At the end of six weeks, I’m raising a pint of Guinness to commemorate a splendid summer in Ireland.
Cheers to new places- both in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. I couldn’t have imagined the delight of being in the middle of Grand Place in Brussels with a chocolate-soaked Belgian waffle, walking alongside beautiful Loch Lomond in Scotland and clapping along to traditional Irish music in Killarney.
![The view from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland](http://blogs.iesabroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0858-300x231.jpg)
The view from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland
Cheers to a great internship- one that allowed me to adjust to a new work environment and learn as much as I could about production, interview techniques and Dublin City FM’s many programs. To the staff for poking fun at my accent and still trusting me to read the news on-air.
Cheers to realizing self competency- sometimes buses were missed, wrong streets were wandered down and map routes were rendered useless. There is value in getting lost and figuring out what to do next.
Cheers to a broadened comfort zone- be it mountain climbing, attempting a conversation in another language or trying a new dish, study abroad is a haven for adventure.
![The view from Carrauntoohil, County Kerry](http://blogs.iesabroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0422-300x225.jpg)
The view from Carrauntoohil, County Kerry
Cheers to new friends- nights of cooking pasta and microwave eggs in the kitchen must have molded a special bond between my roommates and I. New friends were everywhere to be found- in hostels, in our study abroad group, in pubs around town. The world is truly full of amazing people.
Cheers to habit forming- finding my favorite (cheap) lunch café, my daily walk to work, jogs along the Grand Canal and the bakery I stumbled upon after walking the wrong way all made Dublin feel more like home.
Cheers to getting to know and love a city- Dublin was enticing in the beginning and now feels like an old friend. It’s a remarkable combination of history, modernity, lust for life in the moment and depth of heart. I’ll always want to return to the city that became mine for six weeks.
![Sunset on the River Liffey](http://blogs.iesabroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0677-300x225.jpg)
Sunset on the River Liffey
Cheers to travel- for opening my eyes and providing me a plethora of new experiences, triumphs, pitfalls, lessons and joys. For what I hope is only the beginning of a lifelong love affair with exploring all that the world has to offer.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/blogger_profile/public/2022-07/21/Thompson.jpg?itok=91p9xKn2)
Rachel Thompson
<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);">Hi there! I'm a California native studying journalism in one of the coolest cities in the world, at The University of Texas at Austin. I'm a fan of chocolate, watching sports (go Giants), nice people, anything vintage and pretty much all music. I write as much as I can, whether it's a news article, a blog, or just a journal entry. When I'm not writing, I love to run, try new recipes in my little kitchen, take dance classes and catch up with friends. My goal is to see every continent someday. I'm getting there!</span></p>