Ireland Dublin Internship
Spring 2025

Many people think of Ireland simply as an English-speaking country, where everyone is very friendly and uses expressions like “top o’ the morning,” but Irish people speak a uniquely modified English. From Belfast in County Antrim to the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, there are many different regional accents in this small island of seven million people. To begin to familiarize yourself with Ireland, check out some of the following resources:

History

• A Brief History of Ireland – Living in Ireland
• “Tellin’ It Like It Was” – An Irish History Podcast
• History of Dublin – Dublin.ie

Geography

• Geography of Ireland – World Atlas
• Geographical Society of Ireland

Politics

• Ireland Government – Citizens Information Board
• Irish Times – Politics
• RTÉ Ireland -National Broadcaster (Television, Radio & Online)
• Political System & Voting – Living in Ireland

Other Ireland Resources

• Ireland – CIA World Factbook
• Education in Ireland – Living in Ireland

To familiarize yourself with current events, we recommend that you read an Irish daily newspaper such as The Irish Times (either on-line or from the library) in the weeks before your departure for Ireland. Let’s Go Ireland lists hostels, attractions, hours of operation, transportation, Irish history, as well as places to visit in neighboring countries. This and other guides written with the student traveler in mind are wonderful resources when planning your weekend excursions. There are many travel guides for Ireland and Europe available for loan at the BU Study Abroad Dublin office.

• Irish Times Newspaper
• The Event Guide (Concerts, Films, Festivals)
• Visit Dublin (Official Dublin Tourism site)
  
• The Lonely Planet—Dublin
• Entertainment in Ireland (Features cinema listings and new release movie reviews, TV and radio listings, concerts and gigs and other event information.)
• Time Out Dublin

Readings

• The Commitments by Roddy Doyle – Also available on DVD. A classic look at Dublin Life in early 1990s.
• Dubliners by James Joyce – Classic collection of stories focused on Dublin.
• McCarthy’s Bar by Pete McCarthy – Determined to visit every pub with his surname in the title, McCarthy offers a humorous look at Irish country life, colorful locals, and quirky attractions.
• Brooklyn by Colm Tóibin – The movie based on this novel is also recommended.
• A Sort of Homecoming by Robert Cremins – A modern novel about a twenty-something who returns to Dublin after becoming marginally famous.
• Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks – Author hitchhikes around Ireland with a refrigerator to win a bet.
• Fork in the Road by Denis Hamill – An intense story about an Irish-American filmmaker doing research for a screenplay in Dublin.

The Irish diet does tend to consist of more staple foods such as meats and starches. However, as of late the diversity of food options in Ireland (and particularly in Dublin) allows for almost any diet to be accommodated in the city. Check out some of the resources below for food and dining customs information:

• Tips on Dining in Ireland – Frommers
• Everyday Eating Customs in Ireland – USA Today
• Restaurants – Visit Dublin
• Just-Eat App – Order takeaway from local Irish restaurants

Particularly, if students have accommodations for a specific diet, we have the following suggested websites to review:

• Best Gluten Free Restaurants
• Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants 
• Halal Food Restaurants
• Kosher Food Restaurants

All information on housing is contained within the Highlight Thomas Street Student Accommodation.

Dress is not largely different in Ireland than in the US, but you will find that the weather does impact how people are styled. Heavier fabrics such as wool are common in Ireland. Also, many Irish tend to wear simple, neat-looking clothing for everyday work and lifestyle. Stick to basic colors and patterns to blend in! It is also worth noting that you should bring some rain gear such as a rain jacket and rain boots, as it tends to drizzle and rain in Ireland quite a bit throughout the year.

• What to Wear in Ireland – Conde Nast Traveler
• What to Wear in Dublin

The Irish have a colorful language all their own. Here are a few examples:

American                                                    Irish

apartment                                                    flat
cookie                                                           biscuit/bicky
potato chips                                                crisps
french fries                                                  chips
drugstore/pharmacy                                 chemist
eraser                                                           rubber
bathroom                                                     loo, toilet
line                                                                queue
elevator                                                         lift
sweater                                                         jumper
TV                                                                  telly
DVD                                                              video
stove                                                              cooker
vacuum cleaner                                           hoover
cabinet                                                          press
thing/item                                                    yoke
professor                                                      lecturer
he/him                                                          yer man
she/her                                                         yer woman
eggplant                                                       aubergine
zucchini                                                        courgette
subs/hoagies                                               filled rolls
cell phone                                                    mobile
City Centre                                                  An Lár
Dublin                                                          Baile átha Cliath
road                                                               bóthar
street                                                             sráid
lane                                                                lána
semi-truck                                                    lorry
fun                                                                 craic
“What’s up?”                                              “What’s the story?”
“That’ so funny!”                                       “That’s gas!”

