My first week of internship is now behind me. And I can honestly say I've liked every minute of it. Everybody at work is so friendly, warm and welcoming, it really makes me feel like I'm actually a part of the team, not just some foreign intern. Even though it has been only a week, it seems that I was born to do this line of work in Ireland. I know I've only worked here for one week, but already I can say I'm a far better customer servant than I ever was in Finland. Hell, I already overheard the comment "She was nice, wasn't she? Exactly what a receptionist should be like." from a lovely Irish couple. Hearing a comment like that this soon and from the Irish customers, it really warms my heart.
Of course during my first day, I felt a bit lost. It was a new place and I was working in English for the first time in my life. But in the end, working in English feels quite natural to me. I haven't had a single situation where for a example a customer didn't understand what I was trying to say. Of course, since this is Ireland after all, I've had some situations involving heavy accents. Even though I have lived in Ireland before and got somewhat used to the variety of accents this country has, I still find myself not completely understanding some of the heaviest accents. In situations like these, I always feel very self conscious and kinda inadequate, since I feel a bit stupid that even though the other person is speaking English, I don't fully understand. But, the fact that this does happen to other native English speakers too and even to the Irish, makes me feel better. And well, the situations even with the heaviest accents are usually the kind that I simply have to ask the other person to repeat himself once, and that's it. So yeah, I definitely shouldn't feel too bad about it. But I am a perfectionist when it comes to languages (especially English) so what can you do. I know that after a while, understanding even the heaviest accents will become easier. And I know that my problems with the accents are kinda silly, perhaps even a bit petty and definitely nothing I should worry about. After all, it is mostly in my head, being a perfectionist and all, since not once have I received any negative feedback about my English skills. Only positive.
As for the work I do. During breakfast I do waitressing and after that, I work in the reception or do some little things around the hotel, like cleaning, occasionally work in the bar of the hotel etc. The atmosphere of the place is very warm and welcoming, and the service here is incredible. So personal and warm. Even though I have only worked here for a short time, I have actually spent about 10 minutes on several occasions on checking in the guest to the hotel. This certainly is something that wouldn't happen in Finland. I am surprised how natural this kind of service environment feels to me. After all, Finns are not to keen on small talk or chitchat. Yet, it all feels so natural and right to. I really was born in the wrong country it seems.
One of the reasons I applied for an internship in Ireland was to see would I have what it takes to work in Ireland. And well, already I can say that I so do. The working environment and the customer service environment suits me better, than the Finnish one. It's friendlier, warmer and more genuine. And the working environment is more relaxed and everything isn't as tightly regulated as in Finland, which suits me well. I love this line of work even more than I did in Finland. I truly get the feeling that this is what I'm meant to do in the future, right here in Ireland. Working here feels right. And living here, oh boy, it feels so damn right and good.
My first week has gone surprisingly well, a lot better than I would have thought, actually. But for example on Thursday, I slept in. The alarm clock on my phone didn't ring, so instead of waking up at 5.25, I woke up at 7 am. Needless to say that was incredibly embarrassing. Especially when it happened during my first week. This is how I make a good first impression.. But after calling my boss in the morning, it was all good. He told me not to worry and just take the day off. I could make up that one missed day over the weekend. Originally I was supposed to have both Saturday and Sunday off. This really is a downer of commuting to work long, like I do. If I do happen to sleep in, like on Thursday, it is gonna mean I'll lose the entire day. But other than, I can say that it is so worth it. This way I'll get to see two cities in Ireland, not just one. And well, living in Galway, it's so damn awesome.
So by a coincidence, I ended up having a surprise day off on Thursday. And I actually had a lovely day, walking around Galway, doing some shopping, just taking in the beauty of the city and having a nice lunch. And of course, I took some photos:
A thing I have learnt about tourism-related jobs in Ireland. Apparently, most of these jobs require no degree here. Or at least most of the people who do these jobs, don't have that. And well, let's just say that I'm really struggling to gather up all the willpower I have that instead of going back to Finland in September, I don't just apply for a job here and stay in Ireland. But I know myself well enough. I know that the longer I stay in Ireland, the harder it gets. Already, the thought of going back to Finland kinda disgusts me. Don't get me wrong, of course I miss my friends and family. But everything else.. I don't belong in Finland, I never did. I belong in Ireland. Why should I go back to a country that just isn't home and that doesn't feel right to me? Being torn between two countries like this isn't easy. On the other hand, I know I should do the right thing. Return to Finland, finish my studies and then apply for a job in Ireland. But the heart wants what it wants. Because I know that nothing would make me happier than being able to stay here. And kinda forcing myself to go back to Finland, it kills me a little inside. So we'll see what happens. I know that most likely, I am at least gonna try my luck with the job search here in Galway. Even if I don't get lucky, it will all still be good practice for the future.
I can't write too much about Ennis, the town where I'm working in, yet. I've seen some of the town, but I haven't had the time to properly take a look around town, to see some sights or even visit any of the restaurants, cafés, shops or bars in town. But I will do that as soon as I can, and then I will tell more about it. But from the first look, Ennis seems like a lovely little town. And working at a hotel in Ennis has been great. So all in all, no complaints whatsoever.
To sum it all up, at this very moment, I'm feeling very happy. Living in Galway is amazing and I really like my internship place and the work I do there. So far, this internship has been an amazing experience, and I know it's only gonna get better. I can't really say anything else, except Ireland is love, Ireland is home. And that feeling is only getting stronger each day.
