"Being in Dublin re-ignited my passion for service. Over the past year I have become very wrapped up in my own personal issues (and rightly so) but being thousands of miles away from home has allowed me to move on with my life and continue to carry out my beliefs. This has personally been an amazing experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity."

–    Rob Gambuzza

"My experience in Ireland has been exhilarating as well as life changing. Throughout my time here I have encountered many wonderful experiences but none that was as eye opening as when I worked in the soup kitchen. I was immersed into working with the poor and hungry instead of looking at them from a distance. I saw the beauty and humility  that they possess and felt the spirit and intentions of St. Vincent de Paul alive and doing well here in today’s age."

–    Matthew LaBolle

"My experience in Dublin has been a very positive one and one of the most enjoyable experiences of life thus far. Being able to live in another country thousands of miles away from home, really opened my eyes to another culture that I was not familiar with. Visiting various sites around the city such as Dublin Castle and the different churches to seeing the cliffs of Moher in the country and Blarney Castle all gave me a better image of what Ireland was like. Learning about famous Irish authors such as James Joyce and religious figures like St. Vincent de Paul also gave me a better understanding of what it is the Irish people and country were like and how much it has changed. Getting a chance to not only learn about what these men did, but also engage in similar activities such as working in a soup kitchen (St. Vincent) or walking down an old street described in one of Joyce’s stories, all provided me with a fun and educational experience here in Dublin and the rest of Ireland."

–    Nicholas Cordoso

"Since arriving in Ireland many of my views on charity and compassion have changed for the better. I have witnessed an unbridled generosity bursting forth from the Irish people for everyone. From the foreigners, to the homeless, the Irish seem to be helping everyone they can. I never would have guessed that Dublin would have opened my eyes to a world of kindness."

–    Mark Yassa

"While in Ireland, I knew I would be learning about the Vincentians because I opted to take the class. But I had the opportunity to learn so much more by going to the hostel, working in the soup kitchen, because I was able to interact with the people and actually get to know some of them. Some of the people at the soup kitchen recognise me now when I go in to work there and they let me know how excited they are to see me. It’s so touching to know that someone is looking forward to seeing you and remembers you, because I feel like I have made some sort of impact in their life. I’ve found that people are more appreciative to have someone to talk to and smile with rather than to have someone to clean up after them. Those few days at the soup kitchen gave so much more meaning to my time here in Ireland, which has truly been unbelievable."

–    Gillian Astarita