Meredith Hicks examines the benefits and pitfalls of internships that are bringing more young people from abroad to Ireland in search of new opportunities...
Like it or not, finding an internship is no longer a choice but a prerequisite for undergrad and post-grads today. In this present age of global economic woes, many companies are seeking interns as another way to lower costs, as well as provide work experience for many students and youths. And to help combat competition, more young people are looking for creative ways to spice up their CVs in order to attract future employers.
One only has to look at figures posted on the Central Statistics Office to see that emigration is steadily on the rise as Irish youths travel and move abroad in search of job prospects. So it may seem a bit ironic that people from other countries come to Ireland for work and internships.
There is an obvious benefit for non-English speakers to come over as they can improve their English, but others choose Ireland simply because they are keen about Irish history and culture.
“I love anything that has to do with Ireland and I was curious to know more, even as a little girl,” says Eda Halis, 22, from Izmir in Turkey. “When I read about the Erasmus internship at my university [in Istanbul], I knew that I wanted to try to find a way to get to Ireland for my internship.”
The EU-backed Erasmus Programme sees students throughout Europe placed into work settings that train them in the particular field they are studying at university. With more than 250,000 students living and working abroad each year, Erasmus is arguably considered one of the most well known institutions of its kind.
Erasmus students like Halis allowed to intern in their country of choice for three months. “When I finish, I will go back to university in Istanbul,” she says. “I am really glad that I had this experience to train in Ireland. I think that the media sector is bigger in Turkey, but the working conditions are much better over here.”
Whether independently searched or through a programme, for some people the task of finding a placement may seem daunting. How does one pick the right place?
One website, Interns Anonymous, provides an outlet for critique, bad experiences, and/or revenge for some unlucky individuals. “I looked and read a lot online, but I wasn’t exactly sure who to contact at first,” says 22-year-old Pilar Huertes from Malaga in Spain. “I just decided to send as many emails as I could. I think I contacted at least 50 law firms asking to do an internship for their company. Three of them said yes and I just picked up one of them.”
Fortunately Huertes’ work experience has been positive. “In my firm there is one other intern, who is Irish and just did the bar exams to become a solicitor. We get a lot of practical work, and I feel that I have learned so much in such a short time.”
Working experience in a place one enjoys is no doubt rewarding, and the newness of living abroad can be an added bonus for most.
“It was my first trip out of Turkey, so I was obviously a bit nervous,” Halis recalls. “But as soon as I arrived in Dublin I didn’t feel like a stranger. I just felt very comfortable here. The people are so kind and hospitable, and I enjoy my job. I am very lucky.”
Huertes gives one important bit of advice to anyone planning on spending time in Ireland: “Have fun, but be sure to bring or buy an umbrella!”
Simple and sound as it is, her advice is also somewhat revealing. It shows how even in hard economic times like these, there will always be many who strive to achieve, despite what comes.
Necessity, mixed with determination, with a dash of youthful optimism may be what drives some to leave home to seek greener pastures, but these happen to be the same ingredients that bring others to the Emerald Isle.
