After thinking about it for a long time, I decided to do my internship semester abroad and quickly decided that it should be in Ireland. I started preparing about 10 months beforehand and recommend that anyone planning a stay abroad should start as early as possible.
During my research for a suitable placement, I quickly became aware of the "Cork Foyer", which is located on the north side of the city of Cork, in a district called Blackpool. The Cork Foyer offers homeless young adults or those at risk of homelessness between the ages of 18 and 25 a combination of secure and inexpensive accommodation (a total of 19 rooms including bathroom), support in all problem situations through an individually created assistance plan as well as various training and further education opportunities.
I expected my internship to give me an insight into working with young people/homeless people that was previously unknown to me, so that I could find out whether this path was one I would want to take later on.
When I arrived for my first day of work in March 2017, I received a very warm welcome. The manager and also all the employees were very open-hearted and helpful. After a short time, I was already involved in the organization and distribution of tasks. My supervisor gradually introduced me to the independent execution of professional tasks and additionally tried to ensure the connection to the learning content of my studies. She was very committed to teaching me a wide range of knowledge and skills. She motivated me to try things on my own and helped me if I got stuck. The whole Foyer team was great! Whether it was a social worker, administrator, or manager, everyone took the time to show me the smallest things!
The shelter and work that the Foyer provides and does is very much needed. The number of homeless people in Ireland is generally very high, there is a shortage of affordable housing and many of the homeless young adults come from problem families or have to leave the children's home or foster home at 18 and have never learned to support themselves, pay rent or take on other responsibilities. In the Foyer, they are given the chance to bring stability back into their lives and, with the help of the specialists, to build their way into a positive future step by step.
Thanks to innovative programs called Independent Living Skills Training, the young people are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills for autonomous living outside the Foyer during their stay. Furthermore, the Foyer's specialists also provide information, advice and support regarding things such as personal wellness and health, welfare benefits, assistance in finding appropriate housing and relocation, etc.
Since the Cork Foyer operates within a large network, I was frequently given the opportunity to work with other central agencies such as women's shelters, the Youth Welfare Office, or drug counseling centers. The tasks I was assigned were not only support tasks - from delivering garbage, taking phone calls, to risk assessment, counseling sessions or accompanying to court hearings: I was given the opportunity to collaborate on really all the tasks at hand. My opinion and ideas were always welcome, which also gave me the opportunity to plan and realize my own small photo project.
In the Cork Foyer it is recognized that students are still in apprenticeship, but already have some professional and practical knowledge. In general, there was a very relaxed working atmosphere in the Foyer. The confidence in me and the appreciation of my work, not only that of the staff but also of the residents, gave me a good feeling and strengthened my self-confidence regarding my own skills immensely. In the approximately five months I spent at Foyer, I gained insight into countless areas of social work and experienced and learned a great deal. I am convinced that I will be able to put these experiences to very good use in the future.
The city of Cork also has a lot to offer. It is located in the province of Munster in the south of Ireland and is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland with a population of approximately 125,000. Cork is situated between hills in a valley formed by the River Lee. The river, which runs through the middle of the city center, flows into the Atlantic Ocean not far away. Here, city and country life melt together effortlessly. Everything is quite manageable. A walk through the city center doesn't take long, yet Cork has the cosmopolitan culture and energy of a capital city, where you'll find all the options you'd expect in a modern European city. Thanks to the wide range of culture and a variety of leisure activities, there is never a dull moment in the student city of Cork.
However, the highlights of the city are cozy pubs with live music, restaurants where the freshest local ingredients are put on the plate, and the always friendly locals. The hospitality, warmth and helpfulness of the Irish is really great. Life here is very relaxed and comfortable, the motto for everything is: "it'll be grand - it'll be fine". People are more laid back, open minded and easy going and Cork is home to many multilingual people, with a multicultural environment where you can gain great experiences.
However, the cost of living in Ireland, especially rent and food, is very high compared to Germany. In Cork, the rent for a room including utilities is around 420 euros, and for a two-bedroom apartment in the city center you pay around 900 euros. Shopping in the supermarket costs a quarter more than in Germany, but all that is feasible if you have saved up something beforehand or work part-time.
I can only recommend a stay abroad to everyone, no matter if it is an internship or studies. All the impressions and experiences I was able to gather here have shaped me not only professionally, but also personally. New perspectives, new friends, new self-confidence; the time here in Ireland was one of the most valuable I've ever had and I'm almost certain that I'll go back again someday.
