Ireland program provides internship opportunities

Many Notre Dame students are are all too familiar with the arduous search that is finding a summer internship. With that experience in mind, Irish Internship Program offers students a unique and challenging opportunity of not just an internship experience but a chance to live abroad in a country many on campus hold dear: Ireland.

Senior Megan Ball, who participated in the Irish Internship Program last summer, said the program lasts for eight to 10 weeks and offers a wide variety of internship opportunities for students. The program is made possible by the O’Connell House, Notre Dame’s study abroad headquarters in Dublin.

“It encompasses around 50 internship opportunities in various sectors from education to finance to research to the arts,” Ball said. “The program also incorporates, in addition to valuable work experience, a cultural enrichment program that exposes participants to all aspects of Irish culture through trips, and a professional development series.”

Ciarán Pollard, intern coordinator for the program, said internship placements for 2016 include the Bank of Ireland, Abbey Theatre, Department of Foreign Affairs-Press Section and the Irish Cancer Society.

Ball said her favorite part of the program was the immersion experience of living and working in Ireland.

“The best part of program is certainly the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the world of another culture,” Ball said. “While studying abroad is a truly great experience, to live and work in a city brings things into a whole new perspective.

“You are a part of the hustle and bustle of a busy work day,” she said. “The office culture differs, and the lifestyle of Irish working persons is slightly different than Americans, [and] experiencing these things allows you to re-enter the U.S. with a new perspective.”

Sarah Witt, a senior who also participated in the internship program last summer, said anyone can apply to the program. It is not restricted by interest or major but simply to students looking to spend time getting to know Ireland and Irish culture, Witt said.

Ball said the program is especially helpful for students in the College of Arts and Letters, who often struggle the most with finding summer opportunities.

“It is rare to find great internships in your particular field of study that are funded if you study in the liberal arts,” Ball said.

“But the Irish Interns program allows for a fully-funded opportunity that is not only fabulous for career and educational development, but is also super fun!”

Witt said she encourages all students to consider spending their summer in Ireland. The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, Witt said.

“This past summer was one of the best experiences of my life,” Witt said. “I strongly encourage you to apply. … You will have a wonderful summer going on adventures across Ireland, gaining work experience and making lifelong friendships.”