Building skills, broadening horizons: Two Rowan students reflect on summer internships in Ireland
Building skills, broadening horizons: Two Rowan students reflect on summer internships in Ireland
August 19, 2026
Shop Street in the Latin Quarter of downtown Galway, Ireland. Photo courtesy of Riley Milone.
Through an internship program offered by American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), two Rowan University students spent the summer in Galway, Ireland, discovering opportunities beyond the classroom.
What it takes to run a small business
Entrepreneurship means wearing many hats, a lesson Riley Milone learned during his summer internship with Grá Chocolates in County Galway. Seeking international experience and practical business skills, the rising senior worked for the artisan chocolate company founded by pastry chef and entrepreneur Gráinne Mullins.
Milone, who is pursuing a degree in economics and a certificate of undergraduate study (CUGS) in creative industries entrepreneurship, got a firsthand look at what it takes to operate a small business.
“I learned how many different responsibilities go into running a business,” Milone said, noting that entrepreneurs must constantly communicate with suppliers, vendors, customers and staff.
He also learned that running a small company requires flexibility and a willingness to take on many tasks.
“My first day, I helped load a truck. Then I learned how to package chocolates and fill customer orders. Later, I worked on retailer and supplier agreements and communicated with business partners,” he said. “Everyone kind of does a little bit of everything.”
Outside of work, Milone immersed himself in life in Galway. He enjoyed traditional Irish music in neighborhood pubs, ran a community 5K race and navigated the bus system for his daily commute. Eager to explore, he purchased a used bicycle and discovered neighborhoods and waterfront paths. On weekends, he traveled throughout Ireland, including Dublin and the country's coastal regions, and visited London with fellow students he met through the program.
The experience helped him explore potential career paths while meeting new people and seeing a different part of the world.
“Going abroad gets you outside your normal routine and opens you up to new experiences,” he said. “I think everyone should try it. It’s definitely worth it.”
A clearer plan for the future
For Joseph Rozier, his summer internship provided both international experience and a clearer vision for his future career in financial planning.
Rozier, a finance and accounting double major enrolled in Rowan’s 4+1 master’s of science in finance program, spent the summer interning with Tri Everest, a boutique wealth management firm in Galway.
"I really wanted the opportunity to say I studied abroad before I left college," Rozier said. "It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for."
Working alongside a small team, Rozier helped create financial plans for clients, conducted investment research and contributed to portfolio review presentations. One of his largest projects involved redesigning a biannual client presentation, requiring extensive research, data analysis and the development of tools the firm can continue using in the future.
The experience reinforced his interest in wealth management while teaching him an important lesson about working with clients.
Rozier said his time at Tri Everest taught him that you can understand all the financial data in the world, but if you can't explain it in a way that makes sense to a client, it doesn't actually help them.
“Learning how to properly communicate with different clients—that was the best thing I learned during the internship,” he said.
The experience also influenced his long-term goals. Rozier said his internship at Tri Everest strengthened his desire to one day open his own financial planning firm—but, beyond that, he’d like to learn more about estate planning. That way, his firm can continue serving clients even after they retire.
Outside of work, he explored Ireland and traveled throughout the United Kingdom and France. He visited Dublin, Cork and Belfast, toured the Irish countryside, poured his own Guinness and even spent time at a sheep farm.
Looking back, Rozier said the experience expanded his perspective on both his career and the world.
"I'm grateful I've had this experience so early in my life," he said. "It's a big world and I have a lot that I still want to explore."
From a chocolate company to a wealth management firm, the two internships offered different paths to the same outcome: professional experience, an international perspective and a glimpse into future opportunities.
How can Rowan University students learn more about international internships and study abroad programs?
Rowan offers opportunities through exchange programs, faculty-led programs and third-party providers including AIFS, WorldStrides and other Rowan partners. Students interested in study abroad and international internships should contact studyabroad@rowan.edu.