Summer Internship in Galway City

Sydney Ward, Arkansas.

We were delighted to welcome Sydney all the way from Arkansas, USA to our office in Galway City this summer. Sydney was a wonderful addition to our office – This is what she had to say about her experience at Padhraic Harris & Co. Solicitors.

Hello! My name is Sydney Ward and for the summer of 2023, I have had the pleasure of interning here at Padhraic Harris & Co. Solicitors. I am a 21-year-old student from Arkansas in the United States. I will be beginning my fourth year of college at the University of Arkansas working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English with a minor focus in Legal Studies. After graduating college in May of 2024, I hope to be attend law school to pursue a Juris Doctorate and eventually become a qualified attorney in the United States.  

I was introduced to Padhraic Harris and Co. Solicitors and was placed in this internship through a program called AIFS Global Experiences, along with 17 other interns from around the United States and Canada. We will be receiving course credits at our universities for completion of the internship program as well as valuable work experience.  

My previous work experience includes interning in the United States House of Representatives as well as in a local Arkansas transitional living program for women leaving incarceration. My internship here at Padhraic Harris and Co. Solicitors has been my first true glimpse into a career in the legal field and has been a wonderful two months. I have had the opportunity to learn about the Irish legal system from all employees within the office and through accompanying solicitors to Court. One specific highlight from my time here is noticing the differences not only between the Irish and American law, but also the cultural differences in Ireland and seeing how this impacts the legal system. Overall, my summer here has been very eye-opening in the best way, and I know this experience will be invaluable to my future career.  

I am so grateful to Padhraic Harris and Co. Solicitors for giving me this opportunity. I cannot express how much I appreciate everyone’s kind welcome to the office and their patience and willingness to teach me about both the legal field and life around Galway. I am also very grateful for the trust and confidence they have had in me through allowing me to be a part of their team throughout the past two months. This internship has made my time in Ireland so great, and I know it is one I will never forget!