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Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who interned abroad in Ireland? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Claire from Washington State University, who spent her fall semester doing an internship in Dublin.
Discover how Claire’s experience as an international intern in Ireland helped her grow her network and decide on a future career path!
Choosing a Program Destination & Term
With so many amazing options to choose from with AIFS Abroad, it can be hard to decide where and when to study or intern abroad. For Claire, the rich Irish culture and cozy autumnal weather helped her make a confident decision:
“I chose Dublin, Ireland, because of its culture, weather, and geographical location… I got to enjoy some of the warm weather in Dublin, but I also got to spend lots of time in knitted sweaters and listening to the rain outside my window.”
Internship Experience
AIFS Abroad full-time intern abroad programs place you with a vetted company or organization in your host city. We guarantee an internship in one of your approved career fields after you’re accepted to a program, so you can gain relevant professional experience that aligns with your goals. Below, Claire describes her schedule and role as a psychology and social work intern in Dublin:
“I worked 9 – 5, Monday – Friday, with a one-hour break for lunch… [My host organization was] a non-profit that focuses on helping adults with intellectual disabilities become more independent and involved in their communities. As an intern, I [provided] guidance for employment, college education, and social skill improvement for service users with disabilities.
One notable project I did during my internship was creating a kitchen safety workshop and presentation, after I had heard many of the service users at [my host organization] express their interest in cooking and independent living.”
Your internship experience abroad can help you grow a strong professional network that reaches across the globe. Hear Claire describe her experience with her internship supervisor in Dublin and staying in contact with those she met during her program:
“My [supervisor] was very friendly and kind. He was easy to talk to when difficulties arose in the internship… I have maintained many professional contacts I made while abroad via LinkedIn and WhatsApp.”
Impact of Interning Abroad
Interning abroad is an excellent way to build a resume that stands out to employers—it demonstrates your adaptability and shows that you have experience with cross-cultural communication. As Claire explains, her internship will help set her apart when she applies to future positions; plus, returning to work at her host organization remains a possibility:
“The company made it clear that many of them working on salary had once been interns, and that it is very possible to continue working for [them] after an internship. This has helped me when planning my career goals because I know how difficult it can be to find a job post-graduation, and I know that this internship under my belt will set me apart from people I may be interviewing against in future positions in and outside of [my host organization].”
Gaining this experience in Dublin also helped steer Claire towards a more fitting career path:
“My abroad experience showed me that I was in the wrong career field, and I am now making plans to make my way back to Dublin and into social work. Had I not done my internship in Ireland, I don’t think that I would have realized that counseling is not for me, until after I already graduated.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Hear Claire describe her experience in a student residence in Dublin and how it helped her forge some incredible friendships:
“I lived in an apartment with 7 other roommates, and this was by far my favorite part of my experience. I know I have made some lifelong friends in my roommates and am very grateful to have gotten placed with such an amazing group of people.”
Making Friends Abroad
Ireland is known for its friendly and welcoming culture, making it easy for many study and intern abroad participants to connect with locals. In addition to bonding with the Irish, you can make friends with other program participants thanks to AIFS Abroad’s included group activities, trips, and excursions—all of which help you connect with other people in your program and form meaningful connections early on. Hear Claire describe her experience making friends in Dublin:
“It was very easy to be social in Dublin! The Irish were very friendly, and I often found myself chatting with locals on the bus, in the grocery store, or at the pub. I think it’s important to not be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger because you never know what insight they might offer!”
Trips & Excursions
In addition to helping you forge new friendships, AIFS Abroad trips and excursions allow you to dive into the local culture and history of your host country. Hear Claire describe some of her favorite trips with AIFS Abroad:
“I attended the Belfast trip and the Causey Farm trip. The Causey Farm trip ended being one of my favorite days in Ireland, because we got to experience so much Irish food, music, dance and landscape.”
You’re also welcome to set out and travel on the weekends by yourself or with the new friends you’ve made abroad, like Claire did:
“I took many weekend trips! My favorite was probably a weekend trip all of my roommates and I took to Paris. It was so much fun to get to see French art and music with people who appreciated it as much as I do.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
From included housing to immersive program options across the world, college students and young professionals choose AIFS Abroad for a wide range of reasons. As Claire explains, knowing she’d have on-site support in Dublin helped her choose AIFS Abroad with confidence:
“I chose AIFS because they offered enough guidance that made me comfortable to intern abroad, but also let me feel independent… My on-site [Program Director], Greta, stood out to me, because she was kind and welcoming.”
Are you a college student or recent graduate who’s ready to take the leap and intern abroad with AIFS Abroad like Claire 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 recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions that are designed to enrich your experience abroad and ease the transition in your host city. From coordinating your housing to providing things like integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities and excursions, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
