• What industry are you working in? What key skills and strengths are necessary to be successful in this industry? What competencies are necessary to be successful in this industry that may be unique to your host country? 

For my internship that is starting this week, I will be working at a company called WALK that facilitates providing resources and hands-on support to people with intellectual disabilities toward achieving personal and career goals. The program is classified as a rehabilitation center that allows each client to outline their specific needs and desires and work on something to accomplish together. 

This kind of work falls under the umbrella of social work and community program service. As an intern with this company, I will be tasked with working one-on-one with the program clients, building relationships with people from the community that we are serving as well as my co-workers, and being aware of the social and political context that is connected to the work that we are doing.  

To be successful in this field you must have great social characteristics, like the ability to listen, be open-minded, engage with people of all ages and backgrounds, understand the complexities of possible barriers that clients will face, and be a trustworthy person. This job, unlike many others, is a personal experience. I will be getting to know a lot of different people, in a very real way, within a short time frame. This experience can be nerve-racking for the people who I will be working with, they may be new to this kind of program, or it may be their first time placing emphasis on the goal that they have set for themselves. So, it is important that I help to make them comfortable and address any of their worries head on. I look forward to using my skills as a strong listener and advocator, to help my clients in any way that I can.  

Inherently, this kind of role requires an understanding of flexibility and adjusting. I must be proficient in problem solving and quick thinking in a way that not all jobs demand. The personal nature of this internship indicates that flexibility is key, because when you are working with people, their needs decide what is possible or not. There will be days that we cannot move forward with a goal that was set, and that is okay. Knowing how to adjust is a skill that will take me far in this role.  

One thing I have noticed so far about the people that I have met in Ireland, is that they are inherently friendly and helpful people. I don’t believe that the U.S. has the same reputation all the time. Unfortunately, there is more stereotyping done, and success is more of a selfish goal than one that would be completed as a team. I believe that a great positive of interning here in Ireland will be getting more accustomed to teamwork and collaboration. It is okay to ask for help and work together; it is not a sign of weakness and can instead greatly improve your experience.  

Overall, I had a great first week here in Dublin. I got to spend some time exploring the city and getting to know my roommates. We have gone out for great meals and shopping in the City Centre, walked around St. Stephen’s Green and gotten the hang of taking TFI. The UCD campus is beautiful and it is nice to have a quiet home base to stay when we are not out running around.

With our program, we had orientation and activities this week. We enjoyed campus tours and information sessions. And then had some fun. On Wednesday we were taken to a Gaelic club to learn about the significant cultural context of Gaelic sports like: hurling, handball and Gaelic football and afterward we were even taught how to play each game. On Friday we all boarded a tour bus to be taken to Glendalough and Kilkenny where we walked through beautiful green forests, saw lakes and roaming animals, as well as old towers and walked through a grand castle. We had a great time and loved getting to see these lovely towns. That night we headed back into the City Centre for a delicious dinner of dumplings and noodles.

On Saturday, my roommates and I got up early and headed to the train station to catch the Dart to Howth. We got to walk the cliff path through this gorgeous town on the coast, overlooking the water and a beautiful lighthouse. We saw gorgeous greenery and colorful flowers growing out of the cliffs. We got lunch at a seafood restaurant and had a nice time talking and resting our feet after a long day of walking and sight-seeing. When we were finished eating we hung out with the Seals at the Harbour and walked around town to get some snacks before getting back on the train to go home.

It has been a great first week and introduction to Ireland so far. I am very excited to get started with the internship this week.