When we first found out that we would be able spend half a year in Dublin as a part of our apprenticeship, we were excited… but also really nervous. Moving to a new country, starting school and work in a completely different place, and being far away from home felt like a huge step for us. Now that our time in Dublin is coming to an end, we can honestly say: this exchange was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught us so much and helped us grow in ways we didn’t expect. This blog is our little “goodbye” to Dublin, and also a message for the new students who will come here next year.

Arriving in Dublin (and feeling overwhelmed at first)

The first days in Dublin were a mix of emotions. Everything felt new: the city, the accents, the transport system, the weather (yes… it really rains a lot), and the feeling of suddenly having to manage everything by ourselves. At the beginning, even simple things felt stressful. Finding the right way to get to school or work, understanding how life works here, and speaking English all day was tiring. But we quickly learned something important: It’s completely normal to feel lost at first, and it gets easier faster than you think.

School and work: our new routine

Our exchange wasn’t just about exploring Ireland, we were here for our apprenticeship, which meant our everyday life was a balance between school and work.

School

School in Dublin was different compared to what we were used to at home. We had to adapt to new teachers, new subjects, and a new way of learning. At first, we were worried that we wouldn’t understand everything, especially because of the language and how fast people speak here. But after a few weeks, we felt much more comfortable. We improved our English a lot, and we also became more confident in class. Even if we didn’t understand everything immediately, we learned to ask questions and just keep going.

Work

Working in Dublin was also a big part of our experience. It taught us how to be independent and responsible in a new environment. Sometimes it was challenging because everything was unfamiliar, but that’s exactly what made it such a valuable experience. We learned that even if we feel unsure in the beginning, we can still do a good job — we just need time to adjust. Life outside school and work. Dublin is a city with a special vibe. It’s busy and loud, but at the same time friendly and full of

character. What we liked most is that there is always something going on, even if it’s just walking through the city and discovering new places.

Some of our favourite things about Dublin were:

• walking through the city centre

• exploring new streets and areas

• going into cafés when it was raining (which happened a lot)

• seeing the River Liffey and the bridges

• meeting new people and experiencing the Irish atmosphere

Even though Dublin can be expensive and the weather isn’t always perfect, it still feels like a warm and welcoming city. People are usually open and helpful, which made it easier for us to feel comfortable here.

The biggest challenges (and what they taught us)

Of course, not everything was easy. Living abroad always comes with challenges.

1. Missing home

At some point, we both missed home, our families, our friends, and familiar routines. That’s normal. But we also realised that missing home doesn’t mean we’re doing badly — it just means we care.

2. Being independent

In Dublin, we had to organise everything ourselves: transport, food, time management, school and work, and planning our weeks. It made us grow up a lot and become more responsible.

3. Confidence

In the beginning, we sometimes doubted ourselves. But the more we handled new situations, the more we trusted ourselves. Now we know: We are capable of much more than we thought.

For the new students coming next year: our advice

If you’re reading this and you’re going to Dublin soon, we want you to know something: You will be nervous — and that’s totally okay. Almost everyone feels nervous before leaving. But this experience is worth it.

Here are a few tips we would give you:

Give yourself time - The first 1–2 weeks might feel strange. Don’t panic — it gets better.

Speak English, even if it’s not perfect - The more you speak, the faster you improve. People won’t judge you.

Explore the city - Even small walks help you feel more at home.

Don’t stay inside all the time - It’s easy to hide when you feel overwhelmed, but going outside helps a lot.

Enjoy it and make memories - This exchange goes by so fast. Take photos, try new things, and live in the moment.

Saying goodbye

Now that our time in Dublin is ending, it feels strange to leave. Dublin became part of our daily life. It’s the place where we learned, worked, improved our English, and became more independent. This exchange wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it.

So… goodbye Dublin. And to the new students coming next year: enjoy every second - you’re going to grow so much here.