An Offbeat Adventure at Google Headquarter: The Highlight of My Irish Life So Far
Linh Dong at the Google Office Although this week鈥檚 theme is supposed to be offbeat adventures, I couldn鈥檛 resist writing about something that has been far more meaningful to me than any spontaneous encounter. Last week, I fulfilled a dream I鈥檇 had long before I set foot in Ireland: I finally visited the Google Headquarters in Dublin.
As a postgraduate student specialising in Digital Leadership in Education, choosing Ireland felt perfectly natural. Ireland is often described as the 鈥淪ilicon Valley of Europe,鈥 home to some of the world鈥檚 biggest tech conglomerates. Back when I was preparing my application to study at Mary I, I often imagined myself visiting the offices of these global tech giants, hoping that one day Ireland鈥檚 digital ecosystem would become part of my own learning journey. This November, that dream quietly came true. Thanks to a newly made friend, an AI engineer at Google, I had the incredible chance to step inside Google鈥檚 European headquarters. Walking through its vibrant spaces, buzzing with creativity and innovation, felt surreal. It was a reminder of why I chose Ireland, and how this little island continues to surprise me in the most wonderful ways.
Our group of friends at the Google Offices Stepping inside Google felt like entering a miniature city of its own, a world where everything you could possibly imagine was gathered under one roof. There were saunas, gyms, swimming pools, relaxation rooms, and an endless variety of restaurants and coffee corners. I had heard about the unwritten 鈥150-feet rule鈥, that no Googler is ever more than a short walk away from food, but seeing it in real life was something else entirely. Everywhere I turned, there was a cosy caf茅, a snack station, or a bright, colourful dining space. It was a place designed not just for work, but for creativity, comfort, and human connection. Being there, I finally understood why Google is considered one of the most desirable workplaces in the world. It wasn鈥檛 just the facilities; it was the atmosphere of talent, innovation, and possibility. My friend and other AI engineer at Google are currently working on Gemini and developing breakthrough features that may soon reshape how we use technology. Listening to him talk about his work made me feel both inspired and hopeful. As someone studying Digital Leadership in Education, I couldn鈥檛 help imagining how these advancements could one day be brought into classrooms in Vietnam. I dream of giving my students access to cutting-edge digital tools and platforms, helping them learn, create, and explore in ways we never thought possible.
Google Office from the outside We ended the visit with some snacks and a matcha latte at one of the highest buildings in Dublin, looking out over the city from above. The view was breathtaking, the River Liffey winding through the city, tiny rooftops stretching into the distance, and the soft winter light falling over Dublin. As we sat there, we talked about the future of technology, the rapid changes driven by AI, and how education will need to evolve. I shared how I鈥檓 doing my best in my master鈥檚 programme, hoping to become the kind of educator who can bring meaningful digital transformation to classrooms in Vietnam. It was one of those quiet, unforgettable moments when everything feels connected: your dreams, your studies, and the place you鈥檙e standing in!
By Linh Dong, Vietnam
