Rhys

Immigrating to Ireland on a Working Holiday Authorization: Everything You Need To Know

Ella Killroy
Originally posted on Kilroy Calling

This past year, my final year of college, I found myself feeling stuck and totally unsure of what I wanted to do once I graduated. The idea of getting a corporate 9-5 job filled me with dread, as did the thought of going back to school immediately in order to get a masters. I knew what I needed (time and life experience) but wasn’t totally sure how to give myself those things in a way that still felt exciting and unique. In the back of my mind, I entertained the notion of going back to Ireland, as I studied abroad in Galway my junior year of college and fell in love with living in Ireland, Irish people and culture, and travelling. That time in my life inspired a lot of independence, growth and, most importantly, I felt very truly happy living in Ireland. However, I didn’t know how I would realistically be able to make that happen again. I was concerned about moving abroad if I didn’t want to be a student. How would I get a visa? What would I do for work? How would I find a place to live, friends, a social life? On my quest to give myself a solid plan for next year, I decided I would make the daydream of moving to work in Ireland a reality. I could figure it out. There had to be a way. After some research, I came across a visa that seemed like the answer to my prayers: The Working Holiday Authorization. This visa essentially allows young Americans who are either currently receiving a post-secondary education or recent graduates (up to 12 months) from a post-secondary program of study to live and work anywhere in Ireland for a full year. This visa was my ticket into Ireland, and a month and a half into my move, I can safely say this was the best possible decision I could’ve made for my post-grad plan. In this post, I’ll guide you through the steps of obtaining a Working Holiday Authorization, the process of moving to Ireland, and how to go about finding housing/work/and friends in a foreign country.

Phase One

For phase one of the application process, you need to submit:

  • The completed and signed WHA application, found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
  • A photocopy of your passport.
  • Two identical passport sized photos with your name printed on the other side. I got these taken at a Walgreens. Most drug stores/camera supply stores can do this for you in just a few minutes.
  • Current resume with two references. These do not need to be full written references, just the contact information for two employers/academic mentors who could vouch for you if need be.
  • Evidence that you are currently in full-time post-secondary education, or have graduated within the 12 months prior to receipt of their application. This could be an official transcript or a diploma. I sent a transcript because I hadn’t graduated yet at the time of my application, and that worked fine. Just note you have to send an original copy in, you can’t just print off an online version of your transcript, which means you will have to go through your university and pay whatever they charge for printing an official transcript.
  • A bank statement showing you have access to at least $4,000.
  • The application fee in the form of a money order/cashier’s check made out to the relevant embassy. The price of the application varies depending on which embassy you are applying for, so make sure you consult the DFA website. I didn’t know what a money order or cashier’s check was prior to applying for this visa and was concerned it would be a difficult process to obtain, but it was actually very easy. Money orders are essentially just checks that are pre-paid, so that it is impossible that they could bounce back when the recipient goes to cash it in. To get one, I just went to a local grocery store and asked for a money order to be made out in the exact amount of the application fee, and paid with my debit card. You can get money orders at most grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations and post offices.

Once you have all of these documents, you can submit your application to your assigned embassy. You can either drop off the documents in person or mail them. I mailed mine since I didn’t live close to my embassy, and I made sure to use registered mail since I was sending important and expensive documents. When you register the envelope of documents you are sending, you pay a bit extra to insure it, but it is worth it to have the peace of mind, since it can only be dropped off at the destination when it is physically signed and in the hands of the recipient.

Now, you just have to wait. I read all over the internet about people waiting months to receive news from their embassy, but I heard back relatively quickly. I applied on March 8th, my birthday, and received an email on the 19th that I was approved to continue onto the second phase of the application process.

Phase Two

The second phase is when it starts to become very real and you have to make a solid plan of when and where you will arrive in Ireland. In this phase of the application process, you have to submit:

  • Round trip airline tickets in and out of Ireland within the year-long time span you are permitted to stay on a WHA. I knew I wanted to arrive in September and stay for the full year, but airlines do not plan that far ahead, so I wasn’t able to buy tickets out of Ireland and back to the States in September 2020. Instead I bought flexible fare round trip tickets returning to the States in February 2020 that I can change to a later date as the year goes on.
  • Certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for the duration of your trip. This can easily be obtained online and there are a lot of companies you can purchase travel insurance through pretty cheaply. I ended up going with the Volunteer Card Travel Insurance plan.
  • Your original passport. Yes, your actual, physical, passport. This is why it is so important to register your mail when you send these documents to the embassy!

