Our Dual Program: Gap Year + Internship

Would you like a side of “boost your career” with your year of adventure?

Gap years are typically a year-long experience designed to facilitate self-discovery and cultural immersion.

The foundation of our gap year program is the working holiday visa, which allows folks who’ve recently graduated from college to live and travel in Ireland for up to 12 months for Americans (and 24 months for Canadians).

Check out our gap year page for a more detailed description of the experience.

An internship abroad is exactly what it sounds like. Our program sets up our participants with a tailored internship placement relevant to their career aspirations as well as housing and local support, from pre-arrival to their return home.

Check out our intern abroad page for more info.

Gap year? Intern abroad? Please explain...

What’s the difference between a gap year & internship abroad?

And which one is right for me?

Both programs are spectacular international experiences. However, they have quite different reputations.

The stereotype of the gap year is that its a year spent gallivanting around making your friends back home jealous on Instagram.

Internships abroad are seen as the more serious option. There’s a practical benefit and is often seen as more palatable and “justifiable.”

Sure, there’s a grain of truth in each of those statements. But the power of a gap year in helping people learn and grow is understated. And it’s a huge myth that a gap year might “set you back.” Life isn’t a race, after all. And, international experiences can make for a huge boost to your job prospects as it will set you apart from the rest of the field.

As for internships abroad, the majority of applicants are juniors and seniors in college or recent graduates (which corresponds with when people look for internship in general).

If your heart points you towards a gap year, but your head is telling you that an internship is more realistic…

We have a solution for you: our Dual program.

Dual Program Pricing

8 Week Program

5695
  • An internship tailored around your goals & experience
  • 2 months housing (shared room)*
  • Travel/Medical Insurance
  • Airport pick-up & transfer to your Stint housing
  • Orientation pack including travel card & goodies
  • Orientation & tour of Dublin
  • Stint networking & social events
  • Ongoing support sessions from Dublin team
  • 24 hour emergency contact
  • €200 housing deposit not included

12 Week Program

5995
  • An internship tailored around your goals & experience
  • 3 months housing (shared room)*
  • Travel/medical insurance
  • Airport pick-up & transfer to your Stint housing
  • Orientation pack including travel card & goodies
  • Orientation & tour of Dublin
  • Stint networking & social events
  • Ongoing support sessions from Dublin team
  • 24 hour emergency contact
  • €200 housing deposit not included

* Limited number of single rooms available at additional cost. Chat to the Stint team for more information.

Dual Program Dates

8 Week Program

Start DateInitial Move Out**
8th January 20209th March 2020
11th March 202011th May 2020
12th August 202012th October 2020
9th September 20209th November 2020
14th October 202014th December 2020

12 Week Program

Start DateInitial Move Out**
19th February 202018th May 2020
29th April 202027th July 2020
29th July 202026th October 2020
26th August 202023rd November 2020

** Option to extend your tenancy at a rate of €900 per 4 weeks.

The “have your cake and eat it too” option!

Our Dual Program will upgrade your resumé AND allow you the time to travel, grow, learn and live.

Just like the gap year program, you’ll enter the country on a working holiday visa, which allows you to stay in Ireland for up to 12 months for American citizens and 24 months for Canadians. We’ll guide you through the whole process of applying for the visa with your closest Consulate General of Ireland.

The first three months of your gap year will be devoted to your tailored internship placement—we’ll work with you before your arrival to find the right opportunity that matches your goals and aspirations.

Once your internship ends, we will connect you with two of our partner employment agencies so that your transition from internship to a working holiday is as seamless as possible.

Click here for information about our dates, eligibility, and pricing.

About Stint Ireland’s Dual Program

You have questions.

And, we’re happy to help!

For sure! Our dual program lets you spend up to 12 months (or 24 months if you’re Canadian) on the working holiday visa living and working in Ireland, which allows you to fund your year abroad and travels. For the first 8 or 12 weeks of your time in Dublin we will set you up on an (unpaid) internship to allow you to advance your career and build your professional network in Dublin.

That’s hard to say! We have had a lot of the participants on our dual program get hired by their company after their internship has finished… But not everyone. If nothing else, your time in the company will provide you with an opportunity to network within your chosen field in Ireland, as well as have a local reference if you end up looking for other work.

It depends on the industry. Minimum wage is €9.80/hr. Most wages in the service and retail industries will start from there. Administrative work can range from €11-16/hr. Other professional industries will have competitive salaries depending on the job in question.

There are 10 countries in the world  who’s governments have working holiday visa agreements with Ireland. We primarly work with individuals from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Each country has slightly different requirements and they can be found through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Of course if you hold an EU passport then you are also eligible.

Details on prices, dates and more can be found on this page.

  • Guidance through your working holiday visa authorization process.
  • An internship placement tailored around your goals and experience.
  • Employment assistance through our partner Lex Consultancy, a locally based recruitment agency who works with Stint participants and is familiar with your specialized needs.
  • Assistance with registering with immigration, public services, the tax office, as well as opening a bank account.
  • 12-month medical and travel insurance (value of $455 USD)
  • 8-week housing placement in one of our Stint Houses (or 12 weeks for those that choose to intern for 12 weeks)
  • On-the-ground Program Support. (We’re based in Dublin!)
  • Airport transfer from Dublin airport to your Stint accommodation.
  • An orientation pack including a local travel card, care package, and swag.
  • An orientation session including a tour of Dublin with one of our local partners.
  • Resources and support sessions with our staff.
  • Access to our Stint community including regular social events and trips.
  • 24-hour emergency contact.

For a complete list of frequently asked questions, head over to our FAQs page.