Lessons from Eireann

March 08, 2010

Stonehill students take home strength, independence, from their semesters in Ireland

Jeff Compagna '10 [pictured left], a communication major and journalism minor, lived in Dublin for three months, interning for John Gormley, a member of the Green Party and the Minister of Environment, Heritage and Local Government...

He didn't fetch one cup of coffee.

"One of the biggest differences is that in Ireland, the interns do real work. Over there, it's like you're another employee," he said.

The Stonehill senior spent a semester serving in one of the highest-profile departments of the Irish government getting a bird's eye view of politics and government not just in Ireland but also within the European Union.

Compagna responded to constituents about complaints and issues, conducted research, wrote letters, and was otherwise treated as a professional member of the department at the Customs House, a restored neoclassical 18th century building.

"Learning to live and work on my own in Ireland, far away from family and friends, meeting new people and adapting to a new culture where I could speak the language was incredible," he said.
"I feel prepared now to live away from my family. I feel more prepared to live and work in Boston, away from my parents," said Compagna.

"The people in Ireland were the friendliest people I've ever met. They're witty and fun to be around, even strangers are nice," he said.

Compagna, and other Stonehill students who spent a semester in Ireland, say the independence they gained, the cultures they were exposed to, and lessons they learned were invaluable.

English major Leanne Quinn '10 [pictured left] came to Stonehill four years ago a quiet, hesitant student, but credits Ireland with giving her more maturity.

She spent the fall 2009 semester studying literature at the University of Limerick in Castletroy. Quinn immersed herself in the culture of the Emerald Isle by joining a female Gaelic football team.

"Gaelic football is a uniquely Irish sport and a nice piece of culture that I would never have experienced anywhere else," according to Quinn.

The Gaelic Athletic Association, which promotes traditional games, has a membership of 800,000, making it one of the most influential cultural organizations on the island of Ireland.

"Joining the football team was, overall, the absolute best thing I could have done during the whole semester," Quinn said. "I set out to challenge myself and do something different; I wanted to push myself to go outside my comfort zone in Ireland."

Quinn said she gained strength and adaptability on the field that she brought back with her.

"When I came to Stonehill, I was unsure of myself. After going to Ireland last year, I began to see myself more as an adult. I became more confident in my own skills and what I can do-I was the only international student to join the team, and all the Irish girls were happy I joined."

Quinn recalled one night in particular where "everything seemed to come together."

"It was a night practice for Gaelic football. It was dark so the floodlights were on. The field was completely covered in mud, as were all of us. It was just one of those things where, right in the middle of a drill, wiping mud off my face, I thought to myself: ‘Wow. I'm actually here, all the way across the Atlantic ocean,'" she said.

Both Quinn and Compagna said their time in Ireland were integral parts of their respective Stonehill experiences.

"After going to Ireland, everything I've learned in college started to pull together. At this point I'm ready and excited to graduate," Quinn said.

Contact

For more information, contact Communications and Media Relations at 508-565-1321.