Once you mail those three documents to the original embassy, you have to wait awhile for it to be processed and approved. Eventually, you will get an email from FedEx that gives you an expected delivery date of a package addressed to you coming from the embassy, which you can safely assume will contain your documents and your WHA. Make sure you are home on the day of the scheduled delivery because you will have to sign for it. When the package arrives, it will contain all the documents you originally submitted, including your passport, and your brand-new official Working Holiday Authorization, your ticket into Ireland for the year.

Once you receive everything, it is essential to put it all in a designated folder or binder that you will take with you once you go. You’ll need to present your WHA and likely a few of the other documents you submitted with the application at passport control once you land in Ireland and at your INIS immigration appointment.

Registering With The INIS and Getting a PPS Number

Before you start worrying about housing, jobs, friends, and everything else, it is important to know that even though you have the visa, you will still have to register with the Irish Nationalization and Immigration Services once you arrive. You have 90 days to do this, but I would recommend doing it as soon as possible once you land, because you can’t start looking for work until you’re registered.

It is extremely difficult to get an appointment (at least at the Dublin office) so be very proactive and start looking for appointments months in advance. Prioritize getting this appointment over and above any of the other little things that will undoubtedly be nagging you. At this appointment, you will have to present your WHA, various documents, get your fingerprints taken and pay an immigration fee of €300. A few days after your appointment, your registration card will arrive in the mail of wherever you happen to be living and you can officially begin looking for work.

Another essential appointment you’ll need to make in order to be paid once you begin working is for a PPS (Personal Public Service) number. A PPS number is how the government identifies you when determining what taxes/benefits you may be eligible for, and is necessary to be paid for your work and to set up a bank account. However, before you can make this appointment you should already have a job offer, as you have to prove at the offices that you actually do have a need for one. The appointments for PPS numbers are also impacted and must be made about a month in advance. Once you arrive at the office you need to have proof of need for a PPS number (in the form of a letter from your employer), proof of Identity (passport) and proof of address (this can also come in a letter from your employer).

It is a confusing and frustrating process (you need a registration card in order to find work, you need to have a job in order to get PPS number, but you need to have a PPS number in order to be paid), so make sure you are aware that the money you’re earning probably won’t hit your bank account for at least a month after your move, even if you do land a job right away. I’d suggest coming prepared, with enough money to last you at least a month or two, so that you aren’t completely panicked if you find yourself a bit stuck in the cycle of appointment making. Once you receive your PPS number in the mail, you can officially start receiving payments from your employer.

© Ella Kilroy

Everything Else

Now that we have the logistical, immigration information out of the way, I can move on to the lifestyle factors: how to find a place to live, work, make friends, and all the other things you need to successfully build a life for yourself abroad.

My number one tip when it comes to giving yourself the best opportunity to successfully acclimate to life in Ireland is to sign up for a program that facilitates your move and provides you with initial housing. I went with Stint Ireland’s Gap Year program and I am so glad that I did, as it made the entire process of getting comfortable in Dublin so much easier. Once you pay the program fee (which yes, is pricey), you get the guidance and support of people whose job it is to help you if you have any issues with registering and getting set up in Ireland, eight weeks paid rent in top-notch houses in some of Dublin’s best neighborhoods, and most importantly, a network of people going through the exact same thing as you. Immediately having a group of friends my age who were also trying to navigate a big move abroad was such a luxury and allowed me to feel like I had a community and people to do stuff with right away. Stint also hosts social events for program participants across Dublin a few times a month, including movie nights, pub crawls, and holiday celebrations (“Stintsgiving” is coming up, for example) which are always fun and a good way to check out new spots around the city. I don’t think it is entirely necessary to go through a program if you want to move to Ireland on a WHA, and you could save a lot of money if you choose to come and find housing yourself, but I think the social benefits and the knowledge that you have on-the-ground support truly make paying the cost of the program worth it, especially if you’re not an extremely outgoing person. I would suggest using a program like this as a jumping off point: a way to get situated and comfortable living in Dublin before you move to a more permanent living situation (which I have yet to do!).

Finding a job was pretty difficult for me and took a few weeks of applying literally everywhere I possibly could, but I was persistent and determined and eventually got hired as a front-of-house employee for a café in my neighborhood. Being an American on a WHA is a turn-off for employers, because they know at an absolute maximum you’ll be with them for only a year, so I wouldn’t expect to land your dream job. I knew I’d likely be working in the service industry during my time in Ireland, and my only real requirements in looking for a place I wanted to work was that it was close to where I lived, had a good vibe, and stayed busy enough.

