Through personal reflections, lived experiences, and honest insights, ACD student and Resident Blogger, Gabriel Dos Santos, shares stories that help future students imagine not just attending college abroad- but truly belonging here.
The other day, during my lunch break at ACD, I rushed over to Dunnes Stores in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Time was tight, so I rushed through the entrance and hopped onto the escalator. As I was heading down, I noticed an Irish woman casually standing on the left side of the stairs, blocking the faster lane. With my best polite smile, I leaned slightly forward and said, “Sorry,” the way we always do when we’re trying to squeeze by. Instead of moving aside, she turned her head and, in a tone dripping with good-humored wisdom, replied, “This isn’t the UK, love. What’s the rush?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I quickly explained that I was on my lunch break, just enough words to carry us both down to the ground floor. By the time we reached the bottom, her words had sunk in. She was right- this isn’t the UK, and in Dublin, life doesn’t seem to reward the hurried. After all, it was just an escalator, and the grocery store wasn’t going to vanish into thin air if I didn’t speed-walk my way down.
That brief encounter summed up the essence of Dublin: unhurried and good-humored. It also reminded me of what life was like in the other places I once called home. Having lived in one of Brazil’s largest cities and in New York City, America’s biggest, I knew Dublin would offer a completely different pace of life. A peaceful, slower, and quieter one. Of course, at first, I struggled with the stillness, constantly feeling like I needed to do more, see more, and accomplish more. But Dublin didn’t rush me. It encouraged me to take my time and see the little things that truly matter.
Back home, both in Brazil and in the U.S., my life was always rushing, full of deadlines and demands. But Dublin slowed me down. There’s a sense of calm in the air, a pace that lets you breathe and enjoy the small moments without feeling rushed all the time. Life here carries the same gentle charm as the phrase, “It’s grand, my love,” a tender refrain that seems to flow effortlessly from every Irish person you meet. There’s no unnecessary rush, no unfair pressure to keep up with the constant chase for bigger and better. Irish culture is extremely laid-back, with a rhythm that encourages you to take things as they come, savoring the small joys of everyday life.
At The Music Cafe, a coffee shop in Temple Bar with huge glass windows overlooking the River Liffey and Grattan Bridge, I find myself watching tourists under their umbrellas struggling with the heavy wind, and I can’t help but smile. I also see locals walking their dogs, even under the rain, taking their time, chatting with the lovely old ladies who sell flowers on the street. I notice the soft clink of bicycle bells as cyclists pass by, their legs the strongest I’ve ever seen. It’s these simple moments that make Dublin feel like a place where you can truly be present.
The people of Dublin leave a lasting impression on me. And by “people of Dublin,” I mean everyone who lives here- Irish or not. Everyone adds something meaningful to the life of this city. There’s warmth in their humor and openness in their stories. They show me that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. A shared laugh with a stranger on the Luas, or a kind word from a lovely barista, feels more meaningful than any big gesture. They remind me of something it’s so easy to forget: life’s beauty is often in the little things.
Even the pubs, with their lively music and hearty laughter, hold lessons for me. At first, I couldn’t stand them. I’d always complain, “Everything here revolves around alcohol.” Little did I know, I was about to discover the true essence and charm of pub culture, a lifestyle that has taught me that joy doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be found in togetherness, in the simple act of sharing a moment with the people who are special and close to you.
Before moving to Dublin, it felt like other places demanded something extravagant from me. They made me feel like I had to achieve big things to prove my worth, like every moment needed to be grand or exciting to matter. On my days off, those places pushed me to seek out big shows or exaggerated plans just to feel entertained.
Dublin has done the complete opposite. It has invited me to lean into the basics to embrace the simple joys of life. This city stripped away the noise and showed me that the small, ordinary moments can be the most meaningful. For the first time, I feel like I can just be. And that’s enough. Dublin makes me feel like I am enough.
This all makes me think of my career choices. In other places I’ve lived before, like the U.S. and Brazil, your career is often tied to your whole identity. A job becomes a status symbol, something to brag about. People love to throw around fancy titles that sound impressive but often leave you wondering what they actually mean. There’s this unspoken competition to have the “best” job, and success is measured by how prestigious or high-paying your career looks to others.
Here, careers seem simpler and more grounded. People aren’t trying to outdo each other with their job titles, and there’s no need to boast about where you work. Okay, sometimes a few Southsiders might do it… But don’t worry, Dublin has a way of bringing everyone back down to earth. If you do brag a bit too much, trust me, they will talk about you once you leave: “He has some notions, doesn’t he?”
I love telling people that I’m getting a BFA in Creative Writing at American College Dublin, but when I say that, Irish people are usually more curious about what story I’m writing, what book changed my life, and why on earth I chose Dublin. The last thing they expect is some kind of bragging like, “Oh, I study at this prestigious college,” or, “Look at how fancy and intellectual I sound.” If you don’t know what humility means, don’t worry. Dublin will teach you.
And that’s a refreshing perspective, one that eases the burden on anyone weighed down by unfair societal expectations. A job is just something you do, not the center of your life. In Dublin, I see so many people placing their energy on taking care of their health, traveling, learning new skills, and living simple, fulfilling lives that feel right for them. Here, people work to live, not live to work.
As I reflect on my time in Wilde’s beloved Dublin, I realize just how much it has changed me. The city has shown me that life isn’t about chasing big accomplishments or seeking constant excitement. Yet, in its own quiet way, it has allowed me to accomplish more than I ever imagined.
As I come to the end, I think once again of that sweet encounter with the lovely lady at St Stephen’s Green and the lesson she taught me: in Dublin, the most extravagant thing you can ever achieve is simplicity. And to me, that feels like the most extraordinary lesson of all.
