Secondary School in Ireland

The Secondary School Programme to Ireland is open to international students between the ages 15 and 17 who already have a reasonable level of English. Students gain a thorough understanding of Irish culture through living as a temporary member of a carefully selected host family while continuing their education at a local secondary school. Participants applications are screened and placed in one of 13 host communities dotted around the country. Each community has an appointed local coordinator who is a part of the EIL team and mentors and supports the student and the host family for the duration of the programme. Students must show a flexible attitude and be prepared to be located anywhere in Ireland including rural locations.

Students can choose from programme lengths of one term (up to Christmas break), two terms (August up to Easter break) or a full year with start dates at the end of August and start of January each year. Alternative periods can be arranged on special request.

High School in Ireland

What is included in the programme

  • An on-arrival orientation covering programme issues, cultural introduction to life in Ireland, living in a host family, culture shock.
  • Full board and lodging with a host family for the duration of the academic semester or year. All families will be interviewed and selected on the basis of their interest in educational exchange and their ability to provide a positive home environment. Host families in Ireland are paid a hospitality allowance.
  • Enrollment in a local Secondary School
  • Return transfers from the recommended arrival airport to the host community.
  • Support and counseling services by the local EIL representative and/or EIL staff member.
  • 24 hour emergency telephone support from the EIL office in Cork.

What is not included in the programme

  • Flights
  • Independent travel costs for any day trip away from the host family.
  • Supplies for school (stationery, pens, school bag etc.), uniform and text books. Students will be advised regarding their purchase on arrival.
  • Pocket money (approx. €200 per month recommended) for personal use on items such as clothing, cinema, cosmetics and all phone calls and internet use.
  • Costs for any school trips or excursions, transition year programme costs
  • Cost of transportation from host family to school.
  • Insurance can be provided and arranged at an additional cost.

Further information

For students interested in applying please contact us and we would be happy to inform you which of our regional partners are located closest to you.

For overseas partners looking to establish a link to Ireland please contact us for a copy of our partners agreement and more complete information about all aspects of the programme.

Our Secondary School in Ireland students are already exploring!

On 27th August, 2016 students from all over the world arrived in Ireland to begin their Secondary School in Ireland programme. Based in communities all over the country, these students live with Irish host families and attend Irish Secondary Schools. Each student has embasrked an individual advernture...but by the looks of it, our Waterford students have already begun exploring Ireland's wilderness. Check out this photo of a recent hike they took up the Comeragh mountain! We look forward to hearing more about how they are enjoying their time in Ireland, and adventuring even further into the...
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Completing the Journey

A few months ago we told introcuduced you to Catherine, who was coming to the end of the Study Abroad experience in Ireland . http://goo.gl/DPW695 Now Catherine is home, and reflecting on her year in Ireland... "Hello everyone, I suppose that this will probably my last post, where has the time gone? I hope that writing this will give me some closure for the amazing year. It's actually kind of funny how similar first and last moments are. When you go for a walk, you observe as much as you can, whether it is taking it all in for the first time, trying to not miss a detail, or trying to not...
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Catherine's view of the Irish School System

Catherine Sutherland is an American student who has been studying in Ireland since August and will return in a few short weeks. Here, Catherine gives us her perspective of the Irish school system in comparison to the school system that she knows in the USA. "Talking about the Irish school system is something I simply have to touch on, especially based on its importance (for future students). This can be a bit confusing but it is paramount you understand the factors involved. One thing you need to be careful with is constantly comparing it to your own schooling, I surely did and it didn't...
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We're in the final term already!

The final countdown? As many students around the country return to school today, our International Secondary School students are attending their last "first day back" to their Irish school. While many of them travelled around the country during the lengthy Easter break, many of them took the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquility of lie-ins and daytime tv! With the last term kicking off, it's hard to imagine what types of trails and tribulations have faced them since their arrival including the famous Irish weather. Despite this, we here in the office have been hearing snippets of all...
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Our Secondary School in Ireland students are having a great time here!