I applied for positions on both job board websites and by directly reaching out to cafes and restaurants that I liked via email and Facebook messenger, and I eventually got hired through the direct approach. I think that method worked better for me than applying via a job site board because everyone who posts a listing on those websites must get hundreds of applicants, and your resume could easily get overlooked. Directly reaching out to places that you genuinely like, even if they aren’t necessarily advertising that they are hiring, is a good way of going about it, because you stand out as a tenacious go-getter, not just another random resume. In the interim period when you are looking for steady employment, it’s a good idea to register with a recruiting agency and do a few temp jobs just to earn some money and get used to working life in Ireland. I went with this agency, and although I found the work to be pretty boring and monotonous, it was a good way to get started until I landed something more permanent. I know some people are able to do temp work throughout their entire year on a WHA, but it’s more risky because you simply don’t know when, where, how, or what types of jobs might be available at any given time. In any case, the key to finding a job in Ireland is the same as it is anywhere: a combination of persistence and luck.

And there you have it, everything that I think is absolutely essential to know when embarking on a WHA in Ireland. My guide is quite Dublin-specific, as that’s where I decided to live, but still applicable regardless of where you settle in. Of course, I’m only a few months into my time here, so as I go along and experience more I’ll be sure to write updates, but these tips are very comprehensive for the application process and initial move. I know it seems like a daunting process and a lot of work, but if you are thinking about moving abroad post-grad, I would absolutely encourage you to go for it. When you plan ahead and take it all a day at a time, it is completely manageable, and fun creating a life for yourself from scratch.

in Resources & Tips

How to Save Money to Travel Abroad

By Lauren Mhyra
Photo by Doran Erickson on Unsplash

As young students, and even young adults, finances can be a difficult subject to touch on. Like many millennials, living the broke college life has become a character trait. Many have the perception that studying abroad and traveling as a student is near impossible. I, like many others, just saw the lump sum cost of the study abroad program and knew my financial aid wouldn’t cover it. I then completely tossed the idea out of the window. However, I am here to tell you to throw the phase “I can’t afford this so I can’t do it” in the trash because unless you’ve exhausted every single resource, there is ways to afford it.

I’m frequently asked how I afford to travel so often, or told that I’m so lucky I can afford the things that I do. I admit, if you look at my instagram I come off a tad bit boujee but behind the scenes I am far from that. I live paycheck to paycheck like many of my millennial peers, I just sacrifice other aspects of my life to see the world. Here are my tips and tricks for anyone who wants to do the same and ballon a budget.

Plan in Advance

That large lump sum fee is very intimidating at first glance but if you break it down into smaller payments then it’s not as scary. If you plan a trip in advance you can pay for a little bit each month. Also, utilize inclusive group travel companies that don’t require payment up front and have interest free payments. My favorite is EF Ultimate break because all they require is $150 deposit and they break it into interest free payments. I planned my Oktoberfest trip through them in advance and made small monthly payments while they did all of the planning.

Photo by: Chris Lawton

Separate Savings Account

Invest in a separate savings that is not linked to your everyday checking account. This way you can set up a standing order of how much you planned to set aside each month and it’s not tempting to just transfer the money. I have my employer take a certain percentage of my paycheck and deposit it into my savings and the rest of is directly deposited into my checking. That way the money I planned to save is already out of sight and out of mind by the time it hits my account.

Photo by: Yeray Sánchez

Skip the Extras

You might not realize but that morning coffee or lunch out really adds up. A huge part of my savings come from cutting those extra costs out. A $5 coffee five days a week is $100 dollars a month.  I see lunch out and coffee daily as luxury goods. I can get a weeks worth of lunches for the same price as one meal out. Being on a budget is going to mean making sacrifices. Eating a few boring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches definitely makes up for it when you’re able to enjoy pasta in Rome or paella in Spain.

Photo by: Erin Hesselink

Side Jobs

With the advancement of technology there is so many different ways to pick up a few extra bucks here and there. If you’re in school or already working full time the idea of adding extra hours to your already busy workload sounds exhausting. But there are easy things to do in order to make a few extra bucks. Teaching english online is one way to work from the comfort of your home, teaching pre-planned hourly lessons on your own schedule. There is also part-time jobs such as babysitting and ridesharing, the gig economy makes it doable on your own schedule.  When I was planning to do my internship with Stint I signed up to drive with Uber in order to start saving. It wasn’t the most glamorous job but I made good money and it allowed me to spend the summer interning in Ireland.

Travel Smarter Not Harder

When it comes to budget travel, it’s about what’s the cheapest not what’s the most comfortable. This means hostels with 20 people per room and that questionable budget airline. I don’t need a five star luxury hotel for a few hours to sleep at night or a first class ticket for a short hours journey. Also, several countries offer working holiday visas. A working holiday visa is a permit that allows you to live and work in a country to supplement your travels. The working holiday visa in Ireland was extremely easy to obtain, and finding work wasn’t difficult. Living in Ireland has established me a hub that makes linking up to other country super affordable. The working holiday visa has allowed me to see most of Europe at half the cost if I did it in one giant trip.

