Age: 24

What work did you do while on the program?

I worked as a waitress in the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. I heard about the job at my orientation in Dublin and after looking for work in Cork, I decided to check it out. I worked a split shift and had two days off, usually together, every week making it easy to take day trips around Killarney. Also, most of my co-workers were my age and on working holidays as well, so it was a great chance to make a lot of friends.

What was your accommodation?

I found a room to rent my second day in Killarney, just an hour after my job interview. It was a nice, clean house owned by a really nice couple, but I just didn't find it all that comfortable (there was a stuffed ferret above the television as well as a lot of other dead animals that I found a little creepy). So, I moved into a house with a few friends from work where I was quite happy.

Did you travel while you were there?

I traveled every chance I had, taking several short day trips along the Ring of Kerry. A friend flew in from the States we rented a car and traveled all around Killarney, east to Cork and then up to Galway, and back down to the Cliffs of Moher. I highly recommend traveling by car. I then took a week from work and flew to Brussels with three friends. We took a train to Amsterdam and spent a few days. I wish I had taken more time to travel around Europe as I had originally planned, but I was having such a good time in Killarney that it was difficult to leave.

What is your top tip for future participants?

Be prepared. You don't need to have a job lined up, or housing, but I think it's important to prepare yourself for the possibility of things not happening just right. And be open to taking any sort of job.

What do you miss about your host country?

Absolutely everything. My friends and housemates most of all, and the feeling of total independence I had while living there. I felt incredibly confident knowing I had accomplished everything-- finding a job, house and friends-- all on my own.

What did you miss about the USA?

Certain conveniences such as my car, 24-hour shops and restaurants, and Mexican food, but that was just when it was pouring rain and I had to walk to work, or when I had certain late night cravings. I otherwise adjusted quite well to Irish life.

What's your best story from your travelling?

One day before the weather turned too cold I traveled up from Killarney to Killorglin by car with several of my co-workers. They all spoke Russian. I don't. It was one of my more interesting experiences while over there. They had difficulty and mostly just didn't want to bother taking the time to translate their conversations to me, so I was a bit lost the whole day. We parked in the middle of the woods and then hiked to cliffs overlooking the ocean. It was amazing and that was easy to understand in any language.