Study Abroad’s flagship programme, we welcome over 200 students every year to embark on an intercultural journey and self discovery while being hosted in the land of a thousand welcomes!

 

Become more Irish than the Irish themselves!

Embark on an adventure to the land of saints and scholars.

Embrace a country full of strong music, dancing and sporting traditions.

Enjoy the landscape, old buildings, history and mythology.

Become like thousands of students before you and find yourself with the gift of the gab using the local teanga (language)!

Programme overview

The Secondary School Programme in Ireland is open to international students between the ages of 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 14 host communities dotted around the country. Each community has an appointed local coordinator who is a part of the AFS/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.

Past Experiences

Life long memories

  1. Irish traditional dancing

  2. Scholars in uniform

  3. Hurling - a game of warriors

  4. Fun on the farm

  5. Old buildings everywhere

  6. Enjoying the landscape

Programme details

  • 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 term, 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 AFS/EIL representative and/or AFS/EIL staff member.
  • 24 hour emergency telephone support from the AFS/EIL office in Cork.

Contact us

Contact Us - Study Abroad

If you have a question for the Study Abroad Team please fill out the form below and a member of the team will get in touch as soon as they can

    We would like to send you some updates from time to time including programme offers & newsletters.