Visit Ireland news

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."

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.

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

International Students Visiting Bunratty Castle in Ireland

A day out in Bunratty!: This is the international Secondary School community from South Tipperary and Callan. Students are living in the towns of Cahir, Cashel, Clonmel in Tip and Callan, Co. Kilkenny. On Saturday, 1st October 2011, Local Coordinator Susan Phelan took the student to the Bunratty Folk Park in Co. Clare, followed by a trip to the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick. It was a great day out for all who attended and a great opportunity for the teens to meet up with their international friends in the area whom they would not get to see very often as they are all in different schools and towns.This is the international Secondary School community from South Tipperary and Callan. Students are living in the towns of Cahir, Cashel, Clonmel in Tip and Callan, Co. Kilkenny. On Saturday, 1st October 2011, Local Coordinator Susan Phelan took the student to the Bunratty Folk Park in Co. Clare, followed by a trip to the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick.

Why you should study in Ireland!

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.

There's no place like home!

Host mothers welcome their students to Callan community as part of EIL's secondary school programme.

There's no place like home!: Host mothers welcome their students to Callan community as part of EIL's secondary school programme.Pictured below: Sylvia  Culleton and Alisa Benders of Germany & Sinead Molloy with Haley Hughes of the USA.

Update from Experiment Germany group in Clonmel

Today it was raining very heavily, so we did not go to the forest to work. Shay, our boss, showed us some sights in the Clonmel. We then went to the museum. After visiting the museum we went to McDonalds. We had drinks and ice cream there and we talked for an hour.

EIL's Co. Clare Local Coordinator and International Students Tour the Sites of the West of Ireland.

Co. Clare Students Day Trip on 22nd January 2011: Students of the Co. Clare host community in Ireland visit local sites as a group on a recent day trip organised by local coordinator, Pauline Maguire and host parent, Tom Dowling.22nd January, 2011. EIL International Students on the Secondary School in Ireland programme take a day trip together to visit local sites of importance in Co. Clare. Organised by Local Coordinator, Pauline Maguire, this was an opportunity for students to visit with one another and welcome new students who just joined the programme at the start of January and goodbye to two students who were leaving.