities for growth, rather than something that holds you back. I tend to be a very shy person, but this experience has pushed me to connect with those around me more. As I return to Pitt this fall, I plan to bring these lessons into my coursework, projects, and leadership roles. I also hope that my experience helps encourage students who may have been nervous to study abroad, as I was at first, to take the leap and engage in this amazing journey.
I know that this experience will be greatly beneficial to my professional journey, no matter where I find myself. I have made amazing friends, memories, and I know I will cherish studying abroad forever!