Mountjoy Maiden: Final Saga

                                                                                    “Mountjoy is so important to me” – Mercedes Hamilton

As I sit here, reflecting on my time in Dublin, I find myself thinking about the last days spent in this city that I’ve come to cherish so much. My friend and I chose to spend one of those final moments together on the roof of Beckett House, our temporary home for the semester. Beckett House, near Mountjoy Sqaure, has been such a significant part of our lives, and arriving here in August was a realization we never imagined – a place that fostered so many meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences. Walking around Parnell Street, a place with a reputation for being a bit gritty, I found myself drawn to its eclectic charm. It wasn’t the most polished part of Dublin, but that’s what made it so special. Parnell became our gateway to everywhere-its diverse energy mirrored the vibrancy of the city itself. From here, I could easily reach Trinity College, the train station, or even the airport within minutes. But more importantly, it was from Parnell that I found a bridge to Europe, as weekends would often find me exploring new countries, each experience adding a new layer to my understanding of the world.

It’s funny how arriving in Dublin, I spent so much of my time missing home, my family, my friends, and the familiar comfort of Austin College. However, after spending so much time in a location such as Dublin, I have been so happy with what I have gotten the chance to experience and how it has molded my mind that going home feels like a stagnant motion. Home, as excited as I am to be back in my routine, now feels like stepping into a space that has stopped moving, like I’m missing out on the forward momentum I’ve found here.

When I first made the decision to study abroad, I had no idea how much it would push me, not just academically but personally. Stepping into a new education system, adjusting to a different culture, and navigating like in a foreign city required more time, energy, and patience than I initially anticipated. Yes, the allure of travel, of studying in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, was enough to make me take the leap. But what I didn’t expect was how the experience would force me to spend so much time with myself. 

For someone who was so used to being busy, constantly surrounded by friends, organizational commitments and academic commitments, spending time alone felt strange at first. But as the weeks wore on, I began to embrace it. I learned how to connect with myself in ways I never had before. I realized that traveling through Europe and exploring new cultures wasn’t just about checking off boxes on a map- it was about taking the time to understand myself and what I wanted from life. It’s one thing to see the world, but it’s something entirely different to understand what seeing it does to you. 

Studying at Trinity, I encountered an education system that was both challenging and rewarding. The focus in two major assignments per class meant that every piece of work felt significant, and finals became a much more intense experience than I was used to. Taking a multiple-choice exam in a massive gym with over 300 students while a train rumbled loudly overhead created a stressful atmosphere that was hard to shake. It made me long for the quiet exam rooms back at Austin College, where the environment felt more controlled and familiar. Despite the stress, there was something exhilarating about Trinity’s approach. Their education system pushed me to think differently, to embrace uncertainty, and to deal with the pressure of fewer opportunities to demonstrate my knowledge. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned here, even if they sometimes came wrapped in anxiety and stress. But after navigating this system, I’m also ready to return to a university where I feel like I have more chances to contribute to my final grade through multiple assignments and feedback. 

One of the greatest gifts of studying abroad has been the freedom to explore. Trinity’s academic calendar, with fewer assignments and deadlines, allowed me to have weekends free to travel, to see new places and make friends from different places. While I worked hard during the week, those free weekends became a gift, becoming a breath of fresh air that helped me reframe and appreciate things from a new perspective. 

As I near the end of my study abroad experience, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I will always be proud of October 2023 Shreya for building the courage to step into the study abroad office and make a decision that January 2025 Shreya will appreciate forever. In the end, study abroad isn’t just about the places you visit or the adventures you have. It’s about the quiet moments, the internal shifts, and the growth that happens when you challenge yourself to step into the unknown. I will forever hold this experience in my heart as a chapter that helped me find major parts of myself.