Vom 1. bis zum 21. Juni 2025 verbringen neun Lernende der WSKVW drei Wochen in Dublin. Dort besuchen sie eine Sprachschule, arbeiten in lokalen Unternehmen und sammeln wertvolle Erfahrungen im Ausland. In diesem Beitrag berichten sie über Ihre Eindrücke. Jeden Tag erzählen neue Lernende persönlich und authentisch von ihren Erlebnissen.

Samir, 01.–03.06.2025: My First Days in Dublin – A Memorable Start

We arrived in Dublin on Sunday around 12pm and took a taxi to our host families. After settling in and unpacking, some of us went out to explore the city. For dinner, we chose an Asian restaurant – a great start to our culinary experience in Ireland.

The next day was a bank holiday in Dublin, which gave us the opportunity to go on a half-day trip to the charming seaside village of Howth. We enjoyed a scenic boat tour, followed by a walk along the coastline. Although public transport was less reliable due to the holiday, it didn’t dampen our spirits.

On Tuesday, we began our language course. In the mornings, we joined international classes and had the chance to meet students from all over the world. In the afternoons, we studied with our group from WSKVW, focusing on vocabulary that will help us during our upcoming two-week internships.

After class, we continued discovering the city. We walked through lively streets and ended the day with a delicious group dinner at a burger restaurant.

What stood out most during these first days was how warm and welcoming Dublin feels. The host families, the atmosphere of the neighborhoods, and the friendliness of the locals made us feel at home right away.

I’m looking forward to the rest of this exciting experience – the people, the language, the culture, and of course, the food!

Lea, 04.–06.06.2025: The past three days in Dublin – New Words, New Places, New Memories

Because we visited the CES (Centre of English Studies) school during the first week of our stay in Ireland, our main activity was, of course, going to school. Our schedule was from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but since the school is located in the center of the city, we had the opportunity to wander around and go shopping after classes.

Besides learning vocabulary for our upcoming internships, we also picked up some Irish words. For example, we learned that “Sláinte” is Irish for “cheers,” and “Tá brón orm” means “I am sad” although it literally translates to “Sadness is on me.” We also learned a few idioms and English slang phrases used in Ireland, such as “a pint of the black stuff” (meaning a pint of Guinness) and “What’s the craic?” (meaning What’s up?”)

While exploring the city, we came across famous spots like Temple Bar and even saw one of those portal screens that show you live footage from another country. We also checked out some vintage stores and of course, a few souvenir shops.

If you don’t feel like eating in the city, you can have dinner at your host family’s home. They’re happy to prepare something for you and are generally very kind. For example, they made us a traditional Irish dish called Bacon and Cabbage with Parsley Sauce. As the name suggests, it’s a meal consisting of boiled bacon, boiled cabbage, and boiled potatoes, served with a creamy parsley sauce.

Everyone is really enjoying their stay in Dublin, and I’m looking forward to the next two weeks and the new experiences I’ll gain during my internship!

Dumenia, 07.06.2025: A Day Trip to Belfast from Dublin

After an eventful and exciting first week at the Centre of English studies where we attended classes and explored Dublin, we traded the lively streets for a day in Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland. It was a chance to see another part of the island and learn a little bit about the complex history the two countries share.

Our first stop after the two-hour coach ride was the famous Belfast titanic Museum, it is located at the very site where the RMS Titanic and its sister ship the RMS Olympic were build over a century ago. The Museum was very striking and modern from the outside and resembled a ship’s hull. Once inside we were taken on a journey through the history of the titanic. From the incredible construction to the tragic events on the voyage. It was moving and educational and offered insights to the people, technology and the era behind the ship.

After the Museum and a group photo in Front of the city hall, we set out to explore the heart of Belfast. We enjoyed lunch together and had some free time to go to a few shops.

Our short trip gave us a glimpse into Belfast – its history and transformation. We returned to Dublin in the evening to have dinner together. We are excited to see what else the island has to offer.

Maé, 08.-11.06.2025: The Start of Our Internships

After a week full of new impressions, language lessons, and exciting excursions in and around Dublin, a new chapter began for us on Monday: the start of our internships. Full of anticipation, we immersed ourselves in Irish working life, curious to gain practical experience in a foreign language. Our internship placements are spread across Dublin and cover various fields such as administration, gastronomy, and retail. Even in the lively and sometimes chaotic traffic of Dublin, the common kindness of people is noticeable.

An interesting comparison is the work life in Switzerland and the working style that we experience here in Ireland. Most Irish people approach us in a casual and warm way, which has a positive effect on the work atmosphere. Many of us were warmly welcomed by our teams and integrated directly into the daily routines. This is a great opportunity not only to improve our English skills in a professional context, but also to discover new working methods and perspectives of this country.

After two intensive days at our internships, we were all looking forward to the group bowling evening on Tuesday. We were able to share our experiences and talk about our first days at our respective placements. It was interesting to hear how different the workflows and daily tasks are in the various companies.

Overall, the start of our internships has been successful. We have already learned a lot, made valuable friendships, and are looking forward to the coming weeks in Dublin, which will certainly bring us many more exciting experiences.

Scarlett, 12.-14.06.2025: My First Week at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin

The first week of our internship in Dublin has passed and it has been full of new experiences! I am currently working in the hospitality department at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with people from different cultures.

My main tasks include welcoming guests, serving food and drinks, preparing and cleaning tables, clearing dishes, and setting up cutlery. At first, I was a little nervous about working in such a professional environment, but my team made me feel welcome right away. They are friendly, supportive and always willing to help when I have questions.

