President Kennedy addressing an EIL group from around the world in The White House a few months before he died.

The international organisation The Experiment in International Living has been promoting peace and international co-operation from it's founding in 1932. Since it came to Ireland over 30,000 people have taken part in our travel and learning opportunities.

As a not for profit organization EIL invests any surpluses in travel awards and scholarships.

EIL Network weekends take place in April and November of each year during which returned participants take part in a series of discussions and workshops.

EIL's Volunteer Abroad programme engages Irish citizens in international development work, improving lives and oppotunities.

About EIL

EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish "not for profit" organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, volunteer abroad, language training, travel awards, group educational programmes, and other cultural immersion activities for about 2,000 people each year.

Based on principles of experiential learning (learning by doing), EIL programmes are designed to provide tools to survive and thrive in another culture or in a different language, to foster personal development, to build communication and leadership skills, and to be active citizens in an interdependent world.

In short the aim of EIL Intercultural Learning is to enrich lives and to inspire global citizenship.

EIL news

Tralee twins wiith Hong Kong: Rowena Maddock, EIL's Travel Award winner to Hong Kong with Nicky Tang, August 2011.In the month of March this year my Youthreach co-ordinator Margaret Culloty nominated me for a Travel Award to Hong Kong through the not-for-profit organisation EIL Intercultural Learning. I had never travelled anywhere abroad before apart from Britain so it was a huge opportunity for me.

Students enjoying the outdoors in Ireland!: This is the Waterford/ Tramore host community, Local Coordinator and trip organised by Bernie Crehan. They went to Dunmore East Adventure centre, where they went on pedal boats, water games, kayaking, Rock climbing and Archery. (Not in order pictured) are: Victor Ferreira from Brazil, Jean Pettiaux and Pauline Lambert from Belgium, Frieder Haase,Jonathan Quass, Ebba Neuser, Johanna Oberhaus, Franka Glowienka and Hanna Fuhr from Germany, Victor Boissere from France, Frederik Stender and Patrick Schkrock from Germany and Fernando Carvalho from BrazilPosing for the camera before getting into the refreshing Irish seas. Secondary students from all around the world take a break from their studies in Ireland and do  something different for their weekend.

My name is Aisling Heeran and I am a student from Leitrim.  This summer I decided to do some volunteer work in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam for 6 weeks and I can definitely say that I’m delighted that I made the decision.  Before departing I was all excited, eager to explore the unknown and discover new traditions and a new way of life but when I arrived the first thing I discovered was that I wasn’t as brave as I thought I was!!  I spent 2 sleepless nights wondering what I was doing in this warm humid country, thousands of miles away from home.  I felt very alone a

I was lucky enough to be accepted to work with disabled children in Amecameca, Mexico, even though I did not know any Spanish. When I first arrived, it was a little daunting because I did not understand what people were asking me to do and I struggled to communicate with the children, as well as those who I was working with. However, Mexican people are extremely friendly and could not have been more welcoming. My family welcomed me with open arms and from day one treated me as one of them.

When I declared to my family and friends that I would be volunteering in Vietnam I was met with an air of concern. As I’m only 19 it did seem a bit strange to everyone that I wasn’t so keen on a 3 week trip to Ibiza with my friends. However after a long chat with Anton from EIL I felt totally reassured and more eager than ever to take on the expedition. I had previously volunteered in Kenya and Namibia on school building projects. From these trips grew an urge to work more with children.

Indian children: A photo of a group of Indian children.Well after traveling 23 hours two connecting flights and two Indian bus rides which was an experience!.. We finally arrived in Himachal. The smells and humidity of Delhi and Jaipur will never be forgotten. Trying to sleep in 49 degree heat without A.C and a basic fan blowing the hot air around the room will not be missed!. The scenery of the beautiful back drop of the snowy Himalayan Mountains when you open your door in the morning would take your breath away.

27th of June: Start of My Trip: My big, exciting and at times quite scary adventure started today. The plane journey was quite enjoyable with minimal problems, slept a lot and the in-flight entertainment was good. On the flight I got my first impressions of the Indian people, they come across as very upfront and blunt, which I'm sure my friends would find quite hypocritical coming from me ha, but they do tend to take it to a whole new level. It can take awhile to get used to but it is genuinely just there way.

Well done to Aine Carroll, Ciara O'Meara and  James O'Connor of Open Heart House who were interviewed on Newstalk's "Global Village" about the work of the EIL Global Awareness Programme and of Open Heart House in Dublin. A really great listen... provides some fantastic information and perspective. Brilliant job guys! You can listen in here, the interview is at the start of Part 2.

