Exploring Innovation in Ireland
Culp states, “For me, interning at Grifols in Ireland wasn’t just about understanding international production processes; it was about realizing how deeply interconnected the global workforce is and how diverse perspectives can drive innovation.”
Grifols Worldwide Operations is a global healthcare company that specializes in producing medicines made from human plasma. Grifols Worldwide Operations collects plasma from donors, processes it and manufactures medicines that are then distributed to hospitals and clinics around the world.
Throughout the internship, Culp gained an understanding of regulatory standards that are crucial when working in the biomedical manufacturing world. Culp also highlighted that the summer experience extended beyond technical learning.
Culp immersed herself in Irish culture and exposed herself to Grifols operations across various plant locations such as Barcelona, California, North Carolina and Dublin. The way these facilities are connected showed Culp how the biomedical industry operates on a global level.
What Culp found most fascinating about Irish work culture was its strong emphasis on work-life balance. Culp also commented on navigating the immigration work process that required knowledge of Ireland’s legal and cultural aspects that she hadn’t experienced in the United States.
Reflecting on her work experiences in Ireland, Culp was interested in the multicultural environment that Dublin offered. “I wasn’t just interacting with Irish professionals but with colleagues from all over Europe.”
For students considering working abroad, Culp recommends embracing the opportunity because it offers unparalleled growth and personal development.