I have now completed my first week of my internship at the Clarion Hotel where I am working in the Human Resources. The hotel is very close to the apartments, its about a 10-15 minute walk, and I've learned to wear sneakers and changed into dress shoes at work so that my nice shoes don't go ruined in the rain and I can walk faster!
My first day on Tuesday went well, I met my boss Patrick the HR Manager, who is also the only member in the department. The hotel is staffed with right around 100 people, so it is not huge, but a good size, still small enough you see many of the same friendly faces throughout the day. I went on a tour of the hotel which was very impressive, and work in the office the rest of the day. Since Patrick is the only HR staff member, I help him out with whatever jobs he has for me. He is very good at explaining everything along the way about HR and how it all relates, and also explained that this week I would be doing more parts of the tedious office work than usual so I can learn how to do it, and will be involved in more hands on work later on. For the most part I did filing, payroll, putting together employee starter packs and training material, and attended a meeting with Patrick on Wednesday. Monday we will be meeting with a new employee and going through the starter pack and paper work so that soon I will be able to do this with new employees on my own. Overall I had a great first week. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, and once again I am being well taken care of at the hotel.
Tomorrow, me and the Sophie the other student that is currently living with us until Sunday are taking a day trip to Bray to see the gardens at Powerscourt, Bray is about a 25 minute train ride south. Our plan is to check out the gardens and then the shore along Bray, and if we have time the aquarium, but I will most likely save that for another day. Also in the evening tomorrow I am meeting with other students just like me doing internships in Dublin through the InterNational program. I am really looking forward to meeting other students, or at least people closer to my and I hope I will make some friends! I'm sure karaokee will follow with my host family!
Today also I was looking into travel options for after my internship. I am staying an extra week to travel and I have started looking into flights and rail passes. Right now I am looking into a 5 day pass that includes, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Greece. I have really been wanting to go to Slovenia and Montenegro, and now Greece since it is included in the pass, if I have time Bulgaria would be cool too! So that is something exciting I am starting to look into! As for Ireland I wanted to see the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway. Travel within Dublin, even Europe for the matter is relatively cheap compared to the states. There are tours that include travel and guides for both places for good prices and I am looking into those. Also Lorraine wants to take me to Kilarney and a few other places around the country, so I am looking forward to that as well! A trip to the Guinness Brewery is in the near future, along with checking more of the city here and there throughout my 3 months!
One thing I learned today:
Canteen is referring to the staff break room....not something you get water from!
Me with Molly Malone!
Updated photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2650132&id=13747907&l=4ace24bb4c
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2652600&id=13747907&l=d5e2422785
