Scotland Week 2

Research Reflection: 

This week was slow in regard to my project; however, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS) at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. In exchange for free admission to the conference, I only had to volunteer four hours (and free food so obviously I was there…). Overall, it was so amazing to meet professionals in my field and interact with other like-minded students. I attended keynote speakers, poster sessions, panels, and paper presentations. One of my favorite sessions was a panel on all-female inmate research (which was similar to my project this summer!). I truly felt like I was part of an international community, as I now have close friends in Amsterdam, Canada, and Germany. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to all the fleeting connections I made here. Even though these interactions were short, I cherish the shared pre-presentation nerves, the mutual hatred of the lunch sandwiches, and midnight ramen. 

Post-conference!

Evita (genuinely changed my life)

The Crucible at the Globe

Trinity College

Poland reunion :)

Reunion at Westminster Abbey

Neil Young!

yeah....

More Trinity College

Song of the Week: Looking Forward by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

I'm going to live like a free-roamin' soul

Cultural Reflection: 

This was the week where I truly felt like a solo traveler; I understand the hatred for Ryanair #whatisthatbagpolicy. Other than attending the conference this week, I explored Dublin with the students from the conference. Some highlights include a ​​Guinness Tour (obviously), Temple Bar, and around Trinity College. However, my magnum opus is this trip was seeing Van Morrison and Neil Young live at Malahide Castle. I truly peaked here and think that I can die happily now the blogs can stop! But seeing one of my 60s music heroes (Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) live was such a surreal experience. Crying to Harvest Moon in the rain was a dream. I probably was the youngest person there, but now I can check seeing a concert at a CASTLE off my life bucket list.

On that Friday morning after the concert, I flew over to London for the weekend. With my wallet empty, my heart was truly full. This was the weekend of reunions, one with my childhood friend I hadn’t seen in six years, and another one with my friend from Poland I hadn’t seen in two years. Even with years of distance in a new city, it felt like nothing had changed. This weekend, especially, showed me that connection and community can still happen from afar. I explored Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, a few art galleries, and the Globe. One of my favorite experiences this weekend was seeing Evita with Rachel Zegler at the London Palladium. I will forever talk about how breathtaking this show was, and I’m still waiting for the Broadway transfer announcement.