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Stint Ireland

Why choose Stint Ireland?

Stint Ireland operates on the belief that experiences abroad are valuable and worthwhile. Our dedicated team works hard to facilitate our program, where the focus is on you, and we pride ourselves on our diverse range of internship and work experiences in Dublin, Ireland.

Why Dublin? Because it's a young, modern, and trendy city, built on historically and culturally-rich foundations, undergoing an innovative and creative boom. Also, because we're in LOVE with Dublin and Ireland.

Reviews

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Jacob
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Scam

Very disappointed with Stint during my time in Ireland. Once you arrive they leave you hanging. Barely any help if anything for your job search. The team is very disorganized. You get emails repeatedly asking the same questions from members of the team. If you come from a family with a lot of money it’s ok, but if you’re looking to actually work and to pay your bills and help from the team you will get almost nothing. If you’re going to get a holiday working visa I recommend using a local lawyer in Ireland or doing it on your own. I thought I would get more help with a whole visa process once I arrived in Ireland but there was nothing. When I asked for help they would say ask other people that were in the program their experiences. I felt taken advantage of. The housing is double the money when it comes to looking to rent a place with other roommates. Never again. Stay away from this scam.

Pros
  • Place to live scam free
Cons
  • No help once you arrive
  • Job search on your own
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Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Couldn’t Have Done It Without Stint

I did a gap year with the Stint program and loved it so much! From my first inquiry, Stint was excellent at communicating and continued to be leading up to and during my travels. Stint was quick to respond and happy to answer any questions that I had and since moving abroad wasn’t something I’d done before, I had a lot of them! Though I did not do an internship through Stint, I lived in Stint housing on my gap year with fellow Stinters who did have internships. Dublin is a city full of opportunity and Stint offers unique internships that I got to see my roommates experience. Living in Stint housing has made the biggest impact on my experience as it has taken the stress out of finding a place and also being around other people my age on the same journey. There are also social events and trips Stint plans, which was something I loved because they were trips I might not have been able to take on my own! The support and comfort Stint brings to such a new and unfamiliar environment. I’m so grateful for my experience in Ireland with Stint!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
It is never too late! Try something new during your time, something you might not have considered at home. Talk to people, ask questions, and seek out adventure!
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Kristen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Having the best year!

I've really appreciated the support and network that comes with Stint. To me, one of the most vital things that made me choose Stint over independently coming to Ireland was the fact that you start out in Stint housing and can stay there for as long as you need. This cut out what is probably one of the hardest parts of moving abroad, which is figuring out housing. Stint also cares about giving you a fun and socially valuable experience, and I have made lifelong friends through this program. I've been here 6 months so far and it's just been a great experience.

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Hayley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best investment in yourself and work/life experience

Stint came to me at the right time when I was looking for a next step in my life/career that was an exciting transition out of college. Stint gave me the opportunity to make connections with so many people, both from abroad and locally. I gained so much work experience from a very diverse group of temp jobs throughout my year, and I couldn't trade that experience or the family I made along the way, for anything. I spent time with friends and co-workers every day, building relationships I still have. I also spent more time alone, either traveling or experiencing the city on my own. I was able to learn more about myself and grow more self-confidence than I would had I stayed safely in what I though my comfort zone was.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Many first days can be scary! But they get easier.
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Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Such an Exhilarating Experience!!!

I am having the time of my life living here in Dublin! My accommodations are so conveniently located to the airport and the city center. I've only been here a little over a month and I absolutely love it! I can't wait to see what else Stint has in store. Stint has done a great job helping me, they're always available to give me advise and point me in the right direction whether it's a housing question or help needed with applying for jobs they're there for me. Stint has also done a great job organizing different events and activities for me to attend.

I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to do a gap year abroad in Ireland! Stint has given me the tools to succeed and what's more, they've given me a family away from home. I've made so many new friends within my short time here, and they've become such a great support group for me to bounce ideas off of and to travel with in my spare time. What was once a dream to live abroad has become such a magnificent reality, all thanks to Stint Ireland!!

What would you improve about this program?
Definitely moving out of the provided housing. A couple of the girls I live with and myself moved out of Stint housing right before the new year, it was definitely nerve wracking at first, but the girls and I were definitely able to lean on our fellow Stinters for help and eventually found a place!

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Kirsten Trower

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Why did you choose this program?

Before choosing this program, I first knew that I wanted to live abroad. Because of my major being specific to my university, I figured it would be hard to find equivalent classes at different schools around the world. I also wanted to be able to graduate on time, so I knew that I preferred to travel during the summer.

With all of this in mind, I was on the hunt for a summer internship abroad. I figured that gaining work experience would be even more beneficial than studying abroad.

I have also always wanted to visit Ireland, so coming across Stint was the perfect opportunity for me. It was everything I was looking for in my experience abroad.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Stint was very helpful before, throughout, and after my program began. All of the information provided on their website is very straightforward, and reaching out to them was very easy. Through the program, Stint was able to provide me with housing as well as put me in contact with different companies that I was able to interview with for an internship.

