New city, new people .

So excited

So beautiful and nice

There were so many cute bakeries and fruit shops on the street. The weather is a bit cold but its still so beautiful.

It was great to be there

Received all information for our work placements

After this we had Walking City tour and saw a lot of interesting places

She introduced me to my tutor Victoria who is so kind. She said she will speak to me in spanish to improve my language skills which have already improved so much since coming here. She talked me through what they do at the company and introduced me to our other colleague. I was told my working hours which are flexible and super nice.

I absolutely loved my first day and cant wait to see what I learn from this wonderful company!

Very nice and friendly team.

It was interesting first day.

And first project was almost done.

So tough but very fun

It is so beautiful but it was very windy today! I stopped and had a wonderful lunch at M14 before going home for a siesta!

Nice beautiful day.Started at workplace.

My task was to develop new advertising products for company.

After finishing my work I had nice walk in Botanical gardens and evening walks in park.

Valencia is so Beautiful,so different .I am in love with this city.

I did get caught in a dust storm cycling home from work as the wind is very strong right now. Its on and off rain and wind storm but its so bright and sunny out so i dont mind!

We ended the day with a Mexican dinner with the other group that came to Valencia and we had a good time :).

But today they put me in charge of making crumble cookies; the dough is quite simple, but it's a long process. Speaking of the store itself, I'm surprised at how crowded it gets; the queue stretches all the way outside. Impressive.But their bread and pastries are delicious; I've tried some things and wow, so good!

I tried to swim in Sea.

It was amazing experience.

Work day was nice.I just started new task.

Develop new design for their business card.

Really interesting how acting on camera is choreographed so that the timing of everything happens at the same time in each take so that it makes sense in editing.

Absolutely loving Valencia. So many wonderful creatives.

We spend the first half of the day chatting about her and what she would like to express in the design. I made a powerpoint for us to go through which included fonts, colour pallets and imagery she wants to include in her rebrand.

After work, it was so beautiful and sunny out so I decided to walk home. I didnt come across anything special but I enjoyed the walk!

Tonight I think I’ll relax and do some punch needle that Victoria taught me yesterday and get organised for the busy weekend ahead!

We went to dinner with Jessica and Tatiana at a lovely restaurant. The food was delicious, a little pricey because of the drinks, but it was worth it. Orla joined us later and we had a good time chatting about the week and a little about our lives. A lovely evening 💖 🌃

Hired a bike - amazing cycle lanes - so safe and all connecting!. Went on the boat trip - dancing and music. Lovely view of the coastline. Off now to an Irish pub to meet up with everyone in our groupl.

It was amazing time with a lot of sun and smiles.

It’s amazing that we have here in Valencia so great support from BIFE.

It was beautiful and fun.

Esmovia organized for us so interesting list with different trips snd activities.

Then i walked over to the Oceanographic Aquarium. The tickets online were sold out so I purchased them at the ticket office for €31.

I had a great time! I saw beluga whales for the first time and walked through the overhead tunnel where the sharks and fish can swim above you! I spent 2 hours there and headed back to the apartment.

The boat trip was at 5:30pm and I got there with the people from my apartment, but I backed out last minute as I was told it was 1hr 30 minutes which was too much for me as I get sea sick. The people from my group said they had a great time and couldnt feel the boat moving.

Instead I watched them from the beach and had some Tapas.

Afterwards our group went out for some drinks and explored a few Spanish bars as well as the local Irish bar.

I had such a good day!

There is a match on tonight in the stadium for Valencia vs Real Madrid so were heading back to the apartments now to avoid the crowds.

After was great day on work place.Still make new designs for advertising for company.

Using da Vinci resolve

Super interesting process

Loving it

After work I ventured to the beach on my own as it was a lovely sunny day, it was so windy though that the sand was blowing everywhere. I went for a quick swim and it was so lovely and warm, nothing like the sea at home :)

On friday night I went out for dinner with Ana, Orla and Tasiana the food was lovely and the conversation was great too.

In the evening we went on our boat trip which somehow turned into a party boat with music and a bar. It was lots of fun and the view of the city from the harbour was amazing. After that we popped back to the apartment for a quick dinner then we all headed to an irish bar which didn’t have many irish people in it from what I could tell :)

It had an interactive screen depicting a village living peacefully. However, each time it was touched, the village's lifespan accelerated. So they were saying that if it's touched many times at the same time, there could be a time collision and we could see the destruction of the village and its end. So we had to be careful when we touched it because it's been on display for two years (or something like that) and has been touched a lot, so at some point near or far, the destruction of the village could be seen.

