When I arrived in London for my connection to Dublin I had to go through UK immigration. When opening my passport the guy said so what brings you to Dublin. I didn't think much of the question so said "Visiting and a pharmacy rotation." A second later I realized that was a huge mistake. The man didn't understand what a rotation was and when I tried to explain it he assumed it was a general internship for which I needed a work visa. He asked for paperwork...which I had none. He finally gave me a 24 hour visa and said I would have to sort it out in Dublin. So for the next 6 hours of my layover all I could think of was how I was going to get out of this mess. I finally got to Dublin and I got to the Irish immigration place and the man immediately started to ask me what I was doing in Dublin, who I'm staying with (Elaine), how I know her (via email), how I know my preceptor (Liam) (via email/school). He didn't believe me when I said I wouldn't be "working" in the traditional sense. He asked me how I would support myself while in Dublin. Thank God my mom forced me to take cash instead of use my bank card because the guy was definitely taken aback by the wad I had in my wallet haha. He then insisted on calling Elaine and questioning her on what I would be doing there. He basically told her on the phone not to hold her breath for me to come into the country. He then was going to call Liam my preceptor but then asked me if I was getting any compensation while I was here. Clearly upset I responded "Absolutely Not! Not from Liam and nothing at all from Ireland!" He finally reluctantly stamped my passport and let me in. From there nothing interesting happend. Just took a bus from the airport to a hotel, where Elaine was there to drive me to her home.
Moral of the story for all the other students going to Dublin/abroad: You are there just to visit and absolutely nothing else.
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