Going abroad doesn’t have to be so far out of reach. If you’re willing to put in the work then sacrifices will pay off with millions of memories around the world.  Get rid of the ‘I can’t afford this’ mindset and replace it with the ‘how can I make this work’ attitude and your possibilities are endless.

in Resources & Tips

Five Reasons To Love Ireland

By Lauren Mhyra

Céad míle fáilte– Irish for ‘a thousand welcomes’ which cannot be true enough when stepping foot into Ireland. Everything about Ireland welcomes you as if it were your own home. People always ask “why Ireland?” and I can never pinpoint it to one exact reason.  Whether you’re doing an internship, studying abroad or spending your gap year in Ireland you’re going to fall in love and here is why.

 

Rich in History

Ireland is packed with history from eras throughout thousands of years dating back to the Vikings who settled the first towns and ports to the Normans who built castles and cities and eventually, the English who dominated the island. Walk in the paths of literary genius’ and revolutionaries who have shaped Ireland like it is.  From the abandoned castles in the countryside to the bullets still in the GPO you’ll be mesmerized by how much can take place in such a small country. Forget about textbooks and the internet and actually see these historic places while you learn.

(Photo by Stephen Bergin)

The People

The stereotype holds true, the Irish are the friendliest and welcoming people in the world.  You can go anywhere on this small island, you’re practically guaranteed to find a friend.  Even in the big cities, you have that small town feel, that makes everyone so well connected. You go to a pub on your own, chat up the couple next to you and leave with dinner plans next week. Everyone is welcomed and the Irish make sure you feel it too. I’ve never met an Irish person who wasn’t nice.

(Photo by Kevin Dowling)

The Scenery

Breathtaking cliffs, rolling green hills, and picture-perfect sandy beaches Ireland has it all.  Make your way down the Wild Atlantic way swerving down the country roads lined with sheep, indulge in gastronomic gems and simply embrace the scenic vistas.  Living amongst such beauty makes it hard to leave.

(Photo by Nils Nedel)

 

Something for everyone

You can always find something to do here. Even just going out to the pub for some music. You have loads of really cool festivals,  surfing in Donegal or can even go for a hike in the Wicklow mountains.   Any given day or night of the week you can find something to do and you’ll never be bored living in Ireland.

(Photo by Luca Ambrosi)

The Craic

Just the overall vibe of the country makes you never want to leave. From touchdown to take off, you feel as though Ireland is home. No matter who you are, you can find something to love about Ireland.  Everything about the Emerald Isle is indescribably unique. The possibilities are endless and the moments are never dull. From the countryside to the hustle and bustle of a Dublin trad session you feel the spirit of the Irish embrace you.

(Photo by Kelan Chad)

 

Overall, there are a million and one reasons to fall in love with Ireland and I’ve attempted to narrow down the main points but come for a summer internship or a year-long gap year to experience what I am talking about.

in All Things Ireland

Internship Abroad to Career

By Lauren Ponsi (photo credit: Daria Nepriakhina)

Internships are a vital part of building your resumé and developing skills. Internships are an investment in your future because ultimately it is creating the foundation of your career. I have completed a series of different internships in a few different companies, across different sectors, but it all ties back to help my career choice in the end.  

Here are 3 reasons why my internship helps me choose a career path.

Real world experience

Doing an internship gives you an opportunity to work hands-on in your field of choice. You get to see a day to day view of what a certain job might be like and teach you more about that job. Think of it as taking a job for a test drive- internships are a way to try out different jobs and explore different options. When choosing to do internships, try out positions from different departments.M internship was in marketing, PR, community relations and events. I gained an insight for the various roles but all created a foundation of skills that I can use in any of those roles in the end. I found my passion as well as became a well-rounded individual.

 

 

photo credit: Kyle Glenn

 

Personal Development

All experiences we go through, shape us to who we want to be. To know yourself is to know your goals and you’re going to achieve them. An internship is a great way to test your boundaries and learn from failure. You’re placed in a position where you might not know how to do things, and that’s okay. You not only learn about the necessary skills for the job but you learn about yourself and how you work in a workplace environment. Internships gave me confidence in my work, I was given tasks outside my comfort zone that led me to showable skills on my resume. I no longer fear making cold calls about sales but know sales probably not my strong suit. Whereas the fast pace of an event was stressful and scary but now is something I love to do.

