Wondering what it’s like to intern abroad in Ireland? Join us as Mackenzie from West Chester University recounts her summer internship in Galway with AIFS Abroad!
Discover why Mackenzie called her international internship with AIFS Abroad in Galway the “best summer of [her] life”!
Choosing a Program Destination & Term
Don’t know where you want to intern abroad? No worries! You can start by looking for programs that match your career field/academic interest (hint: use the AIFS Abroad program search tool!). And if you’re still struggling to choose a destination after browsing program options, reach out to our team—we’re always happy to help narrow down your options.
But if you’re like Mackenzie, you may already have a specific country or region of the world in mind:
“I chose to intern abroad in Galway because I’ve always wanted to travel to Ireland. From what I saw and read online, Galway seemed like it would provide me with a really exciting and enriching study abroad experience. I would absolutely recommend others to study or intern abroad in Galway. My experience was incredible, and I loved everything about my time in Ireland. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.”
Did you know that you can study or intern abroad and be at your home university during the fall and springsemesters? That’s right, it’s called a summer term! For people like Mackenzie who can’t imagine missing even one semester at their home university, a summer program is an ideal option:
“I always wanted to study abroad at some point during my college experience. I chose the summer term because I didn’t want to be away from my university, clubs, and friends for an entire semester. The 8-week program felt like the perfect time for me to intern abroad.”
Between the summer festivals and warm weather, Mackenzie found that summer term was an excellent time to intern abroad in Galway:
“The vibe of Galway during the summer was amazing. The weather wasn’t too hot aside from a week or two. The city center was very lively during the months I was there because of the many different events taking place. The Galway Arts Festival and the Galway Races occurred while I was abroad, and it was really fun to experience these events and feel the city really come alive.”
Why Intern Abroad?
College students and recent grads choose to intern abroad for many reasons, including building their resumes, gaining professional experience, creating a global network, and exploring different career paths before they apply for jobs.
For Mackenzie, an intern abroad program combined the cultural benefits of studying abroad with the career advantages of an internship:
“I originally wanted to study abroad during the summer, but when I saw internship options were available, I went that route instead. I was really excited for the opportunity to gain internship experience while also getting to fulfil my dream of [going] abroad.
I think college students should absolutely pursue this type of experience. Not only did I gain real-world experience in my area of study, but I developed an understanding of what it’s like to work in a different culture. Additionally, getting the opportunity to travel in a new country at this time in my life was so incredible.”
Internship Experience
Want to gain firsthand professional experience before you enter the workforce? AIFS Abroad is on the job! Once your application is approved, we guarantee an internship placement in at least one of your two dedicated career fields.
Mackenzie’s accounting internship in Galway helped her develop real-world job skills that will not only look great on her resume but will be extremely valuable once she lands her first role. And as an accounting and business analytics major with a minor in white-collar crime, her internship at a small accounting firm brought together multiple areas of academic interest:
“My main responsibility was working on the firm’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework. I was in charge of compiling all the client information (names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, date of birth, nature of client, etc.) into an Excel spreadsheet. I also had to go through the clients’ AML documentation, which included identification and proof of address. I had to identify the clients that had expired documentation and send out emails requesting up-to-date information. I was also responsible for setting up the risk assessments, monitoring, and running an EU sanctions check on all clients.”
Housing
Having a comfortable place to call home can make a big difference when adjusting to life abroad. All AIFS Abroad programs include housing that’s been vetted by our on-site staff. This ensures that you’ll have a home base that’s safe, comfortable, and conveniently located!
Hear Mackenzie describe her student residence in Galway:
“During my program, I stayed in a student residence. Everyone in the program stayed in the same accommodation, and we were split into four different apartments. I lived with seven other girls, each of us having our own bedroom and bathroom.”
Her favorite part of her student residence was how it let her spend time with other AIFS Abroad participants while still providing private space to unwind on her own:
“It was really nice to have a space to decompress if I needed to, but I spent most of my time at the apartment hanging out in the shared living room or kitchen. I had a great experience with the girls I lived with. I became very close with a few of my roommates, and we ended up spending the majority of our summer together. We traveled around Ireland, explored the city center, visited different pubs, and just hung out in the living room watching movies at night.”
