Curious what it’s like to intern abroad in Ireland? Set sail for the Emerald Isle as we hear from AIFS Abroad participant Bronwyn from Susquehanna University, who did a summer internship in Galway at a local tour company and boating club.
Discover how Bronwyn’s summer internship in Ireland helped her build her professional skill set and explore the beautiful Emerald Isle!
Choosing a Program Destination & Term
Having trouble deciding where to intern abroad? That’s okay! AIFS Abroad offers intern abroad programsacross the world and most major career fields. Use our program search tool to filter by country or field to narrow down your search. Or, reach out to our team for some guidance—we’re here to help!
Bronwyn landed on Galway for her intern abroad program. And thanks to the welcoming culture and access to the rest of Ireland, she was very happy with her decision:
“Galway was such a wonderful city. The people are very welcoming, and it’s in such a good location to explore the rest of the country.”
AIFS Abroad offers many programs throughout the year, including semester and short-term programs—so you can choose something that aligns with your academic schedule. Hear why Bronwyn decided to intern abroad in Galway during the summer:
“Summer in Galway was beautiful! The weather was very good, and it was a great time to explore nature in the countryside as well as the water and the beaches of Galway.”
Why Intern Abroad?
Entering the job market after college can be a daunting prospect (to say the least!). Interning abroad can help you prepare to enter the workforce, explore possible career paths, and strengthen your resume so you have a better shot at landing your dream job.
Here’s why Bronwyn thinks an international internship program is so valuable:
“Having an internship of any kind really gives you hands-on experiences that an academic setting can’t provide. It also serves to set you up for jobs post-grad.”
For someone like Bronwyn who plans to move abroad after graduating, interning abroad was especially important:
“Interning abroad is something I always knew I wanted to do since I plan to move abroad after graduation. Having the internship experience helped me solidify this goal and give me insight into what life may look like for me in the future.”
Internship Experience
Internship experience is most beneficial when it supports your professional goals. That’s why AIFS Abroad internships guarantee a position that aligns with at least one of your desired career fields.
As an international business and marketing major, Bronwyn’s tourism marketing internship was an ideal match:
“During this internship, I primarily focused on tourism marketing and social media strategy. I managed [my host company’s] Instagram account, growing it by more than 300 followers and generating over 100,000 total views in just eight weeks. I also created a comprehensive brand guide and refreshed two additional social media accounts to better reflect each brand’s unique visual identity.”
The great thing about an internship is that it often exposes you to a range of responsibilities, letting you sample a wide array of possible career paths. At Bronwyn’s host company, she wore many different hats and got to work on some unique projects:
“Beyond social media, I had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, such as designing merchandise, developing a long-form YouTube series, and assisting with the process of achieving Ireland’s National Heritage Status for the Galway Hooker (a single-mast fishing boat). Working on such a diverse range of projects provided a valuable insight into the many facets of marketing and the range of skills required specifically for tourism marketing.”
Professional Development & Networking
Studying a profession in class is one thing, but actually carrying out real-world tasks on a daily basis? That kind of experience can’t be learned in a lecture.
Not only is professional development a key benefit of interning abroad, but as Bronwyn explains, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and learn from established professionals themselves:
“My job was amazing. My coworkers taught me so much while also challenging me. I learned all about the history and culture of Galway and business during my time there. They helped me advance professionally but also gave me wonderful experiences outside of work. I learned how to sail a traditional Galway Hooker, and they even threw me a birthday party since I was away from home.”
Work Culture
Reflecting on the difference between U.S. and Irish work culture, Bronwyn says she liked the laid-back vibe she experienced on the Emerald Isle:
“The main difference is the ‘break culture.’ The Irish are very comfortable taking the time to have a lunch break… even it’s busy. This was a nice change from U.S. culture, which can sometimes be so hectic that breaks are lost.”
This slower, more deliberate approach to work left a lasting impact on her:
“The Irish are very kind and live life at a slower pace than I do in the States. I really try to keep this spirit with me as I continue my work and studies.”
Housing
While some college students and recent grads may be fine roughing it for a night or two while they travel on the weekends, most prefer safe, clean, and central housing throughout their study or intern abroad programs.
Rest assured! All AIFS Abroad programs include housing that’s vetted by our on-site staff. In fact, our housing is so great, we’ve even won awards for it!
But don’t take our word for it! Hear what Bronwyn had to say:
“I stayed in a shared apartment with a private room. Overall, housing was very nice! The city was still a bus ride or long walk away, and the area felt very safe.”
Making Friends Abroad
Just about everyone worries about making friends during their study or intern abroad program. Fortunately, our programs make it easy to meet fellow AIFS Abroad participants through included social activities and excursions, as well as program housing.
Like many others who choose to study or intern abroad with us, Bronwyn made some truly meaningful friends who she still keeps in contact with:
“Making friends in the program was super easy! I still keep in contact with a few of them even after the program.”
Activities & Excursions
AIFS Abroad activities and excursions aren’t just a great way to connect; they also help participants explore their program destination with the help and knowledge of local guides. Thinking back, Bronwyn’s favorite excursion was to the scenic Aran Islands:
“I absolutely loved our trip to the Aran Islands. The ferry was lovely, and the view of the cliffs was absolutely magical!”
The Impact of Interning Abroad
Professional experience and a more impressive resume are far from the only benefits of interning abroad. For many people, it’s a way to grow as a person and explore possible career paths before they enter the workforce.
Bronwyn found that her internship in Galway made her more independent, confident about traveling, and prepared to take on a career after graduation:
“I learned that living abroad after graduation is very achievable and not as hard as I once imagined. I also learned to solo travel and live independently. Professionally, I learned I’m capable of making an impact on an organization even as an intern and that the skills I’ve learned in the classroom can apply in the places you least expect.”
Are you a college student or recent graduate who’s ready to take the leap and intern abroad with AIFS Abroad like Bronwyn did in Galway? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions that are designed to enrich your experience abroad and ease the transition in your host city. From coordinating your housing to providing things like integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and cultural and social activities and excursions, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