 

photo credit: rawpixel

 

Network Building

Building a strong professional network early on is critical on any career path. Sure anyone can attend a networking event and chat up some recruiter at a booth but creating connections through an internship can be even more beneficial. Your supervisor and other employees can see your work in real life and see how you work with others. By interacting with professionals you make new connections and learn how to communicate in a professional environment. You never know who people might be connected with. Your internships might not have availability for a full-time position but your supervisor may put you in contact with someone who does and can give a reference for your work ethic. My internship in Ireland allowed me to put an Irish company on my resume and my supervisor gave me a reference for a future job in Ireland.  

 

photo credit: Helena Lopes

Internships are a great way to test the waters with what you want to do. You can develop your personal and professional all while investing in the foundation of your career. Utilize internships to try out different roles and find exactly what career you want to do.

in Life Abroad & Travel / Stint Stories / Uncategorized

Why Intern in Dublin?

By Lauren Ponsi

Main photo credit: Katherine McCormack

 

It was my final year of college, company recruiters were in and out of our lecture halls. Job fairs seemed more frequent but as I walked up and down the booths nothing seemed to pique my interest. What was I going to do after graduation, the most commonly asked question but in all honesty, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I was not ready to settle down into a boring 9-5 job but I also couldn’t afford to take a year to just travel.

 

photo credit: Scott Webb

Back Home With No Plans

After graduation, I headed back to my hometown with no sudden plans to do anything. My sister was heading off to England for a year study abroad and I was having major FOMO. I never had the opportunity to study abroad because an adviser told me it wasn’t feasible. So I didn’t even bother doing research which was my biggest mistake.

As I witnessed my sister have the time of her life abroad, I was stuck in my hometown working a job that really had no benefit to me. The year previously I had traveled to Ireland, and absolutely fell in love. So, one slow day at work I jokingly searched ‘how to move to Ireland’. I browsed some websites and found Stint. It seemed pretty cool but I thought I can’t afford this. so I saved the link and moved on.

 

photo credit: Toni Moeckel

It’s Easy With The Right Help

After a few more clicks to the website, I thought why not inquire about some more information. I thought an internship abroad might be the best thing for me. I get international experience and get to live in Ireland, a win-win!

As I had already been graduated from college, choosing to do an unpaid internship was a risky move. We always think of interns at the bottom of the totem pole doing work that no one else wants to do. I had 2 internships and a paying job under my belt, so getting coffee and filing papers would have been a waste of my time and money. The first chat with Stint made me confident that I would be in good hands during my time in Ireland.

 

photo credit: Justin Luebke

A Stree Free Experience

From my first chat, I made it clear that I wanted an internship where I could gain “real” experience. What I got was a tailored internship towards my skills and needs. Other programs had a set of internship placements with preselected companies, whereas with Stint it varies person to person.

An internship abroad is ultimately what you make of it. Stint does all the work from housing to your placement but you get to have a say. It was great to be included in the process. I ultimately choose to intern abroad because you can gain both work and life skills. It was Stints tailored placement that sold me. These skills have landed me back in Ireland on the gap year, so I can say my decision paid off.

in Life Abroad & Travel

Your Ireland To-Do List

By Lauren Ponsi

Photo credit: Photo by Madelon ????????

 

Your bags are packed, visa in hand and you’re off to start a new adventure in Ireland. Going to a new country can be a little bit scary and maybe even a little overwhelming. But, you’ve already made the biggest leap by taking a gap year.  Taking a gap year allows you to transition from tourist to local and after spending almost a year in Dublin, here are my tips and tricks to a year in Ireland

 

Dublin is an ever growing city with great diversity.  There is something always going on for everyone.

A big city with a small town feel

Dublin is an ever growing city with great diversity.  There is something always going on for everyone. Utilize social media to find out what’s happening within the city.  If you’re like me you want to find the Instagram worthy hot spots. I like to use the explore page on Instagram to find different places to go.  You can find great brunch spots, or those little coffee shops that wouldn’t pop up on your average tourist guides. Also, the events tab on Facebook is another great way to find what’s happening in Dublin.  This allows you to filter by where you’re living or even by your interests.

My favourite Instagram finds:

The Jar: Bottomless pizza on Sundays

Eat Yard: Food Truck like spot

Platform 61:  Insta worthy brunch

The Comedy Crunch: Free comedy show (with free ice cream) at the Stags Head

The George:  Amazing Drag shows

 

 

Photo credit: Adam Markon

‘Round the Island

With the whole country the same size of the state of Indiana, it’s not hard to get out of Dublin for a day.  Ireland is made of 26 counties and 6 counties part of Northern Ireland. Each county is unique to one another and you’ll find that such a small country is full of so much culture.  There are tons of day tours that will take you to the popular hotspots around the country. But, the public transportation around Ireland is also really simple to use. You can get to most places by bus or rail and sometimes just getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city is relaxing.