This was a bit of a long post and I probably was rambling a bit, so bear with me. But I think I covered the most important things about my first week and my first impressions of the internship. I will tell more about my internship experiences in later posts. Since my days at work are quite long due to long commuting, I most likely won't be posting as often as I would like. But I am gonna try to do at least one post within the next week or two. So till then, bye!
Of course during my first day, I felt a bit lost. It was a new place and I was working in English for the first time in my life. But in the end, working in English feels quite natural to me. I haven't had a single situation where for a example a customer didn't understand what I was trying to say. Of course, since this is Ireland after all, I've had some situations involving heavy accents. Even though I have lived in Ireland before and got somewhat used to the variety of accents this country has, I still find myself not completely understanding some of the heaviest accents. In situations like these, I always feel very self conscious and kinda inadequate, since I feel a bit stupid that even though the other person is speaking English, I don't fully understand. But, the fact that this does happen to other native English speakers too and even to the Irish, makes me feel better. And well, the situations even with the heaviest accents are usually the kind that I simply have to ask the other person to repeat himself once, and that's it. So yeah, I definitely shouldn't feel too bad about it. But I am a perfectionist when it comes to languages (especially English) so what can you do. I know that after a while, understanding even the heaviest accents will become easier. And I know that my problems with the accents are kinda silly, perhaps even a bit petty and definitely nothing I should worry about. After all, it is mostly in my head, being a perfectionist and all, since not once have I received any negative feedback about my English skills. Only positive.
As for the work I do. During breakfast I do waitressing and after that, I work in the reception or do some little things around the hotel, like cleaning, occasionally work in the bar of the hotel etc. The atmosphere of the place is very warm and welcoming, and the service here is incredible. So personal and warm. Even though I have only worked here for a short time, I have actually spent about 10 minutes on several occasions on checking in the guest to the hotel. This certainly is something that wouldn't happen in Finland. I am surprised how natural this kind of service environment feels to me. After all, Finns are not to keen on small talk or chitchat. Yet, it all feels so natural and right to. I really was born in the wrong country it seems.
One of the reasons I applied for an internship in Ireland was to see would I have what it takes to work in Ireland. And well, already I can say that I so do. The working environment and the customer service environment suits me better, than the Finnish one. It's friendlier, warmer and more genuine. And the working environment is more relaxed and everything isn't as tightly regulated as in Finland, which suits me well. I love this line of work even more than I did in Finland. I truly get the feeling that this is what I'm meant to do in the future, right here in Ireland. Working here feels right. And living here, oh boy, it feels so damn right and good.
My first week has gone surprisingly well, a lot better than I would have thought, actually. But for example on Thursday, I slept in. The alarm clock on my phone didn't ring, so instead of waking up at 5.25, I woke up at 7 am. Needless to say that was incredibly embarrassing. Especially when it happened during my first week. This is how I make a good first impression.. But after calling my boss in the morning, it was all good. He told me not to worry and just take the day off. I could make up that one missed day over the weekend. Originally I was supposed to have both Saturday and Sunday off. This really is a downer of commuting to work long, like I do. If I do happen to sleep in, like on Thursday, it is gonna mean I'll lose the entire day. But other than, I can say that it is so worth it. This way I'll get to see two cities in Ireland, not just one. And well, living in Galway, it's so damn awesome.
So by a coincidence, I ended up having a surprise day off on Thursday. And I actually had a lovely day, walking around Galway, doing some shopping, just taking in the beauty of the city and having a nice lunch. And of course, I took some photos:
A thing I have learnt about tourism-related jobs in Ireland. Apparently, most of these jobs require no degree here. Or at least most of the people who do these jobs, don't have that. And well, let's just say that I'm really struggling to gather up all the willpower I have that instead of going back to Finland in September, I don't just apply for a job here and stay in Ireland. But I know myself well enough. I know that the longer I stay in Ireland, the harder it gets. Already, the thought of going back to Finland kinda disgusts me. Don't get me wrong, of course I miss my friends and family. But everything else.. I don't belong in Finland, I never did. I belong in Ireland. Why should I go back to a country that just isn't home and that doesn't feel right to me? Being torn between two countries like this isn't easy. On the other hand, I know I should do the right thing. Return to Finland, finish my studies and then apply for a job in Ireland. But the heart wants what it wants. Because I know that nothing would make me happier than being able to stay here. And kinda forcing myself to go back to Finland, it kills me a little inside. So we'll see what happens. I know that most likely, I am at least gonna try my luck with the job search here in Galway. Even if I don't get lucky, it will all still be good practice for the future.
I can't write too much about Ennis, the town where I'm working in, yet. I've seen some of the town, but I haven't had the time to properly take a look around town, to see some sights or even visit any of the restaurants, cafés, shops or bars in town. But I will do that as soon as I can, and then I will tell more about it. But from the first look, Ennis seems like a lovely little town. And working at a hotel in Ennis has been great. So all in all, no complaints whatsoever.
To sum it all up, at this very moment, I'm feeling very happy. Living in Galway is amazing and I really like my internship place and the work I do there. So far, this internship has been an amazing experience, and I know it's only gonna get better. I can't really say anything else, except Ireland is love, Ireland is home. And that feeling is only getting stronger each day.
This was a bit of a long post and I probably was rambling a bit, so bear with me. But I think I covered the most important things about my first week and my first impressions of the internship. I will tell more about my internship experiences in later posts. Since my days at work are quite long due to long commuting, I most likely won't be posting as often as I would like. But I am gonna try to do at least one post within the next week or two. So till then, bye!
