Fortress of good times and learning

Still not a single Finnish speaking guests during my shifts. Got to use a bit of Swedish and Russian though, close enough. I think I have to learn more languages, the multilingual atmosphere that we have here is a joy to listen. I wish I could participate and help people in their own language. I'm taking my first steps in this industry, so I'll have time to learn until I'm a reception wizard.

Got more experience with contacting third parties and handling big groups. I still feel a bit of pressure when groups come in, but I'm getting better. I just don't want to have people waiting extra time because of me.
Maintenance guys and their repairs inadvertently taught me to use fire alarm system quite efficiently.
I'm finally settling in to daily routines and don't have to ask a million questions from colleagues.
Everyday tasks are ingrained in my brain, though I still forget some minor things.

For all you foodies out there, Dublin has an incredible food scene. The pure amount of good places to eat ranging in all prices is astonishing. By walking a few blocks you can visit all the continents and their variants in cuisine. I've heard that the food scene is still rising and evolving, so it's gonna be even more impressive in future. Come and join my food path of hedonism.

Overcooked pork cheek is worth a try

Italian food is a safe bet in general wherever you travel in the world. In Dublin the quality and  authenticity varies a lot, so do some research before hand. If you hear the staff speaking Italian it will be the spot to eat. One of my new favorites is the overcooked cheek of a pig. Smells a bit gamey, but the taste is divine.

There is a good selection of Korean restaurants around the city. Be mindful about the portion sizes, you can get quite full on a relatively cheap price. As a fan of gluttony, I really enjoy ordering portions that have a little bit of everything and enough food to last me a few days. With mixed portions it's easier to find the dishes you really enjoy, so you'll know what to get the next time. I probably have to visit South Korea in the future, it's that good.

Variety of tastes and big portions draw me to Korean places.

Integration step by step

It never crossed my mind that Finland would be somehow exotic to people all over the world. Got a lot of questions about Finland during my work week from co-workers and guests. I tried to paint a colorful picture about my Nordic paradise and felt like a salesman for the nation.

Kylemore Abbey

The interior of Kylemore Abbey

One of my favorite parts about working in hostel is trading travel knowledge and tips with seasoned travelers. My bucket list is expanding by alarming rate.



Made a small mistake with reference numbers and caused unnatural aging to my co-workers, but I learned the importance of making notes to the system. I'm gonna remember it better from now-on.
You live, you learn. It's important to learn from your mistakes, but not to dwell in them in this line of work. There is so much to learn and remember that you just have to plow through.

I phoned Expedia to figure some things about reservations, I have to admit that it was a bit frightening at the start. Luckily my previous experience from hotels helped me quite a bit.

I was tasked to buy a new pool cue and 3.5mm audio splitter to the hostel. It brights up a work day, when you have some unusual tasks to do. I also learned a bit more about the city and can find my bearings easier.

Calming view in Connemara.

I booked a day trip from Galway Tour Company for Saturday. Tour included stops at Connemara, Cong Village and Kylemore Abbey and it's gardens. Trip was well organised and I got glimpse of what skills you need to posses to be an astounding tour guide. I have to visit Connemara again and spend more time in the village. I can't explain the magical feeling I got while being there. The beauty of the park is amazing and as a Finnish person, I'm of course mesmerized by water features. It felt like time stopped in the village and it's going to stay like this forever.
Dear Ireland, I will leave a piece of my heart to your incredible island.

Time flies

I have never enjoyed my workdays as much as I have here at the Four Courts Hostel. 
Every day feels like it's cut short. My future profession is bang on the right choice for me. I'm also learning a lot about leadership here. The way our managers handle situations and people is something to marvel at. Coworkers also excel with guiding and supporting me. If I ever climb the corporate ladder to leadership positions, this would be the atmosphere to strive for. I'm going to ask a million questions and try to learn how this was achieved. And yes, I will blatantly copy all the good things to my tool belt.

Best way to explore Dublin is to start from Temple Bar area and get lost wherever.
You will always find something interesting.

I leveled up my reception character once more. Got the laundry service down. Car park, fobs and payments are etched to my mind. Worked together with the housekeeping staff and checked that people are in correct beds and how to change in the system, if something is off.

I drew my Russian skills and made a phone call to Russia. Got the information to future guest about some minor changes in the reservation. Never been so nervous about a simple phone call. I got the info to guest, but you should've seen how much I was flailing my arms trying talk with hands via phone. Not the most graceful interaction, but I think the next time will be easier.

Groups don't make me lose my hair anymore from the stress. Getting more comfortable and efficient in my actions. I also noticed that I'm starting to loosen up with the customers and get a more pleasant customer experience. This is absolutely the correct place improve social and verbal skills with talkative and multicultural guests.

Made a lot of enquiries about prices with providers to our premises. I gained more insight on how to handle business side of things. Got good support and guidance to this task from the Manager.

I learned how to manage long term guests reservations and how to allocate rooms, so they don't have to change beds. With groups blocking a lot of spots, it can get quite demanding.

