Alumni Interview with Jaclyn Kanter

What inspired you to go abroad?

I had always felt a pull to get abroad and see more of the world, even though I wasn't always sure where or when I would go. I knew that there were so many beautiful sites to see and people to meet, and I wanted to start expanding my cultural knowledge as soon as possible.

Why did you choose Global Experiences?

I chose Global Experiences because I wanted the opportunity to live like a local while developing my professional skills. Through GE, I knew that I could get an internship in my field, which allowed me to work towards my professional goals all while experiencing another culture. I was commuting to work and living like a local in no time!

What was your favorite part about Ireland?

I absolutely adored the geographical landscape of Dublin and Ireland in general. In Dublin, you can hop on the DART and go from a city to a beautiful coastal town in under 30 minutes. You can hike up a mountain and see lush greenery and mountains to your left and vast oceans to your right. The country is absolutely stunning and you'll want to experience it all. The local coffee shops in Dublin were also incredible-- there are so many choices for coffee lovers!

What made your experience abroad unique?

I was lucky enough to begin my internship at an incredibly eventful time for the company. I worked with Irish Modern Dance Theatre, and they were fundraising to bring one of their works to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe while in rehearsal for another, new piece of dance theatre. I was lucky enough to help with the fundraiser (they raised enough money!!) and see the creative process unfold in rehearsals. I also attended two photoshoots-- one was on the rooftop of the St. Stevens Green shopping center, and the other was to shoot promotional material for their new piece. I actually ended up participating in the second photoshoot and have some interesting and fun photos to prove it!

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

I always felt as if our local Dublin staff had our backs in case we ever needed anything. They were with us at the beginning, middle, and end of the program, ensuring that we were comfortably assimilating to Dublin life. I felt completely independent in Dublin but, had I needed anything, they would have been available to help.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

This is a tricky question because there actually isn't much that I wish I had done differently! If anything, I wish I had done a bit more research on how to transition into a life abroad, because I had never crossed the ocean to visit another country before living in Dublin. In that sense, I feel as if I could have been a bit more prepared regarding cultural differences.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

My work day started at 10am, so I would often get up early and go to a coffee shop to either read or complete independent research. I often bought the most delicious toast on the way to work-- it was 2.5 euros and came with incredible nut butter, seasonal jam, and a slab of butter. I would then head to work and begin with the tasks of the day in the office. This ranged from day to day, but normal tasks included booking flights for international dancers, archiving promotional material for the company, and creating organizational charts to keep track of various assets. 

After lunch, I would head to the rehearsal studio, where I would either work on the fundraiser or serve as a helping hand in the rehearsal hall. This was my favorite part since I loved watching the dancers in action! After work, I often met my lovely roommate for dinner at a pub, our favorite salad joint, or any other restaurant that looked good (which was often all of them)! After this, we often walked around the city or scoped out traditional music to end the day.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoyed scoping out coffee shops, since there were so many to try. I would often find a new coffee shop, chat with the barista for a bit, and settle in with a cup of coffee and a good book. I also loved walking around the city and taking in all it had to offer. I often found myself weaving in and out of bookstores and little shops simply to browse and people-watch. I loved walking down Grafton Street to listen to the music and watch how people interacted with their surroundings.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

My residence hall was unlike any dorm I had ever seen. The bathroom was outside of our room (although the other suite had a bathroom inside) and it was tiny-- the shower shared the same plane with the toilet and sink, with only a curtain to separate the two. I was worried at first because the bathroom was small, but soon found that it was completely manageable! I shared an apartment with my roommate and our suitemates. The apartment contained two rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen stocked with utensils, plates, cups, and spoons. There was a small refrigerator, a microwave, and an oven.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Be open to change! Like any life experience, you are bound to hit bumps in the road. You may get homesick, you may feel uncomfortable in a new city, or you may simply have a bit of trouble adapting to the lifestyle of city living. Closing yourself off to the new culture will only make the experience more difficult when it doesn't have to be. Acknowledge how you're feeling and talk to friends, and you'll be excited and feeling better in no time. Adaptability is key in an experience such as this.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

It's hard to exactly pinpoint how so, but I definitely feel different! I feel like the entire experience helped me to become more mature, adaptable, and worldly. I'm generally a quiet person, and my internship pushed me out of my comfort zone (which is always a good step in personal growth!). I also feel much more confident communicating with people of different backgrounds and cultures-- I am ready to get back out and travel some more! I think I'm going to owe a lot to Ireland in the near future.

Would you recommend a Summer Intership in Dublin to others? Why?

ABSOLUTELY! If you want to travel and live like a local, this is the program for you. You'll have plenty of time to work, hone in on your professional skills, and experience all that a new culture has to offer. Some of my favorite memories take place in a local Irish pub, listening to a trad session with friends. You have the nights to explore and do just that-- take in the culture of a new country-- without feeling overwhelmed with homework or any other stressors. You will have the time of your life.