At 19 years old, I have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take my passion for education across the world to Ireland. An experience that could truly shape my future. Ireland is extra special to me because I have Irish roots on my dad’s side of the family, making this journey deeply personal as well as professional.

My name is Jennifer Dempsey, and I am a student at Laurentian University in Sudbury, currently in my second year of Concurrent Education, majoring in English with a minor in History. Becoming a teacher has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and every step of my education has been guided by that goal.

This May,I have been accepted to travel to Ireland for one month through an international education internship program. The program provides housing as well as breakfast and dinner each day, allowing me to focus fully on learning and professional growth. I will work as an education administration intern at a school, gaining hands-on experience and returning home with a portfolio of my learning and a letter of recommendation. This experience will help set me apart as I continue toward a future in education.

Although housing, breakfast, and dinner are included, this is an unpaid internship, and the cost of living in Ireland is higher than in Canada, especially when converting Canadian dollars to euros. Everyday expenses like lunches, public transportation, and basic necessities add up quickly, and educational travel on weekends adds further costs. Even with meals and housing provided, daily transportation and spending money for activities make this experience financially challenging for a 19-year-old student.

In addition, I will be traveling across the world and living abroad entirely on my own for the first time, which is both exciting and intimidating. Being so far from home without my friends and family makes this opportunity feel scary, and having financial and emotional support would help elevate some of that stress and allow me to fully focus on learning and growing from this experience.

As a full-time university student, I am unable to cover these costs on my own. Any support will help with essential expenses including the large program fees, airfare, lunches, daily transportation to work, and educational travel during my time abroad.

I am deeply grateful for any support!! whether through a donation, sharing this page, or simply cheering me on. Thank you for helping me take a meaningful step closer to my dream of becoming a teacher and this once in a lifetime opportunity.

With heartfelt thanks,

Jen