Giving guidance to guests for sightseeing and places to eat is getting easier. Still a lot to work on for myself. I'm going to wander a bit around the city after work to know my bearings better.

Big brother

Starting to notice some changes in my habits. Being away from my usual distractions and having to 2-3 hours a day on commute has made more punctual and healthier. Getting enough sleep and arriving early every day to work. My overall energy levels and mood is through the roof. Maybe I'm growing up...finally.

Statue of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in Cong village
What is the film?

Learned to use the surveillance system at the hostel. Compared to Finland the restrictions on viewing and checking things from surveillance cams are looser. If needed the quick availability and easy to use software could be very useful. I wonder what Orwell would think about the way things are going in the world. 

Sold my first trips to guests. The excitement, nerves and joyful bliss. I hope the feeling of joy doesn't fade away for small steps towards becoming a professional. 

Got to check in my first group. Clearly I wasn't efficient enough to handle groups, but luckily my coworker was there to show me how the top dogs handle situations. 

I'm getting quite comfy with our software and tasks. I'm starting to get actually useful around here, happy days.

Handling reservations, emails, check ins and outs, phones and everyday tasks is starting to actually be ingrained. Still a bit slow on the pre-authorizations though.
Fire alarm system is not as complicated as I feared. I better learn it quick and well.

Getting used to my new adopted land

The end of the first week

I'm starting to learn the ropes  in the reception. With the new acquired confidence I'm starting to actually enjoy working in Dublin. The mix of all wonderful accents and cultures gives a constant boost of energy. This is the place to be for an extrovert like me. Atmosphere compared to hotels is vastly different. People stay and chat at the reception and I feel more relaxed compared to a hotel environment. Got caught of guard and got to apply my rusty skills in Swedish. I plowed through, but had to loan some words from English, but at least I tried.

Enjoying life to the fullest at west coast

I learned a lot with guests, while trying to figure out work permits and necessary documents for people outside the EU. Felt like being on the banks of a deep end, but we finally figured everything out. I gained heaps of useful information for myself and the guests. Stroke of luck that it happened on the early part of my expat experience.

Posted some things via mail and for my relief It wasn't complicated at all. No culture shock in sight...yet.

Got my first additional sales! Oh the joy and elation for such a minute achievement. Taking baby steps while having a child like wonder for everything feels a bit odd, but at least I know I'm apparently on a joyful path to soak in this wonderful experience.

I finally amassed the courage to operate the phones. It became obvious that I need to improve my understanding on some of the thicker Irish accents. For the more timid colleagues in the same situation, fear not. Irish folk are understanding and friendly. On the third time asking for the name, we burst in a roaring belly laugh and found ourselves on the same page, after we recovered from a fleeting hysteria.

Still need some improvement on surroundings to actually be helpful with directions and sights. I'll get there, don't you all cool cats and kittens worry.

My supervisors and all the staff around me have been incredibly helpful and supportive. Either Ireland has the best work environments in the world or I'm just lucky. Maybe both.
The amount of jokes and stories I hear is almost overwhelming, wouldn't have it any other way.
There's something special in this place.

A fish out of water

Adapting to a new work environment and culture has been surprisingly painless.
More relaxed, social and humor based atmosphere at my new adopted land suits my personality quite well. From the beginning I was pushed towards being myself and to bring my own personal touch to customer service.

Learning the building and systems that we use might take a bit of time. The amount of new information can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. I have been guided by supportive and understanding colleagues, which makes the adaptation process much easier.

Customers are very talkative as well the staff personnel. I feel like I'm in the right place to improve my English skills. Sometimes I struggle with understanding the tone of people from different places. For example difference between people from U.K and Ireland is significant.

For a first few days I was doing the more simple tasks with updating credit card details on reservations, changing the security passes and answering the more basic questions in emails.

On the second day I got an interesting task.
I was tasked to query different suppliers over the phone about their pricing. Most of the calls went fine, but with one I had a difficult time understanding the accent. That company's office was in the more rural area up north :) My goal is to understand the Northern and Southern accents before my departure back to Finland.
I was really pleased with the responsibilities I was given.

About me and why I am in Dublin

I'm Tomas a 30 year old student from Rajamäki, Finland.
I study at Hyria Education in Hyvinkää, unit of Torikatu.
As part of Erasmus+ programme, I'm doing a work placement in Dublin, Ireland.
My title of qualification is Vocational Qualification in Tourism Industry.
My competence area is Accomodation services and my qualification title will be a Receptionist.

Photo from 3 day trip with Shamrocker Adventures

I am doing my work placement in The Four Courts Hostel, Dublin, Ireland.
The hostel is located in Merchant's Quay, a walking distance away from the famous Temple Bar area.
My main area of work will be in the reception.
My work placement will last 9 weeks in total.


As a person I am adventurous, very talkative and always interested in meeting other people. My strengths are in customer service and making people feel like they arrived in their second home.