As my Dublin study abroad program comes to an end, I want to reflect on my time in Europe. I would like to share what went right, what went wrong and all of the insight I have for those  interested in studying abroad at some point.

To get the dramatics out of the way, studying abroad has truly changed my life, and I could not have imagined a better experience. While there were many ups and downs, the experience shaped me in a way I am incredibly grateful for.

I arrived in Ireland with my passport, six pairs of shoes and immense uncertainty about the months ahead. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend bringing that many shoes, but coming into the program with an open mind contributed greatly to my experience.

My first week in Ireland was incredibly dreary and rainy. I didn’t realize how much the weather would impact my mood, but it had me feeling down those first few days. Once the sun came out, however, I began to feel better. I was finally ready to settle into my new environment.

One of the things I’ll miss most about Ireland is the feeling of sitting atop a double-decker bus staring out at the city. 

The first time I took a double-decker bus, I was headed to class, feeling the rush of excitement I get whenever trying something new. Although it might sound mundane, it was a moment I will cherish forever. 

My trip to Derry was one of the highlights of my time abroad, and I’ll never forget the locals I met there. My friends and I stumbled into this tiny pub called The Harp, and we instantly felt welcome. I linked arms and danced to live music with strangers and was hit with a beautiful sense of community and belonging.

Hiking in Glendalough was another one of my favorite adventures. Before Ireland, I didn’t consider myself a hiker — and perhaps I still don’t — but I got to channel my love for nature while on the island. 

Seeing the mountains and small creeks reminded me that life is more than the hustle and bustle of work and school, and I found immense peace in being outdoors. I also loved visiting the iconic Cliffs of Moher and Carrick-a-rede, but Glendalough was my favorite.

Although some think studying abroad is all play — and while there are many opportunities to have fun — I did take classes and work an internship. I interned at a publishing house called New Island Books, where I worked for the editorial and marketing teams.

The experience taught me a lot about the publishing industry, social media marketing and all of the work that goes into the creation of a book. As an avid reader, I loved getting a look behind the curtain.

My favorite moment from working at New Island was attending a book launch for Caitríona Lally’s “Home Economics” at Hodges Figgis — a prominent bookstore in Dublin. Filled with chatter and excitement, the event had a great turnout. I also got to meet Lally, who was incredibly kind and down-to-earth. She even signed my copy!

As much as I enjoyed my time in Ireland, some of my best memories came from my travels to other countries.

Going to France was a dream of mine. Yes, I was one of those kids with an Eiffel Tower themed room in fourth grade. It was everything I hoped for. The architecture was unique and grandiose, and I was blown away by each monument I saw. The pastries were delicious, and some of my favorite moments were spent chatting with friends and locals while sitting outside of restaurants. 

Of all the cities I visited, Amsterdam takes the cake for museums. I went to the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum, and both were vastly different but equally interesting. 

Walking through the Anne Frank House was heartbreaking. It reminded me that history is not the conglomeration of events that impact nations, but rather collections of stories that impact individuals. 

London was my final travel destination before leaving Europe entirely, and I went to see Hadestown in the West End. It really made my musical theater heart sing. Growing up, I was obsessed with watching clips from West End and Broadway shows online, so getting to see a musical in-person was a full-circle moment for me.

For anyone interested in studying abroad, I have a few things I consider non-negotiables. 

Say yes to everything — unless you want to say no, then confidently say no. Take pictures of everything. Use your phone camera, a digital camera or whatever you have. Talk to locals, even if it’s intimidating — they have great stories to tell.

Try activities and foods that scare you, and get outside of your comfort zone as much as possible. You’ll thank yourself for it. Leave your accommodation at least once a day, even if it’s just to take a walk or get groceries. 

Spend your weekends wisely — you’ll only have so many of them. Public transport will be your best friend, so whenever you’re entering a new city, check to see if they have any transit apps. WhatsApp will probably be your primary mode of communication, so make sure you have it downloaded before your trip.

Schedule a regular time to call your loved ones — this will mitigate homesickness. Time zones can make it difficult to keep in touch with those at home, so plan accordingly.

I’m going to miss seeing the River Liffey everyday, and I’m going to miss hearing Irish accents everywhere I go. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m even going to miss accidentally stepping in weird puddles waiting for the bus in The Liberties.

I’ve spent my last week in Dublin procrastinating packing my suitcases and taking in as much of the city as I possibly can before I depart. A city once unfamiliar to me now feels like home.