Stint Ireland: Internships in Dublin

I had no clue what where I wanted to go or how I wanted to go about it, I just knew I wanted to take my summer to intern abroad. I stumbled across the STINT program and immediately fell in love. Many other programs are all over the world, but since STINT is strictly in Dublin they are deeply committed to their STINTers and giving them a genuine Irish experience. The STINTer is also allowed to choose when they come to Ireland and for how long, something unique to most internship programs. For these reasons, after interviewing with Melanie I was more than pleased to commit to their program.

The team told me they had placed many interns in journalism and had multiple companies they've worked with in their past however I would be their first broadcast journalism intern. Aoife got me in contact with a radio station and it has been the best work experience of my life. Everyone at my station is incredibly kind, welcoming and willing to help and teach me every facet of what the job entails. I have been researching, writing scripts, contacting listeners and have even been on air multiple times.

Upon arrival a cab picked me up from the airport and brought me to my house where Melanie greeted me, showed me around my house and explained the basics of what I'll need to know around Dublin. If there were any issues with my house one of us would contact Melanie and almost immediately she would respond and get someone to the house to help us. Her and the entire STINT team is incredibly warm and clearly loves what they do, making this a truly one of a kind experience. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to a life changing summer and gain valuable work experience.

Participating in Stint Ireland has been an incredible experience. The program is directed by the kindest and most helpful people, who are always available to answer any questions or solve any problems. Stint organizes both local and week-end-long activities for all of its participants, which are varied in interest so there is something for everyone to do. Participants are housed in beautiful homes scattered across the city, where 10 or so fellow stinters all live, travel, go out, relax and become good friends together. Stint is able to find internships that suit the interests of all it's participants. Overall, interning in Ireland has been an incredible experience, and I would recommend Stint Ireland to all of my friends!

I'm really impressed with the trips and activities that Stint has organized since I have been here. There's a good balance of traveling to other countries and doing things locally. Since most of us are American, I was really happy that they organized a 4th of July so we could celebrate by eating some American food! But I also really like how they organize trips to authentic places in Ireland, like Killarney National Park or Stephen's Green. I would definitely recommend to someone who wants to intern abroad.

It was a wonderful experience! Every weekend I went out and explored all around Ireland, there are so many amazing places to go and explore! It is very easy to come home from work and try a new pub or restaurant around the city, and weekend trips are very accessible, especially the ones that Stint facilitates. The Stint staff is very nice and always responds in a prompt and helpful manner to any concerns that you have.

To try and pick a single story is not easy, as so many of them are interlocked, but one that stands out to me since it was one of my first weeks abroad was when the Stint team had organized one of its get-togethers. A few housemates, myself, and Elli, Stint's intern, took the DART train from Dublin to Portmarnock where we met up with Melanie, the director, Seana, one of the program coordinators, and walked along the coast towards Malahide. This was the first time I was able to meet Melanie after receiving the news from her more than a year earlier that I had won a placement in the Stint program through a contest. She was so warm and personable, as are Seana and Elli and the rest of the Stint crew! They made me feel right at home. We all stopped and had a bit of a picnic by the water before continuing our walk to Malahide castle. It was a great experience because I was able to see more of Ireland that I hadn't before, but it also made me feel like Stint was the right choice for me. Their small team makes all the difference giving a personalized experience and genuinely catering to the participants.

I had an amazing time while in Dublin! I am from the USA and I thought everyone in the program was welcoming and fun. My internship was valuable to my major and future goals. Dublin's social scene is also like no other, it was busy every weeknight and weekend. I enjoyed traveling all over Ireland in addition to many other countries. The Stint program makes it easy to make friends and seek out the type of experience you want.

I was placed at the UCD Lyons Research farm doing Maize research. Soon I was helping other Ph. D and Masters students with their animal research trials, which included being in a Rusitec to weighing sheep, pigs and weekly rumen collection from research dairy cows. It was amazing. I had no experience with farm animals but everyone was willing to teach me the basics about their research trials and their animals.

Melanie, Aoife and Jeffery made my experience so much better. They were always offering ideas for weekend trips or setting up get togethers with the other interns. Since I was staying outside of Dublin, I did not get to stay in the Stint houses, and that is my only regret because there were a lot of pretty awesome people in the houses. Before I got here, I did not have to worry about anything at all. The team was wonderful and answered all my questions and always got back to me quickly. My doubts about this kind of program were quickly eliminated the more I talked to Aoife. I didn't have to worry about accommodation or placement or anything. They are a wonderful team and I would recommend them to anyone looking to intern in Ireland.

I received several options for my internship but eventually chose one that was a full-time Monday to Friday position at a private dental clinic in Dublin. Stint worked quickly and efficiently to find me this position, I contacted Stint around the month of June for a position beginning in July and ending in October, no other company found a placement for me except Stint. After I chose a placement, Stint then contacted the clinic for an interview where I discussed my role directly with the clinic in more detail, thereafter I paid up and everything was finalised.

Stint sent an email a few days before my flight giving me all the necessary documents I might need at the airport including travel insurance, the taxi details, how to get to my residence, location of the Stint office and important contact numbers. The day after landing in Dublin I went to the Stint office to collect my starter pack (the most useful tote bag, I took 2, keep it in your bag at all times, so useful for groceries!) filled with brochures, maps and a mobile phone with a local sim card (sim cards are anyways free). After a week I changed my sim card to another company since that company provided better monthly data/internet package.

I did not stay in Stint lodgings because I was travelling with my parents also they were slightly overpriced. Instead we rented a small two bedroom apartment about a 15 minute bus ride from my place of work.

I had monthly one-on-one meetings with Aoife, Melanie & Jeffery (the staff at Stint) along with emails during the month just to see how I was doing. Stint were also in regular contact with the clinic. Dublin is a fantastic city filled with the warm-hearted Irish.

I'd recommend Stint to everyone from seasoned travellers to first time travellers. Take comfortable shoes, there’s walking to do! Keep an umbrella on you at all times and don’t believe the weather forecast, it rains regardless of the season! Also join Facebook cos that's where all the outings are planned.