Making Friends Abroad
Worried about making friends abroad? That’s totally normal! Most people choose to set out alone and are eager to meet other AIFS Abroad participants—just like you.
Mackenzie noted how AIFS Abroad housing, activities, and excursions made meeting friends easy from the outset:
“I did not know anyone before going to Ireland. I was nervous about making friends, as I feel this can make or break an experience like this. However, I quickly connected with the other people in the program, especially my roommates. The earlier activities set up by the program definitely helped me get to know other people and build my friendships… From what I saw, everyone in the program found their people.”
Social & Cultural Activities
AIFS Abroad social and cultural activities are designed to help participants connect with one another while they learn more about the local culture. Thinking back on all the activities Mackenzie did during her program, Irish dancing stood out:
“My favorite activity was the Irish dancing lesson. I don’t have any dance experience, so it was fun to learn something new that is also really ingrained in Irish culture. We were taught a few types of dances, and even if we weren’t the best at it, I really enjoyed doing it with the other people in the program. I think I liked this event in particular because it took place towards the beginning of the trip, and this was the night I got closer with the girls who would become my good friends during the program.”
Cultural Appreciation
Visiting another country as a tourist is one thing, but living abroad gives you the chance to experience the rhythms of daily life firsthand. Often, it’s the little things that leave the biggest impression—the scent of the early-morning seaside breeze, the taste of your favorite local snack, or in Mackenzie’s case, the sound of traditional Irish music at night:
“I really admired the pub scene in Galway, especially the live music! Walking through the streets of Galway at night and hearing trad music coming from all the different pubs was such a cool feeling.”
Ireland’s cultural traditions also came to life through local sporting events. One experience in particular gave Mackenzie a close look at the pride and community spirit that surround Gaelic sports:
“My favorite cultural experience while abroad was going to the Galway vs. Cork hurling semifinals. I had never seen a hurling match before, so I was excited to learn about the sport and experience a part of Irish culture. My friends and I had great seats right behind the goal, and I really enjoyed watching the match. Galway ended up winning, and it was fascinating to witness the pride the people of Galway had for their county in person.”
The Impact of Interning Abroad
Few experiences accelerate your growth quite like an international internship. In addition to providing her with professional experience, Mackenzie’s accounting internship in Galway helped solidify her career goals:
“Interning abroad helped me grow academically and professionally. During my internship, I primarily worked on the firm’s anti-money laundering framework… I was grateful for the opportunity to work on something that connects to my studies and that I am passionate about. This was my first internship, and my time with the accounting firm I was with helped me develop a better understanding of what it’s like to work in the field. I think this experience solidified my future goal of working in forensic accounting.”
The internship also pushed Mackenzie well beyond her comfort zone and helped her build confidence in herself:
“My time abroad also helped me grow personally. I was definitely anxious to be traveling to a new country where I didn’t know anyone, and the fears I had about making friends and being homesick were daunting. However, this [experience] helped me prove to myself that I am capable of stepping out of my comfort zone and that taking risks can be worth it. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have been confident enough in myself to spend the summer in a new country with all new people. I am so glad that I pushed myself to apply for the program and go abroad this summer. This was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Looking back on her summer in Galway, Mackenzie leaves us with one final reflection:
“I would just like to say that I had the best summer of my life in Galway. I am so grateful to have had this experience. I made such great friends and memories, and this summer will always have a special place in my heart!”
Are you a college student or recent graduate who’s ready to take the leap and intern abroad with AIFS Abroad like Mackenzie did in Galway? We’d love to help you start your journey!
At AIFS Abroad, we provide the support, opportunities, and resources that help make amazing, “best summer of my life” experiences like Mackenzie’s possible. Whether your goal is to gain professional experience, immerse yourself in a new culture, or simply try something you’ve always dreamed of doing, our programs are designed to help you make the most of your time abroad.
That means housing, integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, and so much more!
And who knows? Like so many AIFS Abroad participants, you may just come home with your own “best summer of my life” story to tell.
