The cars drive on the left side of the road. The dollar bills in my wallet are useless. Green,
white, and orange stripes sway above the sidewalks. I don’t feel out of place. But this isn’t my
home.
– – –
Only two years into college, I had pushed myself to apply for an internship. I wanted to study
abroad in my undergraduate years and found a program that would place me as an intern in
another country. I was extremely excited, but nervous to be in a new place with such significant
responsibilities.
– – –
I had completed my research weeks before leaving my home country. I spent my late nights
Googling “Therapy in Dublin” and exploring the Marino Counselling and Psychotherapy website,
familiarizing myself with the faces of all the therapists I would soon meet. I was fascinated with
all the different options for therapy I had never heard of; Reality Therapy/ Choice Theory,
Person-Centered psychotherapy, and Adlerian therapy, just to name a few.
– – –
On the first day of my internship, I arrived at the clinic an hour early. I waited on the porch of the
coffee shop next door, sitting on the bench across from the man who was reading the
newspaper. He checked his pocket watch and told me the shop would open in five minutes. So I
sat and watched all the strangers walk by. Sure enough, five minutes later the door unlocked
and we both stepped inside. Eager to fuel my first day, I said good morning to the barista who
was rushing behind the counter to take my order. Ordering a hot latte to go, I was ready for my
new beginning. I spent a while journaling about my excitement (and nervousness) being the
latest addition to the team. Halfway through my cup of coffee I packed up my belongings and
headed up the street. I was moments away from a new door opening for my future I could’ve
never imagined years ago.
– – –
Each day I step into an empty therapy room, open to any task I am given. It could be phone
calls, a research project, updates about clinical cases, or conversations about history and
theories used in therapy. Each day is a new adventure as I see the concepts learned in my
courses coinciding with the everyday practices of the clinic.
– – –
As I finish my time here at the Marino, I am carrying more than just my academic knowledge
with me back home. I've gained respect and appreciation for Irish culture and history, as well as
pride in myself as I worked diligently to contribute to Marino in my few weeks.
– – –
As a full time intern here in Dublin, Ireland, it is a privilege to work with such amazing leaders
and clinician, and I am also honored to create a pathway and bring light to those aspiring to take
the next step in their careers. Completing my internship at Marino Counselling and
Psychotherapy has been an incredible experience for me, and I will be able to reflect on all that I
have learned and skills I have acquired in communication, research, and educating other
students.
– – –
Sitting here on my last day of my internship, I am ready to head back to my home country and
finish my undergraduate degree. Only 20 years old in a foreign country, I have pushed myself to
be out of my comfort zone and work as hard as I can to learn and gain experience as an
aspiring psychologist.
– – –
For anyone who has the privilege to pursue an opportunity such as this, do it. Do it scared, do it
nervous, do it proudly. I promise it will be worth it in the end.
Kayla Henley
