La Saint-Patrick est un jour férié important en Irlande puisqu’il symbolise un tournant de l’histoire irlandaise. Saint Patrick était un évangélisateur écossais qui a converti l’Irlande au christianisme au 9e siècle.

Lors du sermon au Roc de Cashel, il explique le concept de la Sainte Trinité (le Père, le Fils et le Saint-Esprit) aux irlandais à l’aide d’un trèfle, qui devint ainsi le symbole de l’Irlande. La métaphore « chassant à la mer les serpents » vient de la légende selon laquelle saint Patrick chassât tous les serpents du pays. Cette action symbolise la conversion du peuple irlandais au christianisme, les serpents étant les personnes aux croyances polythéistes celtiques irlandaises de l’époque.

Les irlandais étant très attachés à la religion, ils ont fait de cet évènement une fête nationale qu’ils célèbrent pendant plusieurs jours. À noter que si ce jour est un dimanche, le lundi qui suit est tout de même férié.

Bien que cet évènement soit propre à l’Irlande, il est célébré partout dans le monde, que ce soit au Canada, en Australie, en France ou encore aux États-Unis où Chicago se démarque en colorant sa rivière en vert.

Cette année Limerick a fait les choses en grand puisque le dimanche 16 mars, pour fêter le 44e anniversaire de l’International Band Championship ce n’est pas moins de 1000 musiciens qui se sont déplacés. Le 17 mars on pouvait compter plus de 70 000 spectateurs présents dans les rues pour le grand défilé de la Saint-Patrick.

Although Ireland is a country close to France, but the fact that it is an English speaking country created some cultural differences, especially in the professional business world.

In fact, since I started my internship I observed the existence of several cultural differences. Including being an intern for example. In France when we are trainees our scope is often limited to some simple and repetitive tasks, the fact of doing more things that we gave us is not tolerated. In Ireland it is the opposite, initially we have a quick briefing on the situation and purpose, we are free to the means employed to achieve it. And if we want to invest more by doing work that we are not requested it will only be well seen. In my business I'm really considered as a true employee, trainee status is imperceptible, I find it particularly rewarding.

Another thing that I noticed is the atmosphere within the company that is much more relaxed than in France. It must be said that the Irish have a relaxed and efficient way to work well with them. It is the same in terms of the hierarchy, it exists, but is not felt at all. How to receive customers and talk with them, it is really like talking with friends more than customers.

Working hours are also a difference as I begin to work every day at 9 am and debauchery 6 pm with one hour for the lunch time, on Friday it is the same thing exept that I finish to work at half past two. It is far from the organization that can be found in a French company.

The most important step when we have an internship abroad is to find an accommodation. It could be quite complex especially as we must do everything remotely before leaving or to do once we arrive on site.

Before to begin on the search for this property it is good to know what we want. We must still be reasonable, because this situation will take only three months, there is no need to invest for a short period. The first relevant criterion that can be establish is to know if we accept the principle of collocation or not. Naturally the question of the budget may provide an answer to this. However, do not overlook the possibility of a roommate because it allows you to meet people and thus enjoy a maximum immersion.

As mentioned previously, the housing search can be done remotely via the internet. This solution can be complicated and risky, because we can not ensure of its actual state or its geographical advantages (transport, shops, etc.). The alternative is to do everything on site. For people who tend to stress, this is perhaps not the right solution. Nevertheless, that allows you to visit the homes and you can realize if they are actually practices with respect to your work placement. The trick is to arrive in the country a few days or a week before the start of the course and take a hotel room or go to a hostel so you have time to find something.

In Limerick this research is not too complicated, as the city has several university towns to accommodate all students. However beware prices displayed because they do not take into account either the consumption of electricity nor hot water and can easily double the price per week. There are many apartments in the city, some may have a good price.

Finally, if you seem lost in this research should not hesitate to ask some help to your tutor, it could be unfortunate to pass up to a golden opportunity. If it still gives nothing do not forget that there are specialized websites for that in Ireland there eg Daft is particularly efficient.

After making nearly half of my internship at Pat Carrol & Company, a firm of chartered accountant and tax advisor established in 1998, it seems interesting to detail the tasks that have been entrusted to me, because they are interesting and give me a lot professionally.

My first mission, the most important is to set up and manage the image of the company on social networks to develop its reputation, it is E-marketing. The objective is to stay in touch with customers to see get back. To do this, one must understand how the visibility and traffic of a website or a blog work. Then you must use specific tools like Google safe browsing, dlvr.it or different plug-ins. Finally, it should publish regularly on social networks content by adapting it to fit the image of the company, it reaches the target, etc.. In one month, the traffic of the website and blog of the company has doubled.

My second task is to manage the French sector. That means to negotiate with banks, businesses, real estate agencies, etc.. But also meet clients in this sector. Moreover, from the second week I had to ensure an meeting with a client. It should also be able to analyze each situation, which are many, and resolve any contingencies as quickly as possible.

To conclude, this internship fills my expectations in any case I do not regret my choice. I also believe that it allowed me to analyze and understand the professional world and the expectations that employers have for their future employees. On an educational aspect, it allowed me to put into practice what has been seen in course, but also to learn new methods and new tools. 

You can visit the website of Pat Carroll & Company: Pat Carroll & Company

John Lackland is a historical figure belonging to the Plantagenet dynasty who lived during the 12th and 13th century. He is the son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was nicknamed John Lackland because he did not received some territory during the lifetime of his father.

The story of John Lackland left a trace in Ireland history. In his youth he spent eight months to govern the Lordship of Ireland. It was he who ordered the construction of the castle in the medieval area of Limerick, called King John's Castle.

He is known for having conspired against the king of England, his brother, Richard the Lionheart, when he left for his third crusade. When Richard was held captive in Austria, Jean took the opportunity to seize power. These are the historical events that inspired the legendary epic Robin Hood. When Richard was able to return to England, he forgives John and designated as his heir.

However, John appears clumsy with regard to some barons of Poitou, and he is accused of abducting Isabella of Angoulême. This earned him to be summoned to the court of France to answer charges brought against him. It will not present and this provoked the implementation of the commise (confiscation) by the King of France of all his continental possessions. This triggered a war between the King of France and Britain.

During the siege of the castle of Chalût-Chabrol in the Limousin, Richard the Lionheart died. Thus John became Duke of Aquitaine and Normandy and King of England. And he inherits of all the Plantagenet empire. But during five years, the empire left by his father found in greatly reduced since lost all mainland.

Once back in England Jean had to face to the revolt of the barons. The latter forced him to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. The latter limits the power of the king, it is still today the foundation of the British institutions. King John died in 1216, his son Henry, who succeeded him.