I've been talking to my sister about our jobs.My brothers and I started playing Parcheesi online. It was really funny because then we started playing guessing games, and my brother was so distracted he couldn't guess right! 😂My parents are doing well and I already miss them haha.

I went Chinese grocery shopping, haha. I got some clear sauce to make fried rice and I went shopping at the Chinese store, haha. I got some soy sauce to make fried rice and a couple of ready meals for dinner. I bought some chopsticks that I needed, and everything was really cheap :D. To finish my Chinese shopping I bought a fruit tea and a meat bun, it was delicious.

It was very hot today, so in the afternoon we walked to Esmovia because the weather was nice and we had time. We had the meeting and then Orla, Jessica, and I went to a silk museum in Valencia. The whole process is very interesting, and how silk fashion was created in the olden days. At the end of the visit they have a demonstration of how silk is obtained I didn't know we had finished right at that time! A lady showed us the silkworms, the cocoon they use to extract the silk, and the process of how the thread is made.

I went back home alone and washed my uniform because it was dirty haha (we don't understand how it gets so dirty) and I talked a little with my housemates

I am really enjoying my time so far! I think it has been a wonderful experience.

Gena and Ray from Bife also joined us for the meeting and it was nice to see familiar faces

I left at 12pm but didnt finish working from home until about 3:30! I absolutely love designing for them I am learning so much. Especially interacting with a client and catering to their needs and visions.

I also did a bit of shopping today as its my sisters birthday on valentines. I bought some gifts for her and headed to the post office.

The man at the desk didnt speak any English but was so kind and patient with me while we communicated through google translate. Shipping a small box was expensive but worth it for my sisters birthday.

The post office and the buildings surrounding it were beautiful! I sat down on some steps and called my sister while admiring the buildings!

In the afternoon I rested a bit and in the evening we went to dinner with Ray and Gina, it was delicious. Then we went back home because we had to sleep, haha. Even so, the walk back was very nice and enjoyable, the weather was perfect and we weren't cold at all :).

I've been having a bit of trouble with my right hand because I've injured it several times. But it's nothing out of the ordinary, I've been taking ibuprofen to help and after a few hours it doesn't hurt anymore :).

We received a phone alert about the strong gusts of wind that could occur tomorrow.But we'll see how it goes. We went out for ramen and it was good, I think I'll have to find another place to eat good takoyaki haha.

I wanted to go to the archaeological park nearby but it was closed due to strong winds :(, maybe I'll go after work one of these days.Then I went back home and continued working on my sweater. I'm almost finished!

We went for a walk at night with Yuliia, Tania, Orla and Jessica and had a good time.

There was a bit of confusion as to where we should meet as we were given different meeting points from everyone, but everything worked out fine in the end.

We met our tour guide in a town near by and he showed us the nature reserve. He told us about all the cool animals that reside there and the history of the beach.

We then walked back to the lake where we went on the boat trip. I was scared at first as I get sea sick but I actually found it manageable. It was lovely to see all the birds and rice fields.

We then went to a restaurant nearby and had a lovely meal given to us by Esmovia.

We had bread with garlic aioli and tomatoes , homemade chips with a gorgeous garlicy sauce. Then the paella came out! It was chicken paella which was delicious! We then had lovely coffee and fudge ice cream for dessert.

I had a wonderful day and really enjoyed myself

And after they will be printed and sticked on them. Enjoy creating new ideas.

It was amazing experience.Spain is so beautiful.

But was last moment decision to come back there to view sunset.

This was one of the most beautiful moments.

I got lots of behind the scenes footage during filming the short film ‘inocente’

Such a great learning experience. Really useful for working in the modern day. Whether it’s self promotion or if I’m working for a dance company, i think it will be valuable.

We went to eat paella, it wasn't the flavor I expected, I didn't love it completely but it was okay. Then Orla, Jessica, Ksenia, Yuliia, and Tania and I went for a walk in Albufera Park, where the sun finally came out. The weather was beautiful all afternoon. We walked along the seashore for a while and then we went back home where I continued to wear my sweater and rest a little longer.

Today I learned from the radio that the interactive artwork (which I mentioned earlier) has gone to war 😰. Apparently, many people touched it very often, and so they have unleashed the beginning of the destruction. The art now shows the samurai attacking and burning the entire village; it is unknown how long this interaction will last. After the war ends, the village will be left in ruins with no humanity around, but nature will recover what it has lost. It shows that at some point, humans will also reach that type of situation, so it teaches us a lesson.

After work I came home and went out for paella because I was disappointed with yesterday's paella; this one was much better and more delicious. I was really full after that haha. I came home and finished my sweater :D.

