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Eager to step into the footsteps of a college student who’s interning in Ireland? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad internship program participant Jacqueline from Texas Woman’s University, who has been spending her fall semester interning abroad in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin.
Read on to learn more about her internship experience with AIFS Abroad and the impact of being an international intern in Ireland.
Choosing an Internship Program Destination & Term
Deciding when and where to study or intern abroad can be a challenge for a lot of students and young professionals (our team can help with that!), but no matter where you go, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Jacqueline chose Dublin—an easy choice for her, considering her interest in Irish culture and her desire to intern abroad in an English-speaking country. Hear more about why Jacqueline felt so strongly about choosing Ireland as the destination for her internship abroad:
“I chose Ireland for the same reasons you’d expect from a person choosing to visit America. The media I’ve consumed like TV shows or movies filmed in Ireland, knowing about Irish history, artists and musicians representing their Irish culture, and so much more influenced me to choose this country for my internship. I was nervous like any other tourist, but I knew I’d be just fine as long as there wasn’t a language barrier.”
Why Intern Abroad?
There are so many reasons to intern abroad! It’s an opportunity to gain professional experience in a unique environment, test out your chosen career field, gain soft skills, expand your network, see the world, and so much more! Through AIFS Abroad, Jacqueline’s fall internship in Dublin allowed her to push herself outside her comfort zone, encouraging her to grow as a person.
Jacqueline explains one of the highlights of interning abroad was living with roommates and exploring the country and culture together:
“We were able to explore together, try new things, learn about the city, and bond over living in a different country. I appreciated all their different views on Irish culture and how we were all able to truly see how great diversity is based on living and working in Dublin.”
There are also scholarship and grant opportunities available to students who want to intern abroad—Jacqueline was awarded the AIFS Overseas Ambassador Scholarship.
Internship Experience
Before Jacqueline’s internship in Dublin at Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, she didn’t know what industry she wanted to work in. However, thanks to her internship, Jacqueline has become passionate about pursuing a career in the non-profit industry.
“Since I have been able to experience a different work environment, I now have an interest in working in the charity sector. I would have never known about this kind of work if I hadn’t started interning and spending my fall semester in Dublin.”
Balancing Internships and School
Jacqueline chose to intern in Dublin and take online courses at her university in Texas at the same time. This is a great opportunity for people who want to gain internship experience while continuing their studies at their home university. Luckily, Jacqueline has been able to juggle her schoolwork and internship flawlessly… as long as she remembers the time difference!
“Schoolwork isn’t too difficult when you have people who are in the same kind of classes as you and are kind enough to remind you that the time difference still exists for turning in an assignment for your university back in America.”
Professional Development
Interning abroad means you’ll have the opportunity to gain unique, hands-on experience which will accelerate your career growth and develop your skillsets. During Jacqueline’s internship in Dublin, she’s gained incredible insight into what it means to pursue a career in the non-profit industry.
“Ever since starting my internship at Cystic Fibrosis Ireland in Dublin, I have been able to network with other professionals in the charity sector not only by working alongside them every day, but also by attending a charity convention where we all were able to discuss what fundraising events are successful, how the community engagement is going with each Irish charity, and just having general conversation between fundraising coordinators.”
Housing
Did you know all AIFS Abroad programs include housing? Typical options include shared apartments, student residences/dorms, and living with a local family in a homestay. Jacqueline’s accommodations in Dublin were in a student residence—a perfect way to meet other people!
“I was also glad that I moved into a student accommodating apartment. Living with 7 other people can sound overwhelming at first, but they’re now some of the greatest people I know. Since everyone is from a different background, yet all from America, it was a good mix of a new environment and familiarity.”
Making Friends Abroad
College is often the first time many students are out on their own, encouraging them to forge strong friendships with other students. The idea of setting out on your own for the first time can make some students hesitant about doing an internship program abroad alone or make them hold off applying until a friend is available to go with them.
We recommend that you intern abroad when it’s convenient for you. Chances are you’ll forge new friendships once abroad, like Jacqueline did as an intern in Dublin. Remember that your peers interning abroad will be in the same position as you—so they’ll be just as eager to make friends!
Some of Jacqueline’s most rewarding experiences while abroad in Dublin were made during simple moments with friends:
“The best times shared are when you’re with friends sharing a meal, maybe just working on homework together at a cafe, celebrating a birthday, or renting a car to do the Ring of Kerry together.”
Excursions
One of the benefits of interning abroad is the ability to explore outside your intern abroad city. For example, if you intern abroad in Dublin like Jacqueline, you can easily access other cities like Cork and explore the wonderful Irish countryside.
Some excursions available in the Dublin intern abroad semester may include a day trip to the stunning Cliffs of Moher or a tour of the storied city of Belfast.
Trying Out Transportation
Although we recommend that you participate in all the AIFS-organized excursions, you might also enjoy planning some trips on your own or with friends, as any AIFS international internship destination is sure to offer plenty of sights to see and adventures to experience. One of Jacqueline’s favorite experiences in Ireland was renting a car to drive the Ring of Kerry with her friends. This is a renowned 179km route in Southwest Ireland circling through seaside villages and lush coastal landscapes.
In addition to using transportation to venture outside your internship city, you’ll need to be able to navigate the city or town using local transportation methods like train, subway, or in Jacqueline’s case, bus.
“Of course, I’ve ridden a bus before. It’s the one with the classic yellow color with black lining that you see in most American television or movies. When you arrive in Ireland, those are definitely not the ones you see. Public transportation is the main way around the city of Dublin, and you need to learn fast to get around. So, technically, I learned how to ride a bus at the ripe age of 26.”
Culture Shock
When you first arrive at your internship program destination and start to transition into your life overseas, odds are you may experience a bit of culture shock. Culture shock is different for every intern—people experience it in various degrees due to a number of factors. For example, Jacqueline experienced culture shock while adjusting to riding the bus, along with other new experiences that she shared with the friends she made abroad:
“We learned that it is important to recycle your cans and how you’re able to receive money to buy groceries for everything you recycle, and how we will most likely try to incorporate that weekly task back in the States. We learned that it is okay to ask questions about what is in a meal at a new restaurant you’re wanting to try because certain foods can be made differently from America, and that just because it looks like a ketchup packet, does not mean it is.”
Final Thoughts
As Jacqueline continues to embrace her journey, she sums up her experience abroad in Ireland:
“My time in Dublin has been nothing short of wonderful. I have met some amazing people, experienced the Irish lifestyle, and seen some of the most beautiful views in the world. I can’t wait to travel more and share my Irish stories with my friends and family, and whoever wants to hear. I might not need to know how to ride the bus back home, but I do know I will be returning to Ireland someday. So, I’ll keep my leap card in my wallet, and hope that someone asks me my bus route that took me a couple weeks to learn (Bridgefoot, College Green, and then Rathmines Rd. Lower).”
Are you a student or recent graduate ready to take the leap and join an AIFS Abroad internship program like Jacqueline did in Dublin? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and pre-professionals study and intern abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.