About EIL

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.

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 with Hong Kong!

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.

Why you should study in Ireland!

Posing 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.

Aisling Heeran on why you need to volunteer in Vietnam!

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

Maeve Watson's volunteer experience working with disabled children in Mexico

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.

'Just Do It!-Ciara Spain's Experience in Vietnam'

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.

Jade's Indian Experience

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.

Paula Mc Donagh's 1st Impressions of India

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.

EIL Features on Newstalk's Global Village

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.

Nancy Ormond's Amazing Experience in Thailand

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 Tipperary Local Coordinator Hosts Exchange Student Get Together

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.

News and Events

Meine Erste Woche in Deutschland!

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

"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."

A deeper understanding of Irish Community

"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."

Understanding Northern Ireland

"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

"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."

Just before I go!!

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!!

Aine and Ciara on Newstalk

EIL Network Weekend

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.

Winter Newsletter 2011

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

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.

Photos and Videos

EIL offices from around the world meet in Morocco