AIFS Abroad: Intern Abroad in Ireland

Interning in Galway was the best thing I ever chose to do! As a social work major I never thought I would have the opportunity to work abroad because social issues are different based on countries and regions. However, AIFS was able to guarantee a position for me in a Domestic Abuse Service through COPE Galway where I was able to use my knowledge from the U.S to help those in need in Ireland. There was not a social worker in the service, so I was able to bring a different perspective that worked really well in the environment. Even though our two countries have differences I was able to use those to my advantage and gain a wonderful experience working abroad that I can take with me in my future practice. If you are thinking about Interning but not sure that it will work with your major, don't worry! The staff is willing to work with you and find a program that fits you best, but if Galway is on your mind they have SO many options and I know you will find your fit.

Best of luck!

Where do I even begin?! Galway is, hands down, my favorite place ever! The city isn't crazy & chaotic, like Dublin & London, but still exciting, beautiful & lively. People are performing music all over the streets all hours of the day, which adds a perfectly authentic vibe. The pubs are so much fun and the shops are cute to shop around in. The Tiny Traders Village on the weekends was also great if you're like me & enjoy buying from local crafters! The nightlife is great! There's not many clubs, but the pubs are amazing and so much fun anyway, so I didn't mind missing out on clubs. Additionally, the locals are some of the kindest & most welcoming people ever! I never had a single bad interaction with anyone!

Galway's location advisor, Karen, is also amazing! She is so fun to hang out with, and so helpful all of the time. There's nothing you can't talk to her about. She is so welcoming & loving, which really helped with my homesickness.

I was also able to do traveling on the weekends around the day trips Karen planned for us (Aran Islands & Connemara)! I was able to solo travel to London & the Cliffs of Moher, as well as going on group trips to Edinburgh, Scotland & Nantes, France. While the distance to a nearby airport isn't the best, it really isn't that big of a deal & honestly adds to the experience.

I would recommend Galway to absolutely anyone. If you want a TRUE Irish experience, choose Galway! I had the best summer of my life here, and I'm so sad it went by so fast! However, I fully intend to come back upon finishing my degree to turn Galway into my permanent home. :)

PS - when you come here, go to Salthill beach & jump off the diving board!! So much fun!

Studying abroad in Galway was the best experience of my life. If you are looking for a beautiful, charming and fun city to live in, you've found it in Galway. This city is now my favorite place in the world and I tell everyone I meet that they have to go at some point in their lives.
The program itself was such a great experience and helped me grow both professionally and personally. The internship I was placed into was perfect for what I needed I learned so much from my supervisor. Additionally, the friends and connections I made while in Galway will last a lifetime.

Also, the location coordinator, Karen is the best and will make your experience abroad endlessly better.

I can't imagine going anywhere else! Galway is truely such a unique and amazing city with so many places to go and things to see. I really think that the small town vibe of the city made me love it even more as I really knew my way around the city after the first couple of weeks. My program also had around 20 people, which meant that we all got to know each other very well and we all became close friends. I also loved my internship placement and thought it was a perfect fit for what I was looking for!

I absolutely loved my experience in Galway! It's such a unique place to study abroad in and I am so grateful I chose this location. My internship placement was so amazing and I was excited to go to work everyday. Exploring the city with other interns in the program was so much fun and the city is so welcoming and safe. The group is usually smaller here which helped me create close relationships with the other students. I cannot recommend this location and program enough. The program staff, Karen, is awesome! I promise you will love it here!

If you are looking for a sign to intern abroad in Galway, this is it! Galway is such a quaint city that I felt right at home from the very first day. It is a large enough city that you will still find new things every time you go into town but not too big to where you feel overlooked. The friendships I made will last a lifetime which is one of my favorite parts looking back on my time in Ireland. Some of those connections were with my coworkers at the nursing home I interned for which was full of joy and allowed me to gain loads of experience to take back with me to my nursing program. This entire experience was easily one of the best decisions I could have made for professional growth as well as personal growth!

This has been an incredible summer in Galway! I’m glad Global Experiences had an internship program where I could work abroad while getting credit for my university. My internship placement was really fun & I learned a lot throughout my entire time. The on-site program advisor was wonderful & super helpful! The city of Galway is a great spot if you’re looking for a smaller city vibe. It’s beautiful, quaint, & there’s lots to do here! The accommodations were great as we had our own bedroom & bathroom with a shared kitchen area. It was amazing meeting all of the other interns & we all became friends fast. It was an experience I’ll never forget! I’m glad I chose Galway!

I had no idea what to expect from this experience going in. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to go abroad and get experience that would help me in the future. Global Experiences was great helping me figure out my ideal location and ideal placement. I placed with a wonderful company. It was filled with the most kind and welcoming staff. I have never felt so comfortable and they took my thoughts and suggestions into consideration. Our point of contact here was absolutely wonderful. Any issue we had she was their to help. Anything we needed she was there to listen. Galway it's self is a charming city. It is full of history, great night life, and so many places to visit on the weekends. The eyre square is full of pubs, shops, and historical sights to see. A market happens every weekend which has so many artistic peices and food trucks. The locals are so nice to talk to and very proud of where they come from rightfully so! They will happily give you directions to the craic happening in town. They also have so many festivals it's hard not to find somthing happening in town! Lastly the accommodations are a quick bus ride into town. Even though you share a common area you have your own spacious room and bathroom. You share the common area with other GE interns. As for my experience I have made so many new friends. The other interns here are all so friendly, since we all are in the same boat we easily bonded over our interships and as time went on we become amazing friends. Overall if you are looking for a location that doesn't feel like a big city, has a big personality, and holds the most lovely people and experiences come to Galway!!!