It feels like they've just arrived but our Secondary School in Ireland students are here almost 2 months already! Time flies when you're having fun, eh? From beginning school, joining soccer clubs, taking part in awareness raising community events and sight-seeing this group of young people have really become a part of the communities which they've joined. Do you have an EIL student in your school or are you an EIL student yourself? Tell us your story! Email aileen@eilireland.org - I'd love to hear how you're getting on!
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Céad Míle Fáilte to our International Secondary School students

Over one weekend in August, scores of students from all over the World arrived in Ireland to begin their Secondary School in Ireland programme for the 2015/16 academic year. Coming from countries such as Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan and Slovenia, these students will spend their time in Ireland living with Irish host families and attending Secondary Schools in one of our host communities all over Ireland. Their host families were very excited to welcome their new family member and to help them to fully immerse in Irish culture. EIL Staff, Genevieve and Aileen, travelled all over Ireland to...
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Iris with the Cobh Confraternity Band

My time abroad

Iris is a student who studied in an Irish Secondary School in Cork for a semester in 2015. Iris is from Austria however she immersed herself in Irish culture upon her arrival in January. Have a look at what she has to say about her time in Ireland, here... The most amazing time of my life started on January the 3rd at the airport in Munich. Saying goodbye to my family was really hard and I was extremely nervous about the whole exchange term. I cried a lot during my flight to Cork but on the other hand I was so happy, I knew I am going to remember this time forever. When I arrived in Cork my...
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Adventurous trip to the Burren for our students in Clare!

On 16th May, 15 students from all over the World visited the Burren (boireann- meaning "Great Rock" in Irish) Known for its wonderful array of plants and wildlife, the Burren is Ireland's smallest National Park- though it's possibly its most popular! Accompanied by their Local Co-ordinator Pauline, the students visited the Burren Outdoor Education Centre and had an adventure of their own. Undertaking rock-climbing and kayaking (in freezing Irish water!), the students got to grips with Ireland's ever-growing adventure industry. The students had a great time and really showed us what they're...
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Our Secondary School students are preparing to go home!

Time flies when you're having fun! Over the following few weeks 92 students from all over the World will be getting ready to go back to their home countries, and share their Irish experiences with their community at home. These students have spent either 5 or 10 months in Ireland, attending Secondary Schools and PLC courses all over the country. With 12 communities dotted throughout Ireland, each of these students had a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Although students are excited to see family and friends back home, departing Ireland will be a bitter-sweet time for most, as...
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EIL are looking for Host Families!

EIL is looking for new host families for our incoming students in Autumn 2015. Each year over 100 students from all over the world come to Ireland to study in an Irish Secondary School. The length of their stay varies from 3 months right up to the full academic year. We are currently looking for host families in the Dungarvan and Carrick on Suir area of Waterford. Would you be interested, or know someone who might be? Contact our Waterford Local Co-ordinator, Bernie, for more details on bernie.crehan@hotmail.com . Want to find out more about what it means to be a host family? We have 12...
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Lina's having a great time in Castleisland!

The EIL Study Abroad Team were delighted to receive a beautiful letter from one of our Secondary School students. Lina is a German student who is studying in an Irish Secondary School in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. Lina joined us in Ireland in August, and has since been making the most of her time here. The Secondary School Abroad programme offers fully immersive experiences in language, lifestyles and culture. Students live with a host family and attend Secondary Schools in one of our twelve communities all over the country. Featured on RTE's " Nationwide " in 2014, the Secondary School in...
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Loving life in Kerry

Having arrived in Kerry in August from Japan, Ayano gives us an update on her progress in Castleisland, as a participant in the Secondary School in Ireland programme. "Tomorrow would be past a month since I came here. It passed so quickly. The first week I just smiled to people who talk to me because I couldn't understand what you say completely. But now It's better because some my friends help me and explain something slowly. I'm really really appreciate about it Thank you so much guys!!!! I got nice friends, host family, teacher and local coordinator. I am happy girl. I keep trying to...
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Please submit the following documents along with our application form to your local EIL partner organisation. The application form is obtained from the EIL partner organisation in your country.

  • A "dear host family" letter
  • A signed copy of our rules and regulations
  • A medical report
  • School transcripts
  • Recommendation letter from your school
  • Recommendation letter from your English language teacher (if applicable)
  • 3 passport photos