Students take their classes at Dublin City University (DCU). DCU has five campuses on the north side of Dublin, and DIP students take their classes on the All Hallows or St. Pat’s campuses. The journey from housing to class takes around 45 minutes. You will take the bus for this journey.

The Housing has an in-house gym, large common room, and study room.

Dublin Internship students can buy their books at one of the many bookstores in Dublin, such as the famous Hodges Figgis. There are also a number of textbooks available for loan in the BU Dublin Library.

Students on the Dublin Internship Program may enjoy included excursions to areas such as Glendalough. Some courses will also incorporate field trips into their classes to historical sites around Dublin and attendance at local theater performances.

First Weeks on the Job
Workplace culture, habits, and attitudes in most Irish organizations can be radically different from that which you may be accustomed to in the US. Frequent tea breaks and smoking cigarettes outside the office—two behaviors discouraged in the US—may be acceptable at your Irish placement. Whether you find these differences endearing or exasperating will depend on your ability to accept these work values as simply different and not wrong. Meeting your internship objectives is unlikely during your first and second week on the job. Like any new job, it will take time for you to feel comfortable and confident in your new role. Adjusting to the work schedule and daily commute may be more difficult than you imagined. You may experience moments when you feel overwhelmed or underutilized. You may also discover that the work setting occasionally fails to hold your interest. All of these emotions and challenges contribute to the learning curve during your first weeks on-the-job. With patience, flexibility, enthusiasm, and observation during these initial weeks, you are likely to find your niche in the organization and receive greater responsibility and challenge.

Establishing a rapport with your supervisor should be one of your first priorities. Although your supervisor may recognize the importance of assigning meaningful work and providing ongoing feedback, meeting deadlines and other job priorities may limit his or her ability to provide coaching and support. If you are accustomed to a more structured work environment, you may need to demonstrate a bit more initiative and self- direction than you have in the past. Your supervisor is likely to recognize and appreciate your efforts to take on additional work.

Finding your niche in work environments where staff are extremely busy or overworked may require some initiative on your part. Coworkers may welcome you and include you in their social activities. Others may be friendly and welcoming but have little time to include you in their social activities or answer your questions. With downsizing and restructuring, today’s organizations are often understaffed. Rolling up your sleeves and contributing wherever you can will win your co- workers’ trust and support. During this introductory period, you may be assigned low challenge tasks to gauge both your attitude and ability to handle simple projects. Although you may be disappointed to receive easy tasks—and have doubts about traveling all the way to Dublin for what initially appears to be menial responsibilities—complete the assignments cheerfully and with as much effort as you would for more challenging projects. Successfully completing minor projects demonstrates your competence and capability and is likely to result in more challenging assignments. It is common for students to envision their internship placements as exciting and glamorous. Although you may experience moments of excitement and challenge, long hours, mundane tasks, and record-keeping figure prominently in most work settings. In addition to developing new skills, the internship provides opportunities to learn about organizational dynamics and the skills needed to succeed in busy office environments. Your internship will provide a greater understanding of some of the realities of the work world and should serve you well as you move into your first professional position.

If Problems Arise
If you are dissatisfied or unhappy in your internship placement, your best course of action is to bring these concerns to your supervisor’s attention. Without feedback from you, your supervisor may assume incorrectly that you are happy with your assigned tasks. If you are uncertain how to approach your supervisor, the EUSA Dublin Placement Team will be glad to help role play the conversation. If, after speaking with your supervisor, you cannot resolve the issue or agree upon an acceptable compromise, your next step should be to speak with the EUSA Dublin staff.

Attendance
Absences from your internship because you are unhappy with the placement, because the credits do not transfer back to your home institution, or because it is not what you expected are unacceptable. Unexcused absences will be reflected in your grade for the course. Frequent unexcused absences may result in a failing grade and expulsion from the program.

Grading
The internship is a serious academic course; the required written work will determine most of your course grade. Your on-site performance should be viewed as academic fieldwork for your assignments and not as the entirety of your internship experience.