My Favourites:

Cork & Blarney Castle: Get the gift of gab and make sure to pick up some fresh finds at the English Market in Cork

Galway & The Cliffs: Travel along the Wild Atlantic way and see the breathtaking views of the west coast of Ireland

Belfast & Northern Ireland: layered with troubled past and Irish folklore. And fun for you fans of Game of Throne fans.

 

Photo credit: Cathal Mac an Bheatha

A Hop, jump and skip Away

Centrally located, Ireland makes traveling mainland Europe super convenient. Dublin is the home to budget airline RyanAir which you will have a love-hate relationship by the end of your gap year.  Utilize RyanAir’s frequent sales to travel on the weekends. With most destinations being no more than an hour to two away you can find yourself wandering the streets of a new city on a Saturday and be back in Dublin by Sunday afternoon.  At the beginning of your gap year create a list of all of your dream countries and cities to see, then list out your bank holidays (three day weekends). Bank Holidays are the perfect weekends to schedule that weekender away. I personally like to use flight and travel apps on my phone to set alerts on certain flights for bank holiday weekends.

My Favourites:

Skyscanner: Finds the cheapest flights available and allows price alerts

Hopper: Predicts the best time to book flights

EuropeWSA: plans guided and unguided weekend tours (great if you’re lazy at planning like me)

Now, this is only a peek into what to do on a gap year. Ultimately, the year is what you make it and the possibilities are endless.  Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something you possibly never imagined. Transform from being that lost tourist to that knowledgeable local.  

in All Things Ireland / Life Abroad & Travel
group outside Guinness

Stinter Chats

We recently caught up with medical intern Téa Sue and asked her to tell us about her experience abroad. Téa interned at the pediatric hospital in Dublin. Outside of her internship, it seemed Téa had an awesome time traveling Ireland, making friends and exploring the city. So with further adieu, over to Téa…

Explain your internship in a nutshell

My internship was honestly unlike anything I had ever expected. I was excited but as the date got closer I got anxious and started to second guess my decision to go away. However, being and Ireland with the people I was with and getting to go to work everyday was amazing. I worked at one of the paediatric hospitals and the amount of new things I was exposed to was surreal. Not only was I exposed to many new things, but I also got to work with professionals in the field I would love to work in. How welcoming, informative and kind they all were really focused me in more on what I would like to pursue in the future.

 

How welcoming, informative and kind they all were really focused me in more on what I would like to pursue in the future.

What have you learned from your internship?

Academically, I have expanded on all my previous knowledge, not only by going into more detail about various concepts but also by being able to really understand everything I had learned by applying it to real practice. Professionally, I was fortunate enough to see the day to day life of a doctor, their schedules and how much work goes into what they do. 
(Téa exploring Dublin with some fellow Stinters)

What has been your favorite aspects of Dublin

I loved living with the people in the house and exploring all over Dublin. The atmosphere was brilliant, I loved how it was always lively and how there was always somewhere to go. Everything was within walking distance especially the historic buildings. I loved how much it contrasted with the city I grew up in. It really showed me the diversity that exists from country to country.
(Friends for life- Téa and Clare biking in Galway)


What has Stint helped you with?

Stint was a great welcome and support system throughout. I am very thankful for the internship placement I got. It was something I always imagined but knew I wouldn’t be able to get at home.


Your advice to anyone considering an experience abroad?

My advice would be to just go for it. Everyone has apprehensions, everyone’s in the same position. But speaking from my experience and others I know who have been abroad, everyone loves it and marks it as one of those experiences that really directs their future. 
in Life Abroad & Travel / Stint Stories

Tips & Bits In A New City

Photo credit: Daryan Shamkhali

By Lauren Mhyra

 

So you’ve taken the leap to head abroad, new country, new city, fresh start! It’s exciting but can be nerve-racking to head somewhere with a clean slate.  Much like heading off to college for the first time there are those things you wish you knew from the start. So, here are my tips and bits for starting life in a new city.

Don’t expect things

My biggest recommendation is to not set expectations for yourself. You probably have done countless hours of research and scrolled through hundreds of Instagram pages and have a must-do-list. If you block out every minute of your stay you’re likely to miss out on the hidden gems you had no clue about. You’re going to be integrated with others in a similar situation as you as well as locals so you’re going to get tons of suggestions that weren’t necessarily on the ‘Top 10 must do in Dublin’ list.  Go with the flow, try out suggestions from colleagues and talk to your housemates about their interests.

