INTERNSPLUS is an educational consultancy that recruits and assists International students/graduates to find internships/work placements in companies in Ireland.  We specialise mainly in Erasmusplus which is an EU funded programme, but also coordinate a wide variety of other internship programmes. We arrange accommodation, English classes (if required), airport transfers and cultural programmes for a truly immersive experience. Our staff have over 30 years experience dealing with international students and provide total support throughout their stay in Ireland.

Our mission is to provide each and every student with a memorable and valuable experience. Taking into account their skills and preferences, we match them with reputable host companies who will provide them with a professional opportunity to gain valuable work experience, which will enhance their future career prospects. Our reputation for quality has made us one of Ireland’s leading internship Agencies. Please contact us if you have an internship requirement or need additional information.

1. Can you elaborate a little more on who you are and how INTERNSPLUS started ?

Our founder Margaret Purdy is a skilled professional and has worked in the international student sector for over 25 years. She brings a wealth of experience to INTERNSPLUS, having been involved in marketing, recruitment, project management, career development, training, and internships for international students for many years.

She identified a gap in the market for an agency that would provide quality work experience/internships for international students. The company was founded in 2012 and over the years has expanded the sectors that are available for internships and currently receives students from all over Europe. Our partner network increases year on year, many of them have worked with us for several years and have no hesitation in recommending us to new partners. We hope through WYSE to expand and meet new partners in USA and Canada as well as Europe.

2. You have been in business for a few years now. How do you think you have had to adapt to changing travel trends and stay relevant in the youth travel industry? 

During the Covid period, when international travel came to a halt, we introduced remote internships; it was very popular at that time and allowed internships to continue. Since then, many companies now work either fully remote or in a hybrid situation, so it continues to suit a need. We are continually looking for ways to improve our programmes and have now moved a lot of our interaction with students to online meetings, which means the meetings can be more frequent and students feel more fully supported at all times. We continue as always to offer 24/7 support.

3. How do your programmes help students integrate with local communities and cultural experiences in Ireland? 

A big part of our programmes is that we arrange homestays so students live with an Irish family. This is a truly immersive experience where they get to experience daily life, share the family meals, and interact with the family on a daily basis. We inform all of our students about popular touristic sites they can visit outside Dublin and offer to make reservations on their behalf at discounted rates. We can also recommend nice restaurants, bars, museums, and art galleries in the Dublin area and also put them in touch with other interns in Dublin.

4. Are there any thoughts or updates you would like to add? 

An internship continues to be one of the most important things a student can do. Research shows that students/graduates that have some work experience in the form of an internship stand out to potential employers. Working as an intern offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience, engage with potential employers, build contacts, enhance their resumes, and gain a competitive edge.  An internship is a great introduction to an industry or a role that a student thinks they want to pursue; at the very least, it will show the intern whether this is the right industry/sector for them and, at the same time, show them the difference in the academic world between being a student and being an employee/trainee in a company.