What have I learned in Ireland?

This question has been on my mind lately. As my time in Dublin is running out I've started thinking about this whole experience. What have I learned? What am I going to miss?

When I was booking my flights last summer I didn't have any idea what was coming ahead of me. Nor did I have any idea of it when I was answering my nowadays roommate's Facebook-message in the Erasmus-group last August. But oh boy if only I had kown how many great experiences I would be having in future months.

To start, I've visited places I didn't have any idea even existed but as I've traveled the need of seeing more has grown in me. I've been constantly amazed how lucky I am to spend time in such a beautiful place and to meet all these wonderful people. I've been taking more pictures than probably ever before (seriously, I've been taking them everywhere - in a train, while being at a run, at parties, when walking home…the list could just go on and on). I've had tears in my eyes, I've been crying but then I've always smiled. And that I've done a lot. I've been terrified of places I've been (mostly how high I am) and at the same time I've been gasping my breath for how amazing that place has been. I've been climbing up hills and stairs that have felt never ending - but every time I've gotten up I've realized the whole I-will-never-walk-any-hills/stairs-ever-again -feeling has been totally worth it.

Some of the amazing places I've been to. Most of the landscapes and places to see in Dublin and in Ireland have made me gasp my breath and smile because of their beauty.

The experiences I've had here are actually beyond great. I've gotten to meet some of the most amazing people with whom I hope I'll stay in touch and see later in life also. I've shared a house with two girls who were first complete strangers to me but now I feel happy I've gotten to know them both. I've met people from different places who might have nothing else in common but their genuine openness and kindness towards other people. And these people have taught me so much about other cultures and countries, but most important things I've learned from these people are lessons about attitudes and life. I've done things with these people I never thought I would do in my life – for example, I’ve seen a rugby world-cup game between Italy and France, eaten French and Italian food cooked by French and Italian people elsewhere than in a restaurant, and gone to Octoberfest in Dublin. I've had so much fun and fantastic moments with you guys. Besides laughter there has also been deeper conversations and occasional tears. I’m so grateful of how genuinely nice and open everyone has been. You are amazing. Every single one of you. And I'm thankful I've had the chance to meet you. You are the ones that have made this whole experience so amazing to me.

Living here has also had an impact on me. Like me-me. I feel this experience has changed me, but in a good way.  I've learned so much about myself here. I've learned to know myself better and to be more merciful with myself. I've learned it's ok if everything doesn't always go as planned and things can still work out well. I've learned that you don't have to be the best all the time - sometimes you don't even have to be good. I've learned to be more polite and used words ''thanks'' and ''sorry'' probably more than ever before. I've learned to be more open-minded and to respect and understand other people's thoughts more. I’ve learned that it is important to do things you actually enjoy and not just things you have to do. I've gained courage to do things on my own and to go to events and places I might not know anyone from. I've started to appreciate my loved ones even more than before and learned also the importance of showing them I care about them. I've learned that I can actually move to another country without my loved ones near me and actually survive it - and not only survive but enjoy it also.

 

 

And here's some pictures of the amazing people I've met here. Obviously, there are many people that are not included in these pics but only because there is not any pictures of us or they are just too ugly to be published. But you guys, also you that are not in the pics, you are awesome.

 

So, to go back to the initial questions, and what have I learned in Dublin and what will I miss in Dublin or in Ireland? To the first question, the answer is that I've learned so, so much. I've learned about myself, about other people and about places and cultures, respectively. Even though I've only been here for 3 months it doesn't feel like it. Time has gone so, so, soooo fast but still I feel like I've grown at least 3 years. This experience has given me so much and I've learned incredibly many new things and I feel I’ve got so much to bring back to Finland – besides knowing the meaning of word ‘craic’ and the drinking game I learned from the French people. I’ve got new points of view, so many great memories, and better understanding of different people and myself to bring when I go back.
But what will I miss from here? Well, I know I am going to miss Dublin - and not the least because Guinness and Bulmers are cheaper here than back at home. I'm going to miss this place because this has become my other home. I’ve felt here more quickly like being at home than anywhere I’ve lived before. I am going to miss the rush hour LUAS, crowded Grafton Street, Penneys, the park in Clonskelagh, the colorful doors, and pretty much all the places I’ve seen in Ireland. But most of all, I am going to miss the warmth and kindness I have encountered here. The woman in the Tesco on Fleet Street calling me ‘’love’’. People smiling when they make random eye contact. The happy and friendly atmosphere in pubs. The people I’ve met here who have become so very dear to me and from whom I've learned so very much. I know that when I will be in Finland, walking down the street with cold wind and rain hitting my face I will think that at times the weather was just as bad in Ireland. But still I enjoyed every second of it.

"When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart."

- James Joyce