 

My rule of thumb is if I can get it at home, I tend to pass on it.

 

Additionally, mentioning expectations, completely forgo any notions about home. Dublin is a modern and diverse city. There’s going to be tons of the same things that you can find back home. But you will come to find out that your regular order from Starbucks doesn’t exist here. You’ll be in a for a BIG let down if you are constantly comparing things from back home. My rule of thumb is if I can get it at home, I tend to pass on it.

 

Get the touristy bits out of the way first

Photo credit: Trevor Cole

 

The first few days you’ll likely have some free time. Do those big-ticket tourist items first to check them off so when people ask, you can say you’ve done it.  If you make friends with locals, they are likely not going to want to do the leprechaun museum with you. This also opens up your schedule to do other things when you begin to meet people. This is also a great way to learn your new city’s history and culture so you’re well immersed when you make friends with locals. When people are talking certain historical events, you’ll understand and you can point out an awful Guinness pour.

 

Learn the public transit system

Photo credit: Nico Baum

 

Learning to use the public transportation system is going to save you so much time and make your life easier when it’s down pouring rain. I was intimidated by the bus and afraid that I would look ‘stupid’ not knowing what to do. For 6 weeks I walked everywhere and if I couldn’t walk I said forget it.  I could have slept in a little more in the mornings and think about all of the things I was missing out because it was ‘too far’. Don’t let this happen to you, it might take a try or two to get it right but after a few rides, you’ll be able to do it in your sleep.

 

It’s okay to do things alone

Photo credit: Milan Popovic

You’ve already taken the leap to move to a country on your own. Don’t be afraid to go do the things you want to do regardless of if there’s someone to do it with. There are many ways to find events happening within Dublin, utilize them! Going off on your own allows you to step out of your comfort zone. You’re not shielded by the comfort of familiarity.

 

The best stories are found in the pages of a passport!

 

Travel Travel Travel

Photo credit: Paolo Nicolello

You’re living in a country that is accessible to so many wonderful places. You could have stayed home and watched Netflix in bed for free, why come do it in a foreign country? Whether you take a bus to the next town over or you splurge on that €50 Ryanair flight, just go somewhere. I like to head somewhere new at least once a month. The best stories are found in the pages of a passport!

 

If travel planning on your own feels overwhelming, you could always consider traveling through a program. At Stint Ireland, we provide experiences for those wishing to intern abroad, take a gap year or a combined experience. Our enquiry form is non-committal and we aim to ensure you are supplied with all the right information that you will need to make that travel dream a reality.  

in Life Abroad & Travel / Resources & Tips
group working at a laptop

An Internship Abroad

Blog by Lauren Mhyra (Photo Credit: Štefan Štefančík)

 

So you’re thinking of doing an Internship Abroad, whether it is a program requirement or you need a valid excuse to live your European dream while padding out that resume. An Internship abroad comes with so many more great benefits than just ticking off a requirement or some skill on a resume.

 

Here’s what they don’t tell you about interning abroad.

 

Photo credit: Kevin Lee

It’s going to be challenging

An internship is essentially a peek into what working full time in your respective field is like. So you’re going to be doing things you may have never done before, be ready to take whatever comes at you and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  The company knows you’re coming in with minimal skills and experience they’re not going to expect you to do brain surgery on the first day. But they also know you’re there to learn so expect to do things you might know how to do. No question is stupid, and you’re supervisors are going to understand if you don’t quite know how to do something. When in doubt, ask about it!

 

Ultimately this is your internship, make the most out of it.

 

Stint Ireland does an amazing job of placing you into an internship where they see you thriving the most. They take into account what your major is, what careers you’re thinking about and create a placement that works for you. Use this to your advantage, because, learning about an international company and forming relationships is just as important as the tasks you perform. Ultimately this is your internship, make the most out of it.

 

Photo credit: Aaron Kato

 

Adjusting to Cultural differences  

Many people say going to another country, you’re going to experience a culture shock. This is absolutely true, but they don’t say what aspects. When you intern abroad you’re going to live and socialize with people from all over. People are going to cook different food and have different habits than you’re not used to. But when you start your internship, you are going to be the different one, your colleagues are going to ask questions about your culture and the things you do. You’re going to notice your idiosyncracies more when you’re the so-called foreigner. Your colleagues might think something you say or do is funny but don’t take it personally, it’s new them too! (My Irish housemates laugh every time I say ‘awwh man’ after a small problem and I never realized I did that myself).

 

Accept the difference and you’ll come to find out that learning these things is an added bonus to the job title on a resume.

