The Nitty Gritties

Because I am lazy, and these need to be written down anyway:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my e-itinerary:

Delta Airlines 166 Class U
from Los Angeles Intl, CA (LAX) on Tue, 1/6/2009 at 0630
to New York,John F Kenn (JFK) on Tue, 1/6/2009 at 1452
Delta Airlines 164 Class U
from New York,John F Kenn (JFK) on Tue, 1/6/2009 at 1905
to Dublin, IE (DUB) on Wed, 1/7/2009 at 0705

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My courses are:

HI325E: History of Ireland
EN392: Modern Irish Literature

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My internship (provisional for now) placement:

COMPANY NAME: Maxmedia Communications

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Maxmedia has been established since 2003, specialising in both online and print publishing for a variety of companies. Bringing together almost 80 years’ publishing between its five key team members, Maxmedia Communications Limited’s clients include: Aer Lingus and its flagship title Cara, Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland, UCD and the IMI.

MISSION STATEMENT
Maxmedia has always prided itself on its attention to detail and its close working relationships with all of its clients. Maxmedia consistently strives to ensure that the client’s needs are met with accuracy, professionalism and a pursuit of excellence. One of Maxmedia’s primary objectives is to be able to adapt immediately to the changing needs of a competitive and commercial marketplace, including being able to combine the attributes of traditional media communications with the functionality and dynamics of an online environment.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Maxmedia works closely with clients to provide ideas for content and refresh design in keeping with clients’ requirements. Our attention to detail means that we can adapt to schedule changes and revisions of content at short notice. Maxmedia’s Creative Director will engage in regular reviews with clients to ensure that design remains fresh and innovative; while Maxmedia’s editorial team is committed to producing content that is in keeping with the tone and style of each client’s organization, in order to develop a product that is seen as best in class. Using a panel of well-known, experienced and highly talented writers, we also ensure that each page of content is researched, written, proofed and edited to a meticulously high standard.

COMPANY WEBSITE:
http://mediacube.ie/2008/01/23/maxmedia-communications-limited/

HOURS:
9-5.30pm

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Production and preparation of Cara Magazine (Aer Lingus' inflight magazine). Preparation of content and editing of content for Tourism Ireland's suite of sites. This often involves very labour intensive content migration tasks, etc, so attention to detail is very important. Picture research for a variety of projects. Good organisational skills are essential.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The number of people in the program: 43 (38 girls, 5 guys)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Preludes

Cue the orchestra, the piano, the Dropkick Murphy's or U2 - whatever suits you.

I'm boarding a plane to Dublin, Ireland in just about 13 days to study abroad for an entire semester! I thought about writing my first post after I had already arrived, but I thought that I might as well document what goes on in the preparation. Unfortunately, I have missed many key moments of this process. Ideally, I would have been able to chart the heights of my excitement when I first decided to apply after watching "Penelope" to actually being accepted into the program and seeing that beautiful green check next to "Program Deposit" on the website.

Alas, the burdens of school and the uncertainty of whether I would go laid heavily on me, and I have neglected the task of creating a blog until now. Even so, better late than never, as they say, so here it is! My Ireland blog!

This is just a brief introduction of the things to come: the emails, the emotions, the pictures, the internship experience, and most importantly, the travels. No need to overwhelm in the first entry after all, right?

So welcome, readers! If I am successful, perhaps the next few months will be just as real to you as it will be to me.

Cheers, with future delicious Guinness pints in mind.