Appropriate Attire
Standards of acceptable appearance and demeanor vary dramatically from country to country, and even from business to business. Students seeking to participate in a Boston University Internship, Community Placement, or Teaching Practicum Program must understand that they are emissaries of the University and the United States. Enrollment constitutes an agreement that they will attempt to live and work within the framework of local custom. Some personal choice of dress, hairstyle/color, body ornamentation, etc. that may be acceptable on most US campuses may make an internship placement in a foreign country difficult, if not impossible. By enrolling in the program, students agree to make every effort to adapt their personal appearance to the generally accepted norms of the business community of the host country, and understand that failure to do so may make placement impossible and result in a failing grade. Where dress, hairstyle and body ornamentation are dictated by an individual’s religion, race, national origin or ethnicity, every effort will be made to accommodate those needs
consistent with our status as guests in a foreign country. Since you will not know where you are working until after you arrive, it is difficult to anticipate exactly what clothing you will need for the workplace. You should dress conservatively for your internship interview and bring business clothing for the occasional special event. Men should bring slacks, blazers or sport coats, and several ties. Dresses, skirts, and dressy trousers are fine for women. Perhaps because Dublin
can be damp, dressy slacks for women are more prevalent and acceptable than in the US business. Marketing and legal interns of both sexes should expect to dress for a business setting and should bring at least one dark suit. Arts, journalism, psychology and advertising internships tend to be more casual and, as such, jeans and casual clothing may be suitable.

IN SUMMARY
Understanding workplace priorities, demonstrating initiative, and assisting wherever possible are key ingredients to a successful internship. As an intern, you may feel overlooked on occasion as busy staff focus on their work priorities. A proactive, self-directed approach will win your supervisor’s favor and may lead to new opportunities. Assert yourself. Take responsibility for your internship and volunteer for projects. Your supervisor is likely to recognize and appreciate your efforts.

Much of Ireland, the UK, and mainland of Europe use credit cards and contactless cards are accepted most places. We strongly encourage students to have a credit card to use while traveling abroad.

ATM Systems
Advances in ATM networks mean that you can now use an American ATM card, with a credit card for back up, for the duration of your stay. For many students, withdrawing money using an ATM is a sensible option. Although you will be charged the bank’s exchange rate for each transaction, the fee is typically lower than currency exchange services. If you plan to use your ATM card abroad, you are advised to contact your bank before your departure and complete any necessary paperwork to authorize card transactions overseas. Some banks will not permit overseas withdrawals using an ATM bankcard without authorization. The advantages of using an American ATM card include convenience, greater security, accountability, and free funds transfers from the US to Ireland. Cards on the CIRRUS and PLUS networks will work in all major European cities, which means you will have access to your cash in the currency of whatever country you happen to visit. Be sure to have a back-up card readily available—in case of loss, theft, demagnetization of the strip, or a computer crash—and bring euros for your initial days in Ireland. Because prices on overseas transactions vary from one US bank to another—ranging anywhere from $1.50 to $6.00— you would be wise to shop around for the best price. If your bank has a restrictive ATM network, or if its transaction fees are expensive, you should consider opening an account at a more user-friendly bank. To ensure that the account is fully operational, you should open the new account at least two months before your departure. Opening an account two months in advance will provide sufficient time for you to test your ATM and credit cards and check to see that your funds
transfer without difficulty. If your ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) is not four digits long, change it to four numbers, before you leave the US. Many European ATMs cannot accept a longer PIN number.

Tipping in Dublin is a whole new ballgame for those of us used to dishing out 15-20% tips in the States. At a restaurant, 10-15% of the bill is appropriate, and on large parties of 6 or more, the tip is usually added onto the bill automatically. In a nicer restaurant, you would tip anywhere from 15%-20%, as you would in the United States. It is not customary to tip bartenders; it is customary to tip hairdressers and salon/spa employees. Finally, if you use a taxi to get home, just round up the price of the fare (if it’s less than €10—i.e. a €7.50 fare you’d give €8) or add €1 to the total price (if it’s greater than €10). As with anything, tipping is discretionary—if it’s a large fare, late at night, early in the morning, exceptional service, etc., you are always welcome to leave an additional tip.

• “Fifty Tips for Planning an Affordable Trip to Ireland” – Frommers
• “Free Things to do in Dublin” – National Geographic
• “Cost of Living in Dublin” – Numbeo

Google Maps interfaces nearly perfectly with Irish public transport, and indeed this is what most of our students use to get around.