I especially enjoy interacting with the hotel guests. It feels rewarding to help them have a pleasant stay and to be part of a good atmosphere. I’ve also learned how important it is to pay attention to details, stay organized and work as part of a team.

Besides the work, this week has also been about meeting new people. I’ve had some nice conversations with colleagues from Ireland and other countries, and it’s been interesting to learn more about their backgrounds and experiences.

Dublin is a lively city, and I’m looking forward to discovering even more in the coming days.

This first week has already taught me a lot about hospitality. I’m excited for what’s still to come!

Simon, 15.06.2025: Day-trip to Kilkenny Castle

Last weekend, we went on a trip to Kilkenny Castle. The day started with heavy rain, and honestly, it didn’t let up much. One moment it was just grey, the next it was pouring again. Typical Irish weather, I guess…

Luckily, once we got inside the castle, it was warm, dry, and full of history. The rooms were super detailed and felt surprisingly real, not like a museum but more like people had just walked out of them. We saw all kinds of old furniture, paintings, and even some pretty fancy decoration. The stories about the Butler family were actually quite interesting – even for those who don’t usually care much about that kind of stuff.

After the tour, we had some free time to explore. Since the rain had stopped, we walked around a bit and checked out a small market nearby with handmade local souvenirs. There were lots of cool little things – from knitted hats to carved wooden pieces. Some of us picked up a few gifts or just browsed around. We also got to see a bit more of the town before heading back.

Just about ten minutes before we had to get back on the bus, the rain returned – perfect timing, really. We made it through the best part of the afternoon without getting soaked again.

All in all, the trip was a great mix of culture, history, and just hanging out. It didn’t matter that the weather wasn’t perfect – what counted was the experience. In my opinion it was the highlight of all the activities we experienced!

Sara, 16.-17.06.2025: It’s our last week in Dublin.

Currently, we are in the second week of our internships. Together with Dumenia, I work at the Church Bar and Restaurant. We’re the only two in our group doing the internship at the Church. The people who work there are very kind and lovely. They explain everything we need to know so we can fulfill our tasks and learn how to blend in. I wouldn’t want to change my internship placement, because it’s really nice at the Church. The customers are friendly, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. What I enjoy most about the Church is that the employees get along so well with each other.

The tasks that Dumenia and I have to do include preparing and serving drinks, welcoming customers and talking to them, clearing tables and refilling stock, polishing glasses, and bringing food to the guests. On Monday, I even got to pour my first Guinness!

This internship comes with very different tasks compared to the jobs we do at home. It’s a good change for once, especially because it’s somehow easier to manage these tasks in a foreign country than our usual jobs.

Apart from work, we’ve been eating out a few times. We keep finding ourselves back at the Ramen Bar. We know it’s not traditional Irish food, but since we usually eat at our host family’s place, we sometimes enjoy a bit of variety. The ramen here is really good, but the portions are definitely made for two people!

While we’re on the topic of food, we’ve developed a bit of a doughnut addiction here in Dublin. We’ve been very loyal customers of “The Rolling Donut” and “Offbeat.” They sell amazing doughnuts, and every time we’re in the mood for something sweet after work, we treat ourselves. Our current favorite is the apple crumble one. It tastes like cinnamon, vanilla cream, and apple, the combination is a mouth explosion, just like the one in Ratatouille.

Tonight, we went to an escape room, where we split into two teams. One group tried to solve a murder case with Sherlock Holmes, and the other tried to break a witchcraft riddle. It was harder than we expected, but really fun. Both groups finished almost at the same time.

That’s it from my side. I hope you enjoyed it!

Selina, 18.-20.06.2025: Our penultimate day – what a time!

It’s amazing how quickly the three weeks here have passed! Tomorrow is our last day – and we can’t believe what we’ve experienced in such a short time.

On our second last day, we had another real highlight: we went to a traditional Irish restaurant – and were entertained by a real Irish dancing show! The dancers were really impressive, so much energy and power! The Irish music was also very impressive.

All in all, this language study trip was simply a great experience. Not only did we learn English, but we also got to know lovely people, tried out new things and grew even closer as a group. Even though we are now slowly preparing and looking forward to going home, we will take many great memories with us.

Vera, 20.-22.06.2025: Farewell, Dublin!

Thursday evening marked a special day of our language stay as we had a farewell dinner with Irish dancing in the heart of Dublin. The traditional music quickly filled the room, and soon the dancers took the floor with fast steps and bright costumes. We had a three-course meal of traditional Irish food: we could choose from meals like black pudding salad, vegetable stew with garlic potatoes, or lamb stew with mashed potatoes. Finishing one of our last days in Dublin like this was great.

Friday brought the final day of our internships. As I worked in a restaurant, I also had a traditional Irish meal for my last lunch. Because the atmosphere at work was welcoming and warm, it was a warm goodbye. As I left my internship placement for the last time. I felt grateful for the experiences I made.

On Saturday, 21. June, it was time to head home. We flew back as a group, with more than enough snacks by our side and sleepy smiles along the way. The sense of shared experience made the journey feel lighter, and the airport goodbyes were filled with warmth.

Landing in Zurich, we were welcomed by sunshine and a sky so blue we never had in Dublin. It was a perfect ending to the insightful three weeks. With a lot of memories in our minds and a bit of tired feet, we stepped back into our homes.

On Monday, 23. June, our daily life in Switzerland starts again. The last three weeks in Dublin will stay in my mind for longer.