 

The work culture is probably going to be the biggest thing to adjust to, though I think this is the best way to assimilate to Irish culture. You’re going to find yourself learning the everyday differences in life. Like, how in Ireland trash cans are called bins, taking several tea breaks is acceptable and even going for an after-work pint with your boss is normal. Accept the difference and you’ll come to find out that learning these things is an added bonus to the job title on a resume.

 

Photo credit: Annie Spratt

 

Real life experiences

 

When you go back home and eventually have to explain what skills and experience you gained from your internship, you’ll, of course, share the work you did daily but there is so much more to the daily work. You could have easily learned to write that press release at the PR firm in your hometown, but along with this skill you put that you learned the brand of an international organization all while adjusting to life in a foreign country. When spending two to three months working in a foreign country, you’re going to gain personal skills you never even thought you needed.  From from living with unfamiliar people to navigating public transportation, you can share how all of the skills you gained from such tasks.

 

An internship abroad offers an opportunity for both personal and professional growth. Your boundaries are going to be tested and challenged in a 24 hours a day 7 days a week setting while you are abroad. You will develop a load of soft skills such as networking and communicating that will be beneficial in and out of the workplace that you might not get in an internship in your hometown. All while experiencing the greatness and beauty of Ireland.

 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our team to hear more about Interning Abroad in Dublin.

in Resources & Tips

The Gap Year Balance

Blog by Lauren Ponsi (picture credit: JESHOOTS.COM)

 

The working holiday visa comes with immense benefits compared to regular travel. You get 365 days of living AND working in Ireland all while having fun, making memories diving into Irish culture.  In order to survive your working holiday, you have to find that that work-play balance that is ideal to you.

 

Work balance

Most likely the first thing you’re going to do once you land in Ireland is start job hunting. Think about what your goals and budget are.  For me, I registered with a few employment agencies, started off with temporary job assignments. This put me at working 35-40 hours a week Monday through Friday. This fit my goals and budget because I made enough money to pay rent, travel every so often as well as go experience the Dublin social life.  I had weekends off to travel, go out for the occasional Tuesday night trad session and even enjoyed take away a few times a week. This is what worked for my lifestyle within reason, I was able to gain work experience whilst still having fun.

 

I was able to gain work experience whilst still having fun.

 

FYI: If you know you hate mornings and sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day will drive you crazy, then temp jobs won’t be your thing. Dublin is such a diverse city, there are all kinds of jobs you can apply for. You don’t want your gap year ruined because you’re at a job that is not on par with your expectations.

 

Photo credit:  Angela Compagnone

 

 

Ballin on a Budget

Along with your gap year expectations, comes the price tag. When you’re thinking about the lifestyle you enjoy and the goals you want to accomplish in the year think about how much things cost.  Create a budget for yourself, what are the things that you can’t live without, how much do you need to save for travel and what are those extras you can forgo. Plan out the trips you want to take in advance, this way you can pay a little at a time or put extra cash away each paycheck. Also, Ireland likes to give everyone a little 3 day weekend every now and then called bank holidays. Utilize these to your advantage because it’s a free paid day off in most Monday to Friday jobs.   

 

Budgets are a good habit to get into, and it helps you become aware of how you’re spending your money. If I want to do more traveling I will maybe limit my take away and cook more, or skip out on that Wednesday after work drinks event. And that is a great benefit to taking a gap year, you don’t necessarily have to be go-go-go all the time. It’s fine to take a weekend off to save a little extra for that beach trip next bank holiday weekend.

 

Photo credit: Jess Watters

 

 

Work Hard Play Harder

So we all aren’t going on a gap year to strictly work, of course,  we want to meet new people and jump right into the Irish culture. The Stint Gap Year Program is a great way to kick-start your year in Ireland.  Before you even land in the country you’re already being linked with people on the same path with their Facebook community. Here you get the chance to make friends and find those who are similar interests as you.  With Stint, you’re never alone and there will always be someone who would be interested in doing stuff with you.

 

Along with Stint, there are so many social applications such as MeetUp, GirlCrew and the Facebook Events section are a few of my favorites because it allows me to filter by interests. You can find weekly hiking groups or what events are going on that week in the community and even get involved with some locals.

 

Photo credit: Kinga Cichewicz

 

A working holiday gives you the freedom and flexibility to grow into a new culture. You create an everyday life in a new country and can find yourself amongst the locals. Find the balance the perfect balance of travel, work, and friends to create the best year ever. Interested in hearing more about The Gap Year Program? Fill out a super-short form and we will give you all the infomation you need. 

in All Things Ireland / Life Abroad & Travel