About The Program
Engage in real-world politics working with a member of Parliament. Research issues, connect with citizens, and write reports and press releases as you get an inside view of how the parliamentary system works. If you see a future in government, politics, law, or international relations, this opportunity is for you. Courses on Irish politics, history, and literature enrich your experience with insights into Irish culture. During downtime, explore the Cliffs of Moher, the hedge maze at Iveagh Gardens, and the elegant Dublin Castle.
WHERE YOU'LL STUDY
Dublin is the republic’s capital, the home of past and present writers of international stature, and the center of the island’s renewed economic growth. At the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), local faculty provide the preparation, training, and support you need to succeed in this program. IPA is Ireland’s only school focused exclusively on public sector development. Classes are held in a brick-and-stone townhouse on a wide, lushly tree-lined street in a Dublin suburb. Ballsbridge has traditionally been the home of foreign embassies (including the American embassy) and diplomatic representatives in Dublin, and it is just minutes away from the city center. The internship location at the Parliament building is a quick 20-minute ride on public transportation from the classes at the IPA building. Dublin also affords easy access to the countryside, seashore, and mountains.
Media Gallery
TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES
The study center arranges field trips and activities to introduce the local culture and special features of your host country. There may be other optional excursions, which you can explore after arrival.
Weekend trip to Scottish Highlands
Irish dancing and Celtic music show
Thanksgiving lunch plus theater
Dublin city walking tour
Social dinners and gatherings
Fourth of July celebration
From The Californian Abroad
As an English Literature and Global Studies double major, my study abroad program supplemented my studies perfectly. I was better able to understand how European society views American politics. Seeing the US through another country's lens was odd, and it shed light on how much influence the US has on global politics. I realized that it is incredibly important, now more than ever, for the US to serve as an example for the rest of the world when it comes to issues such as eradicating poverty, homelessness, racial and gender inequality, and combating isolationism.
Beyond allowing me to improve my research, writing, and editing skills, my internship improved my professional confidence immensely. While I expected to enjoy working in parliament, I did not predict how much impact this work would have on my future career goals. I was set on attending law school after graduation, and I was able to reflect and recognize that there are many other political careers I hadn't considered. After my experience, I've developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in speech writing or policy research. More than the professional development, I was reminded of the awe-inspiring power that elected representatives are given and how that power, when used correctly, can make the world a more peaceful and equitable place.
My internship in Ireland was a fantastic opportunity to grow in professionalism, communication skills, understanding of politics, and relationships with people in varying positions. Observing and working with a senator gave me extraordinary insight into what kind of career I want to pursue. I am now considering a Master’s degree in political science, a path I hadn’t considered until this internship.
This internship helped me acquire more confidence, as it helped me discover more about myself and feel more confident in pursuing a political career. Coming from a low-income family and being a first-generation college student, I did not think I would have the privilege of having these experiences.
This internship helped me acquire more confidence, as it helped me discover more about myself and feel more confident in pursuing a political career. Coming from a low-income family and being a first-generation college student, I did not think I would have the privilege of having these experiences.
I have long been interested in pursuing a career in international law, so I was beyond excited that the Irish Parliament internship offered an opportunity for three of my long-held interests to overlap. The opportunity to experience international systems of governance in action made me a better student and professional, and a more informed and motivated global citizen.
From working in parliament to adjusting to Irish weather, my experience in Dublin was filled with fear and personal growth. There was always something unknown and unfamiliar at school, at work, in the city center, or at my homestay, and it always led to a growth point. When you're on your own in a place you've never been before, all you can do is turn your panic into possibility and your fear into friends. I guarantee, if you do so, you'll have the best time of your life.
It was almost dreamlike going to work every day in the Irish Parliament. With my all-access badge to Leinster House, I walked the historic halls and even had a chance encounter with Taoiseach Simon Harris in the canteen! I was fortunate to work with MP Cormac Devlin, and the office's warm Irish humor made every day exciting. Going from reading about the Dáil's first sitting to actually sitting in the chamber the next day was surreal. I woke up every day excited to go to work and left with a big smile on my face.
I am profoundly interested in law and policy, and this internship has affirmed that the path I'm on is right for me. I witnessed the mechanics of political problem-solving in action and gained a much greater understanding of how political machinations, especially with regard to foreign relations, actually work.
As a political science and international studies major, working inside another nation's parliament was an opportunity I never imagined possible. My first day in Leinster House was pure awe—from the Seanad's chandeliers to the historic halls. As a first-generation Latina, walking those corridors showed me I'm truly beginning to realize my dream of making a difference through politics.