The internship I attended during my summer abroad in Dublin, Ireland was at the ARC Cancer Support Centres. My role at this wonderful company was as a Marketing Intern in the Fundraising department. I created a report of suggestions and fixes for their website and all their social media accounts so the company could increase traffic and donations. They are now using my report as a guideline to create a new website design. I would highly recommend this internship experience to others. This is an experience you would not gain from staying in your home country.

Although I am majoring in Chemistry, I picked the UCD Summer Internship Programme to supplement the Business certificate I’m adding to my degree plan. Chemistry and Business may sound like they don’t mix, but my internship allowed me to use my analytical and research-oriented background to help the company develop a brand new social enterprise. I enjoyed working for Quality Matters because of the value and trust they place in their interns. We had real, practical work and it was everything I wanted it to be! I had the opportunity to be an influential part of a huge project, and I also got to experience real Irish culture in the workplace. Conversations with my co-workers about their lives and hobbies helped me catch a glimpse of what it is really like to live and work in Dublin. I would recommend the UCD Summer Internship Programme to anybody with an interest in studying abroad, because this program lets you escape the realm of tourism and gives you the opportunity to see Dublin as the Dubs do!

I interned at a private hospital in Ireland in their Patient Accounts Office. My six-week project involved data analysis as well as working with various staff members throughout the office and hospital in order to identify issues in their processes and come up with solutions. I could not have predicted that I would gain so much from my internship in such a short period of time. I improved my analytical and problem-solving skills, worked outside of my comfort zone and expanded my healthcare knowledge. The academic component of this programme is definitely an added bonus. For me, I was able to transfer back 6 credit hours which will help me complete my degree at my home university on time.

The Cultural Programme organized by the Quinn School of Business was extremely fun and well-organized. I got the opportunity to participate and see parts of Irish culture that I would have never done on my own, such as visiting Causey Farm. This trip included baking traditional Irish soda bread, jumping into a mud bog, learning about Irish cultural traditions and getting to milk a cow. Other trips included Cliffs of Moher, hiking in the nearby mountains and other cultural activities. Overall, I would absolutely recommend the Summer Internship Programme at UCD to others because it exceeded my expectations. While I was hesitant to push myself out of my comfort zone, it was one of the best decisions I have made because it allowed me to gain real-life work experience, expand my education and knowledge, travel throughout Europe, and meet people who will be my friends for years to come.

• Why did you choose to study business?

I chose to study business initially because I did not know what I wanted to do in university. In the hopes of keeping my options as open as possible I chose to study business with the concept that with this skill set I could apply myself to any industry. In choosing to specialise in international business and marketing I again wanted to explore skills that would allow me to explore business in many different markets, both in terms of discipline and location. 

• What made you choose UCD as a destination for Study Abroad?

I chose UCD as my destination for studying abroad as I had completed the High School Summer Programme at UCD four years prior to coming to study and had had an incredible time. During that programme I met my best friend to this day and fell in love in Ireland. When choosing to study abroad in university I immediately knew that UCD could provide me with another fantastic experience, and it has not disappointed. 

• What has been the most interesting part of your studies in UCD so far?

The most interesting part of my experience in UCD thus far has been becoming more and more immersed in the Irish culture, particularly through the lens of the history of Dublin. UCD has allowed me to learn about Ireland from a historical as well as a cultural and business perspective. As a country so rich in tradition and history, the Irish way of life has grown on me immensely and has encouraged me to explore more of the country and the beautiful sights and towns that it houses. It has been a fantastic aspect of this experience to learn so much about a foreign country to the extent that it feels as though it is a second home. 

• What has been the most challenging part of your studies in UCD so far?

One of the most challenging aspects of this experience has been adjusting to the curriculum which, in terms of grading and structure, is extremely different to that of U.S universities. At UCD there is much more of your grade that is dependent upon final exams or large group projects, which requires some thought and planning when it is a foreign system. 

• What advice would you give to prospective students who are thinking of taking the opportunity to study abroad/participate in Exchange/Erasmus?

