My grand ol' time in Dublin

The eight weeks I spent in Dublin this summer of 2015 are filled with the most fun and unforgettable experiences of my life. So many adventures, so many memories, and lessons learned about myself throughout my internship experience and just my experience of being in a completely different country.

I was always so comfortable in Dublin. There was never a moment when I felt worried or concerned about anything really. Something that completely shocked me was just how incredibly nice everyone was to one another. When walking in to a store or a pub you wouldn't get this customer service that we are used to, so that took a while to get used to, but when it came to being lost and in need of directions there was always someone who would either walk with me and point out where I had to go or draw me a map or give me some sort of traveling tips. I was able to travel and visit the cities of Howth, Cork, Galway, Drogheda, Skerries and of course the Cliffs of Moher over the weekends without it being such a big hassel.

Walking down Grafton Street and enjoying the performances there, or drinking a pint of Guinness at O'Donoghues and listening to live traditional Irish music, going back to Croke Park to see The Script in concert, having local Drogheda band The Enemies sing me happy birthday and even going to see Once The Musical at the Olympia Theater, are examples of just how much of an impact music was throughout my eight week Dublin experience. As a big fan of music, I was never disappointed in the music playing all over Ireland.

As for my internship, I worked four days a week at the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) where my biggest project was to design the organization’s 2014 Annual Report. Apart from that, I also learned valuable office skills, and was a part of the organization’s big DVD and Training Guide launch, their Annual General Meeting and their consistent support for International Students.

I loved being in Dublin, the Irish culture was something that I loved so much more than I thought I would, to the point where I did not want to leave and am now considering returning in the future for my master’s degree.

IES Abroad was incredible from the very beginning. Right from the start, they were attentive to all of my questions and concerns. I was happy with my internship placement and enjoyed all that the program had to offer, whether it be the weekly classroom sessions, side trips like the Experience Gaelic Sports where I played a little bit of handball, hurling and Gaelic football to just being able to live, work, and explore Ireland.