They were extremely personable and always there to help you with anything you needed throughout the program.

Some of the things I was responsible for included food and entertainment, and transportation throughout Dublin. They placed me in a house that was super close to my internship location, however, so it was only a 10 minute walk to commute to work.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

The main piece of advice that I would give someone traveling abroad in general, is to save your money! Before my trip, I tried to calculate about how much money I should have saved up for the two months that I would be living in Ireland, but it ended up not being as much as I hoped. There ended up being a bunch of fun things I wanted to do while I was there that I never calculated into my budget. I also planned on traveling around Europe while I was there, which is even more money.

I think it's important to overestimate the amount of money you will need for your trip in order to ensure the best possible experience. That way, you won't have to say no to any fun experiences. it is a trip of a lifetime after all!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day for me during the program looked something like this:

  • Wake up at 9 am and get ready for work.
  • Walk to work and start at 10am.
  • Take pictures, do a bit of marketing research until 1 pm.
  • Take a lunch break 1-2 pm.
  • Come back and finish up work (or attend a work event) and end around 3:30-4 pm.
  • Eat dinner at home.
  • Finish the day by going out to a pub with some of my housemates for a drink and some live music.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was moving to a new place and not knowing anyone. Once I moved in, however, I quickly realized that this would not be the case.

There were 10 other people who were also doing the same program and living in the house with me. I got to know all of them, and we spent a lot of time together inside and outside the house. I still keep in contact with them today and plan to visit some of them after the program has ended.

I was happy to always have people willing to go out and do things with. Knowing that we were all there with the same goals and interests was really comforting.

What was your favorite part about Dublin?

Definitely the craic! Everyone I met in Dublin was so friendly and laid-back. It was a refreshing experience. It's also impossible to ever have a bad experience in any of the pubs in Dublin.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jeffrey Shiau

Job Title
Marketing/Creative
Born and raised in NYC, Jeffrey grew up with a deep desire to seek out new experiences. He has found himself living in places as varied as Atlanta, England, and Scotland, having attended college at the former and studied abroad in the latter two. Since graduating he has traveled across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Currently, he’s loving life in Dublin, Ireland, working as a member of the jolly Stint Ireland team.

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Did you study abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Jeffrey: Yes, I was lucky enough to study abroad twice. My first experience was at Oxford, England, as part of my college’s British Studies Summer program. It was the summer after my freshmen year. I’d always known I would study abroad ever since my older cousin studied abroad in Australia so I jumped at the first opportunity I had.

My second stint was a semester abroad in St Andrews, Scotland, during my senior year. Having spend a summer abroad, I knew I wanted to experience a semester abroad to have a full immersion. It turned out to be exactly as I hoped as I met so many wonderful people during those 4 months who’ve become great friends.

What does the future hold for Stint Ireland - any exciting new programs to share?

Jeffrey: Recently, we launched “Work in Ireland,” a new program that gives people the chance to come to Ireland on the working holiday agreement to work and travel. As a new company, we are extremely ambitious. The study abroad industry has been around for decades and it’s at the forefront of higher education now more than ever.

There’s a movement to increase participation in the United States because of it’s perceived benefits. This is a good sign. However, it’s important not only to think of quantity but also the quality of the experience. We’re keen on being innovative in the way we conduct our business; we’re never satisfied with the status quo.

We want to lead the way and set the standard for study abroad in the 21st century, using the endless resources available to structure meaningful programs that benefit the community and the individual in addition to lowering the barriers of entry to study abroad programs.

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What about the future of the industry? How do you think study and/or intern abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Jeffrey: There’s a lot of research being published about the benefits of international experiences. However, many programs are ill-equipped to implement some essential services such as cross-cultural preparation or re-entry classes. Program costs are a problem as it prevents many less privileged students from getting an international experience.

In the next 10 years, we’ll see a rise in the implementation of experiential education that optimizes the student’s experience and increases the impact they have on their adopted community. Infrastructure for support and social networks for students abroad will be put in place providing genuine cultural immersion.

With the proven tangible benefits to the host community and the individual comes the opportunity to implement a viable crowdfunding model to lower the barriers of entry allowing lower-income students a chance they would not have if it were 5 years ago, or even now.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

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Jeffrey: We believe in being genuine. We are aware that there are people behind every aspect of our business. Every single applicant has a different background and unique journey ahead of them. Every company and organization we work with in Ireland is made up of people working on something they’re passionate about.

And the city of Dublin, and the country of Ireland, are places we love. With this in mind, we’re devoted to facilitating growth in both our program participants and our local community. We encourage the cross-pollination of cultures. Of talent. Of people. It is a powerful phenomenon and we hope it’ll help change the world in a positive way.