Since it was such a beautiful day, we went to the beach with Orla and Jessica. The day was very cheerful :).

Then we headed over to the esmovia meeting for the final goodbye. I had all my documents filled in and Ana had brought some lovely pastries from her bakery for us to try!

Then we scrambled to get ready for the lovely Flamenco night! It was absolutely amazing! It felt so intimate and truly breathtaking!

After that we walked 15 minutes to a lovely restaurant and had dinner and drinks with Janice and the other two groups from Bife. It was such a wonderful night!

Then today I explored the markets with the girls and had some lunch and scrambled to buy what souvenirs i could find.

It was much warmer today!

Overall I had a wonderful time here in Valencia. I have my bags packed now (19.5kg! Thank god!) and im ready for the airport!

Then I walked back along the river because it was a nice day, and I stayed there sunbathing. I talked to my parents for a while and then went home.

PS: I finished my crochet sweater :D.

In the afternoon we had our last meeting in Esmovia, and I brought them some croissants I make in the morning. Then we went to the flamenco show, which was incredible. We enjoyed the show 💃🏽.

For dinner we met up with Janice and spent some time with her :).

Before changing, I took a picture with the owner and his wife. They told me I had done a good job and that I adapted very quickly and well. They even invited me to come back and work with them when I visit Valencia again c:

I got home and packed my suitcase. For dinner, I went out with Jessica and Orla. We had a great time :').

A hugely important building in Valencia that was built in the late 1400s!!!

It was kind of the original stock exchange. A market for products like silk, but it was quality checked and price controlled. Concepts that we still use to this day.

Super interesting and not to mention beautiful

But within my first week I was using the metro everyday.

It’s so satisfying to feel confident traversing a new city. And even though everything was in Spanish I got the hang of directions. Platform. Times. And which trains will take me where!

this is Alameda station. My favourite visually

Sooooo amazing and delicious.

The hustle and bustle was very exciting. Great spot for anyone who loves cured meats 😋

Absolutely thrilled to see my first ever Goya in person!!!

Such a nice surprise.

They also had a huge portrait of Saint Sebastian who has a special place in my heart.

Honestly so much to look at in the cathedral you could nearly go 4 or 5 times to soak it all in.

A little posey photo from the boat tour out to the rice fields of albufera. The birthplace of paella!

Our tour guide was an absolute legend. So knowledgeable and friendly and fun.

Honestly might do it again when I return!

Right next to our apartment. Super exciting, absolute floods of people. And I’d be able to tell you the final score before you’d know back home 😌

Super beautiful printing studio. I’ve never been so envious of a work space in my life. I met all the artists currently on residency there and made friends with them and the owner of the studio. Hopefully I can return for my own residency some day. Never felt so welcome and at home.

I am very grateful for the opportunity given, I took full advantage of it, learned a lot, and enjoyed everything I could. I feel so fortunate to have worked at the Horno Panadería Masanet (bakery), to have had such wonderful roommates, and to have been in this country. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

And so I offered. Few days later on my siesta from Totart I dash to the other end of town and here I am in the studio sewing up a flag for the incredible Mar!

Artists are always a community whether in Ireland or in Valencia it would seem. So it’s super nice to feel any way involved or helpful. I’m Pictured here with past artists in residence, Dylan and Aoife from Mayo!!!

They weren’t the first and not the last Irish folk I found in Valencia either haha.

My world has expanded but it’s still a small one it appears hahaha

Working with absolutely no budget yet the acting is superb and the finished scene came out looking shockingly professional. Super inspiring. Excited for the completed short film.

Nice, but I kinda forgot how spoilt we are in Ireland with our beautiful gardens and horticulture.

I visited here multiple times.

I looked at many shops selling Fallas wear which is like the Valencians St. Patrick’s day. I researched more into it and as someone who nerds out about fashion and costume history I was in heaven. The shops in the city centre were selling their ligas (fallas decorative sock garters) for €30. I took one look and said… I can make that.

So I visited the market, allí of these ribbons and trimmings are designed for sexing your own fallas wear essentially.

So I picked out several colours and patterns to make my own ligas for myself and friends.

Excited to get home to my sewing machine 🫦

These are ligas.

2-3 layers of ribbon sandwiching an elastic chord with decorative flair of your choosing at the front

Absolutely mouth wateringly decadent. The dandy in me was already picking out rolls of fabric. At about €60 a metre in the city centre shops… I left it where it was

I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to share everything i’ve learned with my classmates in Bife. I will always remember this experience and be eternally thankful that I decided to go.

both again.