AIFS Abroad: Study, Intern, or Study & Intern in Ireland

I spent my fall semester interning in Dublin, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! I developed so much both personally and professionally and feel that I have learned so much more about myself. I worked alongside some amazing professionals who allowed me opportunities to take on big projects and made me feel a part of a workplace community. The Global Experiences staff were always there to lend a helping hand if I needed anything. They also hosted some great events during the program, so there is always something going on and opportunities to interact with some of the other people in the program. The friendships and memories I made on this trip I will always cherish and it made it hard to leave Dublin behind. There are so many fun things to do in Dublin and Ireland and I loved every second of it.

I just finished my summer internship in Dublin through global experiences although I was skeptical at the start I found that Global Experiences did an amazing job pairing me up with an internship that fit my preferences. I worked for a tech startup in dublin and had the chance to contribute to the startup in many ways while also learning a ton from all of the employees and other interns. I did not live in the housing provided although I visited a few times and the housing seemed very nice and in central Dublin. The Dublin staff did a great job making sure I was enjoying my internship and providing me many opportunities to meet more of the students in the program through weekly social events. All around it was a great experience and I am very pleased with the experience I gained during my internship and the relationships I made.

From the second I decided to go abroad for my internship to when I got back from an amazing summer in Dublin, Global Experiences and their staff were extremely helpful, kind, and accommodating. I seriously can't thank them enough for everything they did. I interviewed with Andrew, who went above and beyond and really got to know me as a person and helped me figure out what was best for me. My Program Advisor was Sara, who was very organized and helped me complete everything on the pre-departure checklist with ease. My location coordinators were Lara and Hallie, who were on the ball all the time with any questions the attendees had. They were super approachable and easy to talk to as well. If you're having trouble choosing an internship abroad program, I would urge you to give GE a try. I promise you won't be disappointed with the level of service and attention you receive.

The GE internship program is a must going into your young adult life. Volunteering abroad was an experience like no other. Meeting new people, getting work experience, discovering your likes and dislikes in your personal field, experiencing new culture, was priceless. I discovered that I really loved working in a nonprofit company in the field medicine, I am more confident in my goals for my future career because of this GE program. Throughout this experience, not only did I get to meet people in my host city Dublin, however, I made friendships that will last forever with other GE students. As we worked through out the week, we also had the opportunity to travel Europe on the weekends. This GE experience made out to be the best summer ever.

This was a fantastic experience, both for getting to see the world and for professional and personal development. It was a journey of self-discovery and guidance for my future career and interests for the remainder of schooling. Ireland is a beautiful country, with tons of hidden gems and attractions beyond what is advertised and presented in social media. Discovering these little areas and attractions was the highlight of the journey for me, being able to go around wherever I could feasibly get and finding each and every activity, park, group of people, and corner of Ireland that I could in the time I was not working. Work itself was great, as it not only exposed me to people who had been immersed in the culture for a long while (and provided fun conversation with comparisons between cultures), but also gave a profound look into my own professional career path and where I intend to take my life from here on out.

Being in Dublin this summer was an amazing experience! I got to travel to many new places in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. I have also had the opportunity to make new connections with the people that I have met through this program, which I am incredibly thankful for. Global experiences has helped to prepare me for what it is like to be abroad, especially within Dublin. Through all the orientations they had online I can say with confidence that I understood what to expect while I was here. Once here, I was able to contact any of our location coordinators if there was an issue and they would respond in a decent amount of time to help. Overall, Dublin is a great city with many sights to see, and Ireland is a beautiful country to explore. If given a second opportunity I would definitely do this program again.

Global Experiences seems at first like no more than a convenience service, a program that finds an internship for you based on what you're looking for so you don't have to. While it's great at this, having gotten me a job with a senator, it helps you in many more ways than just getting you connected with an employer that will benefit you throughout your career. Global Experiences provides you with one on one resume and cover letter help that is quite insightful, for example. Furthermore, the program lets you take a professional personality test that, while at first seemed a bit like a Buzzfeed quiz, is nonetheless employed by real companies all over the world. So, you'll get it out of the way, be able to provide those results to future employers, and be able to use the test to inform your cover letter because the results reveal your top five strengths as a worker that can help inform what kind of rhetoric to employ. Yeah, the test seems pretty wonky and fake, but trust me when I say it's eerily accurate. Beyond all this, they will always be available for whatever kind of advice you need throughout the process, both before and after you secure the internship and even during. If you're looking for a service that is all about making sure you succeed now and in the future, Global Experiences is the one for you.

The Global Experiences staff do everything they can to ensure the transition into a new culture goes as smooth as possible. They provide whatever support is needed, and were very helpful throughout the duration of the internship. Lots of social events were planned to help immerse you into Ireland's unique culture, and I definitely recommend taking advantage of these opportunities! Traveling abroad enables you to broaden your perspectives and grow as an individual, both personally and professionally. My internship itself was in the government, and definitely helped me gain a clearer understanding of what I want to do in the future. Working as an intern as provides valuable professional experience to prepare you for the work force while also building your resume. This was an experience like no other, and I guarantee you would not regret it!