Living Abroad
AIFS Abroad provides excellent accommodations, activities, resources, and staff to help interns learn about and integrate into their host community.
Housing
Apartment
- Single occupancy room
- En-suite bathroom
- Shared living space and kitchen
- 24/7 Security
- Located in the city center and close to amenities
Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Galway.
City Facts
Transportation
Walking is the preferred method of transportation around Galway, but there is also a bike-share program and buses to help navigate around the city.
Weather
Galway is a coastal city which means the days are usually mild, but can be cloudy and rainy even in the driest months of the year, so don’t forget to pack your rain gear.
Time Zones
Ireland is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
Languages
While English is an official language spoken in Galway, you will also hear Gaeilge, the second official language, spoken in shops and pubs around the city.
Site Staff
Karen Lyons
Location Coordinator Galway
BA in Communication Design with an option in Media Arts
Born and raised in Northern California, Karen spent many years living in Los Angeles before moving to Galway, Ireland in 2018. A study abroad program to Brighton, England while she was in college, contributed strongly to her passion for travel and the ease at which she made the decision to move to a new country. Karen’s own study abroad experience coupled with her love of Ireland, are what inspired her to take the job with AIFS Abroad in 2022 and she has thoroughly enjoyed sharing this passion with the student interns. She has traveled to almost 20 countries in Europe and she counts Australia and Costa Rica among some of her favorite places to visit.
After moving to Ireland, Karen took up photography as a hobby and as a result, her photos are featured frequently by various Galway and Irish tourism social media pages. She has adapted very well to rural Irish life, having recently started playing Rounders with a group of friends. She also loves to bake and cook, and helps to coach her son’s soccer team.
Karen’s professional background is in public relations and event planning. After spending several years working for producers and talent agents in the entertainment industry, she segued into PR, working on accounts ranging from brands and food/drink to film and television. She also planned and executed large and small scale events. Her life in Los Angeles was very different to her life in Galway and she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she’s not working for AIFS Abroad, Karen spends her time with her son and husband, traveling around.
Cultural Activities
In addition to day trips and excursions, a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS Abroad staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of life in Ireland. Typical activities, tours and visits include:
- Guided tour of Galway including a boat tour on the River Corrib
- Day trip to Inis Oirr, one of the Aran Islands
- Day trip to Connemara
- Lunch at a pub with live music
- Art & Music Festivals
You may be asked to pay a small supplementary fee for some events.
Cultural Resources
One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled the General Cultural Resources and Site Specific Cultural Resources for you to review. Your program staff will also provide you with more details during pre-departure and orientation.
Learn moreImportant Dates & Deadlines
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Dates & Deadlines
Details
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Early Application Deadline*December 15, 2024
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Application Deadline**March 15, 2025
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Scholarship DeadlineMarch 1, 2025
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Visa Deadline****
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Balance of Fees Payment DeadlineMay 5, 2025
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Optional Departure Flight from US***June 6, 2025
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Program BeginsJune 7, 2025
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Program EndsAugust 2, 2025
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Optional Return Flight to US***August 2, 2025
- * We encourage applicants to apply by this date for a better chance of acceptance into their preferred career fields.
- ** Deposits are due within 10 days of acceptance.
- *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
- **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.
Optional Flight Package
Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.
Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.
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Ready to intern in Galway?
For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: intern@aifsabroad.com