My overriding advice in this category is to absolutely do it. Just go for it, even if you need to push yourself. Nothing allows and pushes you to grow more than studying abroad, which is an ideal way to see the world, meet new people and learn about yourself! I have completed three semesters of study abroad during my university degree and they are hands down the best times of my life. Even if it’s scary, go for it!!

• And... when thinking about your time outside UCD, what has been the best thing about Ireland so far?

The best thing about Ireland is the people! I have never been in a friendlier country. Everyone is willing to talk to you at any point and are so warm and welcoming. Take advantage of this, go to a pub, talk to a stranger! You’re guaranteed to meet some wild people and hear some hilarious stories.

• Why did you choose to study business?

Dinner table conversations surrounding my father’s entrepreneurial ventures drew me into the world of business even before I could fathom what the word ‘business’ stood for. Gradually, my interest has found expression in the numerous visits I have paid to my father's office. In the early days, I got exposed to the various strains of operating a business such as regular meetings with managers, judicious allocation of resources, formulation of strategies to attract international buyers and maintenance of a healthy work atmosphere. This early introduction made me confident that I wanted to study business when I graduate from high school.

• What made you choose UCD as a destination for Study Abroad?

The diverse classes offered by UCD and coupled with Ireland's natural beauty were the primary reasons why I chose UCD. Similar to my home university in Indiana, US I always preferred living a little away from the hustle bustle of the city. When I got to know the location of the beautiful campus and the facilities, I immediately knew I could call it home for the semester. One of the other reasons was how hospitable and friendly Irish people were when I met a few of them who were on exchange in my university.

• What has been the most interesting part of your studies in UCD so far?

Attending classes with such a diverse group of people from different countries has been the most exciting part of my UCD journey. Before attending classes in Quinn, I had never been in a room with so many nationalities. Courses in UCD are a great place to listen to the different thought processes of people from all over the globe. One of the most critical learnings were while working in our group of four nationalities: American, Irish, Indian and French.

• What has been the most challenging part of your studies in UCD so far?

Getting used to a new academic pattern and adapting with the Irish education standards were the most challenging part of my experience. The layout of the classes and the way they are taught created issues initially but did not take a long time getting adjusted to the essay writing style of education.

• What advice would you give to prospective students who are thinking of taking the opportunity to study abroad/participate in Exchange/Erasmus?

When I look back at the time which I have spent in Dublin, I feel like a caterpillar. The way a caterpillar needs to stuff itself with leaves and grow longer through moults to shed its skin; similarly I have been through a tough but rewarding experience. The most important advice I would give to prospective students is to get out of your comfort zone and do things differently. I realised opportunities would not knock on my door, but I would have to work hard and get out of my room to make things work. In the beginning, I felt I had survived the feeding process of the caterpillar, but as time progressed, I kept learning and growing by taking on challenges. I would suggest all of the incoming students meet people away from their home country to explore different perspectives.

• And... when thinking about your time outside UCD, what has been the best thing about Ireland so far?

Apart from having the delicious Guinness in an Irish pub with live music, my favourite memory has been going hiking to different parts of Ireland. It is the most ideal destination if you like me love to explore the countryside, go hiking, horse riding or try different adventure sports. Making a road trip to Donegal and climbing Benbulben in County Sligo has so far been the best experience in my Ireland journey.

Pax Financial Planning is the perfect firm for those seeking an engaging experience within a dynamic, fast-paced work environment. The sales team, support staff, and executives are welcoming, professional, and genuinely invested in providing a challenging yet rewarding internship. Interns are trusted with an astounding level of access to information and company meetings, enabling students to weigh in on issues concerning strategy, sales procedure, etc. Menial tasks are not delegated to interns. Pax instead rewards students with responsibility and stimulating work, ensuring interns leave Ireland knowing how to do more than simply staple client materials or send a fax. Outside the office, Pax goes above and beyond to introduce interns to Irish culture. Golf, seaside visits, regular restaurant trips, and nights in Dublin with Pax coworkers were among the highlights of my time abroad. I could not more highly recommend Pax Financial Planning as a stellar company for international students considering an internship experience in Ireland.