Amazing experience that fundamentally added to my career development

I loved my time at the Burren College of Art. It is difficult to find design/art programs abroad, and the Burren College is one of the best kept secrets of the study abroad world.

It's located on the West Coast of Ireland (not far from the famous cliffs of moher) in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, The Burren. It's a small program, usually between 15-20 students (more in the spring and summer) but there is plenty of quiet and beauty to inspire and plenty of time to develop skills and projects.

As a graphic designer, I wanted to use the time to really develop new skills and interesting projects. The staff gives you the room to do what you want while pushing you to think bigger. I included some of the projects in my portfolio, and the experience overall changed my design process and was instrumental in getting me my first job post-grad.

The town itself is small and isolated, but if you are more introverted you won't have a problem with it. I loved everything about my experience. If you have any interest in art or developing any creative skills, this is a program to consider!

The IFSA butler staff were really helpful before and during my experience and it was nice to have additional resources beyond the college. I also got to participate in group trips to Belfast and Connemara, which was a nice break away from the isolation.