I left the Irish midlands in January 2011 to take up my first placement as a volunteer in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. I travelled alone with a mixture of apprehension, excitement and considerable optimism. I had been in Thailand before and knew I would return. Wad, the in-country coordinator met me at the airport and after a short drive to the volunteer house, followed by a short rest, he orientated me to help make my settlement easier.

South Tip Local Coordinator, Susan Phelan, hosts a get together for her community of EIL Secondary School exchange students on January 15th, 2011. Both new arrivals to Ireland and old students who've been in Ireland since August got together to meet, greet with each other and socialise after the busy Christmas and New Year season. South Tipperary  Exchange Student Get Together - January 2011: Group photo of EIL Secondary School Student in South Tip community at Susan Phelan's home in Clonmel

News and Events

Wow what a week!!! I can't believe I'm saying this but at last I am in Germany und Ich lieberman Deutschland. I can hardly believe that one week has already passed. It has gone by so quickly and I have loved every minute. On Tuesday 24th January I flew into Frankfurt where I was met by two lovely gentlemen called Herman and Martin who worked for experiment ev. We then had to wait on a girl from brazil called

"I finally felt like an insider during my stay. I was in a home with a family and I enjoyed the feeling of security that comes with being with a family. I also learned about Irish culture by talking to the family and their friends and neighbours. They clued you in on the ins and outs of life here and it was refreshing. I also felt better knowing I could ask as many questions about life here and know I wouldn't be judged or viewed as an annoying visitor but as a friend."

"I gained a deeper understanding of Irish community My host mom and I would sit around the dinner table after we ate and talk about her children's education, taxes, their financial situation, love and marriage, grocery shopping and many more random subjects as they came up. Also, I picked up on a lot more Irish sayings from my family, which is awesomely helpful for meeting more Irish people and actually understanding what they mean."

"I really don't think you can understand the complexity of the situation, past & present, in Northern Ireland until you come and talk to people on all sides & perspectives. This trip has really helped me to see the conflict more from a perspective of what it must have been like to experience it instead of seeing it more abstractly as a series of political interactions."

"Every talk, lecture and tour was fantastic! Each lecturer brought a different aspect and perspective to the discussion on conflict in Northern Ireland. In particular I loved the tour of Stormont  - meeting the politicians was a unique and memorable experience."

Only one more day left and then I will be starting my adventures in Germany!! :D Im so excited, I cant wait! I have all my bags packed and Im ready to go. I still cant believe that I was lucky enough to recieve this scholarship from EIL. Its the trip of a lifetime and Im delighted that EIL have given me this opportunity and for that I would like to sincerely thank them. Zwei Monaten in Deutschland. Klasse!!

Well done to Aine Carroll, Ciara O'Meara and  James O'Connor of Open Heart House who were interviewed on Newstalk's "Global Village" about the work of the EIL Global Awareness Programme and of Open Heart House in Dublin. A really great listen... provides some fantastic information and perspective. Brilliant job guys! You can listen in here, the interview is at the start of Part 2.

Location: Dublin
Time: 21 April 2012 - 11:00am - 22 April 2012 - 2:30pm

Twice a year (in April and November) EIL Network members and staff meet for practical and informative workshops, debates and activities on global issues and lots of fun at the network weekends. The next Network weekend will take place in Dublin on the 21st and 22nd of April.

EIL Network Weekend November 2011: November 2011-Network Members participating in a street action on Patrick st. in Cork, to encourage others to sign the petition "Europe! Hands off our Medicine". To find out more visit: https://action.msf.org/en_CH



The Development Education Winter issue has just been published! Check it out here

We had a student get - together last Saturday in Ennis. It was a great opportunity for students from all around the globe to meet up, have some fun and chat aout how they're getting on here in Ireland.

Into the West - and laughing all the way!: We had a student get - together last Saturday in Ennis. It was a great opportunity for students from all around the globe to meet up, have some fun and chat aout how they're getting on here in Ireland.Blessed with fantastic weather, the students met up outside Clare Museum and were met by the wonderful tourguide Jane.  They learned a little of Irish, and specifically County Clare history.The tour lasted for about one and a half hours, which was timed well for our retreat to McDonalds !!.  After eating, we all went our separate ways, some had other arrangements for the afternoon - but needless to say, many of the girls went for a little 'retail therapy'. All in all, a lovely, sunny and sociable get-together.Pauline - local coordinator

Photos and Videos

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Street Smart, Dehra Dun, Uttrakand
Snowy Cork view from EIL
Intern at EIL Office in Cork
Cobh Heritage Center - Statue
Roches Point - Amazing view!
Intern at EIL Office in Cork
Caterina Totaro
Anton Kieffer
EIL offices from around the world meet in Morocco
EIL offices from around the world meet in Morocco