Manuel's unforgettable Education Internship in Dublin

I completed my internship abroad as part of my Master's in Education. Typically, it is recommended to begin planning for a semester abroad at least a year in advance. However, since I had already completed all other requirements for my Master's degree, I looked for quicker alternatives online. Ireland became an obvious choice because it is part of the EU, meaning Erasmus funding for students is available without much bureaucratic hassle. After some research, I came across StudentsGoAbroad, a service provider that helps students find internship placements.

After an initial contact, a free consultation took place. During this conversation, my options for an internship abroad were explained. Initially, I had considered an internship as a Language Assistant at a school in Ireland, but this provider did not offer such positions. Instead, they offered me a position as an Education Assistant at an NGO in Dublin. This NGO works in the fields of Circular Economy and Sustainability and offers workshops on these topics to schools in the Dublin area. This seemed like a good alternative to a traditional school internship, so I decided to go with it. It only took a week for me to receive confirmation from the internship provider. From that point, the accommodation and further details were arranged by a partner organization in Ireland.

My flight arrived on a Saturday evening in Dublin. I reached my host family’s house around 8:00 PM and was quite exhausted. My host mother showed me my room, and we chatted for a while in the kitchen. She told me a lot about her family and the daily routines in their household. The information about her family was particularly interesting to me, as until that point, I only had the address and a phone number. I was very lucky with my host family. She was very kind and accommodating, and her two daughters, aged 20 and 25, were also very friendly.

My room was clean and cozy, so I immediately felt comfortable there. Since I arrived on a Saturday evening and my internship didn't start until Monday, I used Sunday to explore Dublin and visit a few sights. I was also able to go grocery shopping, as most stores in Ireland are open on Sundays. Dublin is a beautiful city with a perfect blend of historic and modern architecture.

On my first day, I noticed that the Irish are more open and much more interested in small talk with strangers compared to Germans. One older man approached me as I was waiting for a bus and asked me how I was doing and what I was doing in Dublin. Once he found out that I was not from Ireland, he asked where I was from, why I was here, how long I would stay, and we had a really nice conversation. I had similar interactions during my stay, which I always found very pleasant.

y internship was unpaid and full-time. I worked from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, at the internship organization, in the Education Department. My tasks included setting up the workshop room (arranging chairs and tables), preparing materials, and assisting during the workshops. At first, I only supported the students during the activity phase, but later I also led parts of the workshops myself, with my colleagues observing and assisting when needed. The work environment was exceptional, and I was warmly welcomed.

The daily lunch break was one hour long, usually spent with colleagues in the break room, which was a great opportunity to network and meet staff from other departments. When no workshops were scheduled, we used the time to work on a new project focusing on the 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs), set to start in March 2025. This project is being conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and has received substantial funding. I felt very positive about being able to work on such a prestigious project as an intern. While working on the SDG project, I also realized how flat the hierarchies were at the organization. Even as an intern, I was involved in the development of workshops, and in one case, my department head even changed a part of a workshop he had developed after I made a suggestion for improvement.

Overall, my internship abroad was a wonderful and enriching experience. I had a warm and welcoming host family, got to know the incredibly friendly and open Irish people, and really enjoyed my work placement.

On a personal level, it was a big step forward. As someone who hasn’t traveled much, the idea of going to a completely new country alone and working there was intimidating at first. But I came out of it stronger, having learned that I can adapt, make friends, and handle everyday life even in unfamiliar settings. Spending an extended period in another culture was eye-opening. It helped me appreciate different ways of life and question things I had always considered "normal." I highly recommend taking the opportunity to go abroad if you get the chance!