EIL Intercultural Learning | Enriching lives, inspiring global citizenship

Featured Programme

Volunteer Abroad: Mexico

Mexico is a country of huge contrasts comprised of almost two million square miles of coastline, white sandy beaches, desert, rain forest, mountains, fertile plains and one of the world largest cities. While some regions of the country are very wealthy there is ongoing concern about inequitable income distribution and the limited advancement opportunities for the largely indigenous population in the impoverished southern states. Volunteering in Mexico focuses on those living in poverty. Volunteers can make a valuable contribution in communities that are in danger of being left behind as a result of poverty, abuse of the environment and lack of economic opportunities.

Volunteer Abroad: Peru

Peru is a growing country, but there are still many living in poverty. Spend some time in Peru in one of our volunteer programmes, and you will get to know the cultural richness of the country while volunteering in a local project supporting people from a disadvantaged background.

Volunteer Abroad: Nepal

The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, rich cultural heritage and its friendly people. With the vast majority of its population relying on small-scale agriculture, Nepal is also a country facing significant development challenges. Volunteers work in a range of village-based projects with local people. Safety is a key factor - only projects in safe locations have been chosen. Participants experience the traditional way of life, the culture and the beauty of Nepal, while engaging in an exchange of ideas and work practices in these struggling communities.

Volunteer Abroad: Argentina

Argentina has long held a romantic draw for travelers, with its vibrant culture, cosmopolitan cities and stunning scenery. The economic collapse of 2001 has left the country in financial ruin, but has not affected the hospitality of its people. The country is currently recovering from the economic crisis but poverty and social problems are still very much a reality in Argentina. Volunteers work in some of the most interesting and attractive locations in the country in schools and community-based organisations.

Volunteer Abroad: Internships in China

Targeted towards students and graduates interested in gaining knowlege and hands on experience in areas related to graphic design, architecture and hospitality, an internship in China offers meaningful work experience.

Volunteer Abroad: Volunteer with a team in Guatemala

What better way to spend a few weeks this summer than by getting on a plane and travelling to Guatemala to volunteer on a local community project while learning Spanish, hiking volcanoes and trekking through the countryside? By volunteering in Guatemala your group can help a struggling indigenous community while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of local people, the richness of their culture and learn more about the challenges they are facing.

Study Abroad: Summer Camp in Italy!

If you want something fun and educational for your teenager this summer, look no further than this Summer Camp in Italy. An international summer camp for teenagers aged between 13 - 16 as well as for young adults camp for ages 16 - 20, all those attending language tuition in the mornings followed by a comprehensive activity and excursion programme in the afternoons, evenings and nights. Parents have piece of mind knowing they are fully supervised 24 hours on its private camp village.

Study Abroad: Become an exchange student in France!

Ideal for Transition Year students, this programme is held during the academic year and gives Irish students the opportunity to improve their French and learn about French life first-hand. For as little as 6 weeks up to a full academic year, students will attend a French Lycée, stay with a local host family and live the life of an average French teenager. This selective programme offers full immersion into the life, language and culture of France.

Study Abroad: Learn German in Lindenberg!

Study German with other international teenagers and an all inclusive residential German language institute. This intensive course for students ages 14 - 17 offers 30 lessons per week for as little as 2 weeks or for several months. Students stay in shared dormitories and have a full programme of activities and excursions to keep busy outside of class time. Fully supervised 24 hours a day, the centre offers piece of mind for parents and fun while learning fluency for students. Available all year long!

Study Abroad: Study in the Land of the Rising Sun - Suwa, Japan!

Study Japanese in this rural town on the shores of Lake Suwa. The Nagano Prefecture has been welcoming Irish students from EIL for the past 15 years to study the Japanese language and experience its rich cultural heritage. Each programme is entirely flexible in terms of dates and duration and includes a unique schedule of activities and excursions. Living with a Japanese family, students are immediately immersed in Japanese family and home life, and quickly become part of the family. This is a truly unique travel and educational experience, only available through EIL.

News and Events

I'm Going on an Adventure!

So the big day is basically less then 24 hours away now, I've been trying to absorb as much japanese knowledge as I can, both culturally and linguistically because I want to impress (and more importantly survive) during my time in Japan.

7 days

Up all night, got lucky

My name is Oisín O’ Callaghan and this is my first blog for EIL, my first ever actually, and the first of many I should hope, unless I’m really bad at them. Which, I hope, I’m not.

"Something Positive Will Blossom"

CIT Student Adam Peerbux updates us on his progress as a volunteer in Jaipur

Wonderful Opportunity

Agnieszka Sendur, a mature student from NUIG, is making her last minute preparations for her Travel Award programme this summer in Guatemala...

"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things".

Travelling abroad always stirs up a storm of emotions. First of all the sun shines and you are overcome by feelings of excitement at the thought of the impending adventure. This is followed by a shower of feelings of doubt, fear and anxiety. Once abroad, you often encounter the eye of the storm, but that is for another blog!

Currently I am suffering from a hurricane state in which many emotions are intermingling and interacting, presenting a very confused me!

Blog 1, 18.51pm Day 1 in Big Brother House Nepal!

I sit perplexed and still as I watch the red sun disappear behind the mountains. My bare feet warm against the pale tilled roof then beeeppppp..... I snap out of my trance and I'm quickly reminded that I'm not on holidays but in bustling Kathmandu. On arrival one would think that this is a chaotic city but this appearance can be somewhat deceiving.

It was late on Sunday June 2nd that Anna and I landed into Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu. Prior to my travels, my knowledge on Nepal was rather limited.

"It is not someone else's problem. This is everybody's problem."

Tomorrow is Irish AIDS Day. In Ireland, 6629 people & their families have affected by HIV. It is easy to associate HIV and AIDS solely with developing countries. However, it is a global issue that can affect anyone, anywhere. HIV seems to have slipped off our agenda. Coverage of HIV and AIDS in the Irish media has declined since the 1980s despite it still being a threat to society.

The latest from Chiang Mai...

"Time is flying and we have so much planned ... We are already dreading the goodbyes. It is a wonderful place"

Sorcha O'Rourke and Aine Mooney in Chiang Mai, Thailand, update us on how their volunteer experience is going so far.

Making Trade Fair!

"Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. It offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping."

Announcements

We wered delighted to see all our Travel Awards winners in Cork for the day for their Pre-departure Workshop.We wish them all the best on their travels over the coming weeks and months.

Travel Awards Pre-departure workshop: With Dan Far, Emily McCormack, Laura Mc Loughlin, Alexander Haidurov, Cecilia Gamez Campanella, Declan Burgess, Deirdre McAdams, Amy Byrne and Kevin Hickey at EIL Intercultural Learning.

New Volunteer Opportunity for Animal Lovers in Jaipur, India!

This project offers a unique opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the Indian domestic elephant and their relationship with their mahout. You will not only learn how to ride an elephant but also how to care for these intelligent, gentle giants.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn about the traditional life of the mahouts and join in with various communal activities. To find out more and register your interest contact us with your questions.

EIL offering a fantastic opportunity to 15-17 years old to volunteer in the Himalayas of India for two weeks this summer.

Himachal Pradesh Landscape

Check out our new Under-18 Programme here

Enough Food for Everyone IF

We're supporting the #IF campaign. Are you?

The 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is fast approaching. The first MDG aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

The #IF campaign is calling on G8 leaders to urgently address land grabs, corporate tax-dodging and corporate and government transparency in the global south.

EIL's Development Education Committee focused on global food issues as the subject of March's Network Weekend. Continuing this conversation, we're interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas as to why in a world which produces enough food for everyone, not everyone has enough food...