Claire’s Semester Overseas in Dublin, Eire

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Wanting to comply with within the footsteps of a school scholar who interned overseas in Eire? We just lately caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Claire from Washington State College, who spent her fall semester doing an internship in Dublin. 

Uncover how Claire’s expertise as a world intern in Eire helped her develop her community and resolve on a future profession path! 

Selecting a Program Vacation spot & Time period 

With so many superb choices to select from with AIFS Overseas, it may be exhausting to resolve the place and when to review or intern overseas. For Claire, the wealthy Irish tradition and comfortable autumnal climate helped her make a assured determination: 

“I selected Dublin, Eire, due to its tradition, climate, and geographical location… I received to take pleasure in among the heat climate in Dublin, however I additionally received to spend a lot of time in knitted sweaters and listening to the rain outdoors my window.” 

Internship Expertise 

AIFS Overseas full-time intern overseas packages place you with a vetted firm or group in your host metropolis. We assure an internship in one among your accredited profession fields after you’re accepted to a program, so you possibly can achieve related skilled expertise that aligns along with your objectives. Under, Claire describes her schedule and position as a psychology and social work intern in Dublin: 

“I labored 9 – 5, Monday – Friday, with a one-hour break for lunch… [My host organization was] a non-profit that focuses on serving to adults with mental disabilities change into extra unbiased and concerned of their communities. As an intern, I [provided] steering for employment, faculty training, and social ability enchancment for service customers with disabilities. 

One notable undertaking I did throughout my internship was making a kitchen security workshop and presentation, after I had heard lots of the service customers at [my host organization] specific their curiosity in cooking and unbiased residing.” 

Your internship expertise overseas can assist you develop a robust skilled community that reaches throughout the globe. Hear Claire describe her expertise together with her internship supervisor in Dublin and staying involved with these she met throughout her program: 

“My [supervisor] was very pleasant and sort. He was simple to speak to when difficulties arose within the internship… I’ve maintained {many professional} contacts I made whereas overseas by way of LinkedIn and WhatsApp.” 

Influence of Interning Overseas 

Interning overseas is a wonderful option to construct a resume that stands out to employers—it demonstrates your adaptability and reveals that you’ve got expertise with cross-cultural communication. As Claire explains, her internship will assist set her aside when she applies to future positions; plus, returning to work at her host group stays a risk: 

“The corporate made it clear that a lot of them engaged on wage had as soon as been interns, and that it is rather potential to proceed working for [them] after an internship. This has helped me when planning my profession objectives as a result of I understand how tough it may be to discover a job post-graduation, and I do know that this internship below my belt will set me aside from individuals I could also be interviewing in opposition to in future positions in and outdoors of [my host organization].” 

Gaining this expertise in Dublin additionally helped steer Claire in direction of a extra becoming profession path: 

“My overseas expertise confirmed me that I used to be within the fallacious profession discipline, and I’m now planning to make my approach again to Dublin and into social work. Had I not carried out my internship in Eire, I don’t suppose that I’d have realized that counseling is just not for me, till after I already graduated.” 

Housing 

All AIFS Overseas packages embrace housing. Hear Claire describe her expertise in a scholar residence in Dublin and the way it helped her forge some unbelievable friendships: 

“I lived in an condominium with 7 different roommates, and this was by far my favourite a part of my expertise. I do know I’ve made some lifelong buddies in my roommates and am very grateful to have gotten positioned with such an incredible group of individuals.” 

Making Associates Overseas 

Eire is understood for its pleasant and welcoming tradition, making it simple for a lot of examine and intern overseas members to attach with locals. Along with bonding with the Irish, you possibly can make buddies with different program members because of AIFS Overseas’s included group actions, journeys, and excursions—all of which aid you join with different individuals in your program and type significant connections early on. Hear Claire describe her expertise making buddies in Dublin: 

“It was very simple to be social in Dublin! The Irish have been very pleasant, and I usually discovered myself chatting with locals on the bus, within the grocery retailer, or on the pub. I feel it’s essential to not be afraid to start out a dialog with a stranger since you by no means know what perception they could supply!” 

Journeys & Excursions 

Along with serving to you forge new friendships, AIFS Overseas journeys and excursions assist you to dive into the native tradition and historical past of your host nation. Hear Claire describe a few of her favourite journeys with AIFS Overseas: 

“I attended the Belfast journey and the Causey Farm journey. The Causey Farm journey ended being one among my favourite days in Eire, as a result of we received to expertise a lot Irish meals, music, dance and panorama.” 

You’re additionally welcome to set out and journey on the weekends by your self or with the brand new buddies you’ve made overseas, like Claire did: 

“I took many weekend journeys! My favourite was in all probability a weekend journey all of my roommates and I took to Paris. It was a lot enjoyable to get to see French artwork and music with individuals who appreciated it as a lot as I do.” 

Why AIFS Overseas? 

From included housing to immersive program choices the world over, faculty college students and younger professionals select AIFS Overseas for a variety of causes. As Claire explains, understanding she’d have on-site help in Dublin helped her select AIFS Overseas with confidence: 

“I selected AIFS as a result of they supplied sufficient steering that made me comfy to intern overseas, but in addition let me really feel unbiased… My on-site [Program Director], Greta, stood out to me, as a result of she was form and welcoming.” 

Are you a school scholar or current graduate who’s able to take the leap and intern overseas with AIFS Overseas like Claire did in Dublin? We’d love that will help you begin your journey! 

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two  about serving to faculty college students and up to date graduates intern overseas. Our packages include many priceless inclusions which are designed to counterpoint your expertise overseas and ease the transition in your host metropolis. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like built-in profession readiness, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and cultural and social actions and excursions, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your whole expertise overseas.