Expectations v. Reality: an internship in Ireland (Part two)

Nine weeks after arriving in Ireland, my perspective has evolved.

What began as a whirlwind of first impressions has grown into a deeper understanding of everyday life here. Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the chance to experience local culture, discover new places, and adapt to a different rhythm. I’ve now completed my internship with an Irish company, an experience that brought both challenges and rewards. As you read this, I’m probably on the plane home, taking with me a suitcase full of memories and a fresh outlook. . 

These nine weeks have flown by. Although it feels like time slipped through my fingers and there's still so much left to explore, I’m grateful for everything I’ve experienced and the memories I’ve made. From standing in awe at the mythical Cliffs of Moher, to visiting Cobh and the historic Spike Island, spending a weekend in Dublin, and relaxing on the beach at Crosshaven, every week brought something new. The weekdays were filled with discovery, and the weekends often felt like a mini holiday.

Staying with a host family was an incredible experience as it gave us the chance to talk with our lovely host mother, who was always happy to give us tips on how to make the most of our time here and where to go. It was also a great way to learn more about Irish customs and see what daily life is like, especially from a native Irish person. We got tips on where to go travelling, where to eat in the city and so much more. 

The Wild Atlantic Way

A few (minor) differences

We quickly noticed some differences, like the times people eat and what they usually have for each meal. I had heard that they eat earlier in Ireland than we do in France, but I wasn’t expecting this early. This was an aspect of Irish culture that took a few days to adapt to but by the end, it was the norm. I also have to admit it: Ireland does live up to their potato-loving stereotype. I've honestly never had so many fries in such a short time but I’m not complaining, I am travelling home with a newfound appreciation for the potatoes and all its wonderous forms. One other small detail that really surprised me but was rather niche, was finding jam in a sandwich. We were given it for lunch one day, and I wasn’t expecting it at all. It’s not something we would normally put in a savoury sandwich, and I have to say, it wasn’t really for me. But it’s all part of the experience, and trying new things is what makes it memorable.

Cork City

Mastering the accent

During my internship, I was immersed in the English language, which was perfect to improve my level and is the best help possible to learn specific office vocabulary. Even the different websites were (obviously) in English, which was great training. It has also been a great way to train to talk in English with native people, and try as much as possible to lose my Frenchie accent (spoiler: I didn't), but hey,  I’m still trying and I think I have mastered the Cork accent which is an achievement in itself for a non-native English speaker who isn’t used to the sheer speed of English speakers in Ireland.  

The Conclusion

To sum it up, this whole experience and internship has been full of learning, discoveries, meeting people and living our best life daily. It has been and will stay a memorable and exceptional experience for me, and I will cherish those memories for a long, long time. I have learned and acquired many new competences, how to use new websites, how to film and edit a video with an advertising purpose, and also got to create a lot of diverse communication documents.  After visiting Dublin, Cobh and other Irish cities, I can say it wholeheartedly and in the famous words of Sinéad O’Connor, Cork, nothing compares 2 U.