Bus Routes
Any bus marked ‘An Lar’ will take you to the city center. Bus services end at 11:30PM.

Bus Tips – Hail the bus to indicate you would like it to stop for you, otherwise it will just keep driving. Tell the driver what fare you require (the bus fare is based on stages traveled) and he or she will give you a ticket. Exact change is required and bus fare can only be paid in coins. If you do not have exact change, you will be given a receipt for the change that you can redeem at the Dublin Bus office on O’Connell Street. Be sure to hold onto your ticket; there is an automatic €50 fine if you do not have one (and Dublin Bus authorities do random spot checks!). Get to know your bus schedule; it will save you a lot of waiting around.

The Dublin Bus Information Office is located at 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 or accessible at the Dublin Bus website. It is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m and Saturday 9:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. Here you can pick up a bus timetable for your own bus route.

Nitelink
The Dublin Bus Nitelink service runs mainly on Friday and Saturday nights from D’Olier Street, College Street, and Westmoreland Street to surrounding Dublin areas. Nitelink buses stop at fewer drop-off points than a local bus, so you may have a longer walk home than usual. Cost is €5, exact change coins only, and Nitelink services are not included on weekly or monthly bus passes. Pre-paid Nitelink tickets can be purchased at any Dublin Bus ticket agent or from the Ticket Bus located in each street from where the Nitelink departs. The DIP office does not encourage students to use the Nitelink buses, unless traveling in a group to the same destination. It is recommended to take a taxi home at night.

DART – Dublin Area Rapid Transit
The DART is usually the quickest, most predictable way to get into town from accessible locations. The DART runs fairly consistently every 15 minutes. For schedules visit the Irish Rail website. DART Stations in Dublin city centre include Connolly Station (Amiens Street), Tara Street (just south of the River Liffey and about two blocks east of O’Connell bridge) and Pearse Street Station (on Westland Row at the east end of the Trinity College campus). DART services end at approximately 11:30 p.m.

LUAS
The LUAS tram is the light rail system with two lines operating from Connolly Station and Stephen’s Green. It runs very frequently (every 2 min or so) and has a few stops located next to tourist attractions. The fare varies by distance and tickets can be purchased at automated machines near each stop or at local ticket agents. Visit http://www.luas.ie for more information.

Leap Card

Leap Card is a convenient way to pay for public transport services. It saves you carrying coins and Leap Card fares are up to 31% cheaper than cash single tickets!

Similar to the Charlie Card in Boston; you can use it on Dublin Bus, Luas, Dart and Commuter Rail services. Simply buy your Leap Card, top it up with Travel Credit and away you go.  It saves you money; it’s flexible, convenient, quick and safe. For full details see: http://www.leapcard.ie

The card costs €5 deposit (refundable) and you must put a minimum €5 travel credit on it to start with.

Where to buy a leap card?
The quickest way to buy your young adult card is over the counter in one of over 650 outlets in Ireland. Scribbles Newsagents on the Drumcondra Road (beside Tesco Express) sell leap cards. For more information on where to buy the cards, please see: https://about.leapcard.ie/about/where-to-buy

Where to Top Up with Travel Credit or Tickets?
Leap Cards can be topped up with Travel Credit or Tickets at over 500 shops in Ireland, as well as at all Luas stops and at all DART/Commuter Rail stations in Dublin. These are known as pay stations and again include Scribbles on the Drumcondra Road as well as Mace on the Drumcondra Road.

When using a Leap Card to pay as you go or when using a ticket loaded onto the Leap Card:

• Bus – Touch Onvia the touch screen beside the bus driver, telling him/her where you are going.
• Luas/Train – Touch On AND Touch Off when journey ends.

More info on Leap Card can be found on the Dublin Bus website as well as at http://www.dublinbus.ie/Fares-and-Tickets/Leap-Card/

If you choose not to get a leap card, you can also pay on public transport with cash (must be in coinage/change. Notes are not accepted on Dublin Bus).”

Decide where you want to go
Look at travel guides: (There are a limited number of travel guides on the reserve shelf in the BU Dublin Office. USIT in Aston Quay has a large selection of travel guides that you can buy for a 10% discount with your USIT card. You can review more information about USIT at www.usit.ie)

• Rough Guide series
• Lonely Planet series
• Fodors

Find the cheapest way to get there
Several websites offer discount travel deals and holiday packages.

