Pre-Departure!

I can’t believe June 12^th has finally arrived!  I’ve been looking forward to this day since I learned that I would be spending my summer in Dublin.  Since the weather will be in the 50s and 60s throughout the duration of my stay, I thought that I would title this blog “It’s a beautiful day… don’t let it get away.”  But that’s not the only significance to the title!  The lyrics are by U2, and Bono, the lead singer, lives in Dublin!  If I’m lucky maybe I’ll run into him.

On another note, my family has made sure that I’m prepared for this adventure.  I have about 6 maps and 5 guidebooks.  It sounds crazy, but they know that a) I myself have a tendency to get lost, even in my own town, and b) I lose things like its my job.  By the end of these two months, hopefully I will have mastered the ability to navigate my way around, if I don’t manage to lose all of my maps first.

While I'm in Dublin, I'll be interning at The Center of Educational and Social Research at DIT, which is a research center that seeks to improve the quality of life of children, family and society.  Here's the company website:  http://www.cser.ie/.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the responsibilities I will have, and I am ready for my confirmation interview once I arrive in Dublin.  I'll definitely post updates about my internship once I find out more!  On the weekends, I hope to do some traveling around Europe.

I have mixed emotions when it comes to my time abroad.  I'm excited to meet new people and immerse myself in a new country and culture, but I'm also nervous that I might experience culture shock and new challenges in my internship.  I remember feeling similarly before I went to overnight camp, but instead of staying in the comfort of the Midwest this time I'll be in an entirely new country!  The two situations are extremely different, but my nerves aren't stopping me, and I'm ready to "take Dublin."  Stay tuned.

("I'll bring you the biggest suitcase that is legally possible on the flight." Dad.  Guess I over-packed...)