Discount airlines:

• Ryanair
• Easyjet
• Aerlingus (great and frequent sales to various locations!)

Other discount travel websites:

• Last Minute
• Expedia
• Bus Eireann
• Railpass (European and British rail passes)

The USIT office will also book flights for you, although you should check the above websites first, as sometimes their prices are better than those offered by travel agencies.

Plan accommodation during your stay
Once you have booked your flight, you can choose from a range of accommodations, from B & Bs to 4-star hotels:

• Hotels.com
• Euro Cheap
• Hostel World

The BU Dublin office recommends that students stay in B&Bs and hotels where possible. While hostels are gaining popularity in the US, they incredibly popular in around the world. Check out this blog by the Blonde Abroad about staying in a hostel. If you choose to stay in a hostel, please do your research. Make smart decisions and take your own safety into consideration. Check out this blog by Nomadic Matt or this blog by The Savvy Backpacker about how to find a good, fun and safe hostel!

Medical Facilities
BU Dublin works with several local General Practitioners (GPs), with whom students can make appoints for their medical needs. If you require medical attention within normal working hours, you will need to contact a physician to make an appointment.

D-Doc
If you need a doctor outside of normal working hours or over the weekend, then please contact ‘D-Doc’ at Tel. 1850 22 44 77. The ‘D-Doc’ will make sure to let you know where a walk-in clinic is available. Opening hours are 6:00 p.m–8:00 a.m Monday-Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays. There is a fee for this service (approx. €60-€85).

Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance, Lifeboats, Mountain /Cave Rescue, Coastal Rescue – Dial 999. This number is like the 911 service in the USA. The police force in Ireland is known as the Gardaí (pronounced gar – dee), and a single police officer is a Garda (gar – da).

The American Citizen Services Unit of the American Embassy was established to assist Americans visiting or living in Ireland. You may call, write, visit the website or stop by to request their help. If you are visiting in person, it is a good idea to bring along your U.S. passport for identification purposes. Various services are offered at different times; please check the hours before you visit.

U.S. Embassy
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel. 01 668 8777
https://ie.usembassy.gov/
Hours: 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m Monday – Friday

Check hours for specific services. The embassy is closed all Irish and American official holidays.
Please note: The Embassy cannot help you if you are arrested for any offence under Irish law.

The Passport and Citizenship Office can renew or replace your expired or lost U.S. passport. In some instances, passports may be renewed through the post. However, all replacement passports must be applied for in person. Phone the Embassy to find out what documentation is required and for current fees. The Passport and Citizenship Office is open to the public from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (closed Wednesdays).

It is recommended you enroll in the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).

Dublin is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, and although it may seem smaller and slower-paced than most metropolitan areas, it is a city nonetheless, and presents the same dangers as all major cities (i.e. New York, Boston, London, etc.)

If you choose to explore Dublin after dark, stay in groups and keep an eye on those you went out with to ensure everyone makes it back safely. Always keep an eye on your food/drinks/etc. and avoid going anywhere or walking through city centre alone after dark. If you are unfamiliar with your surroundings, do not pull out a map; find the nearest shop or Garda and ask for directions in person. Sharing a cab is preferable (and safer!) than taking the Nitelink home and is highly recommended.

Dublin is in general is relatively safe. However, as with any city, there are rougher areas and individuals, and it is advised that you always remain aware of your surroundings. If you witness an emergency situation, do not get involved. Call 999 and inform the proper authorities. If you witness individuals in flagrant violation of local laws (i.e. drinking/smoking on the bus) or engaging in rude behavior (i.e. shouting verbal abuse, cursing, etc.), do not look at them or say anything; simply ignore them and continue on. When in doubt, always trust your instincts.

Identities Abroad

As you prepare for your study abroad experience, you’ll want to consider aspects of your identity and how these may be perceived and treated in the culture you’ll be spending time in. You may encounter varying and even opposing perceptions of your identity, which could include your gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, ethnicity, and possibly several others. Although some of this will be covered in your on-site orientation, we encourage you to do some research into social norms, cultural mores, and local practices before your program begins. We want you to participate as much as possible in the host culture and should be prepared for the experience, which can be both personally challenging and rewarding.

Explore our resources for understanding how your experience may be impacted by your identity(ies).

Additional Resources

• BU Student Health Services
• BU Study Abroad Health and Safety
• BU Safety
• BU Wellness Center
• BU Study Abroad Ambassadors
• US State Department Travelers with Special Considerations