FAQs
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Application
Q.1 Who is eligible for the Irish Life Experience
The Irish Life Experience is a summer program designed for students who are interested in Irish culture and International travel. Students who are in eighth grade entering high school after the program through students graduating high school just before the program begins (generally 14-18 years old) are eligible to participate.
Q.2 How do students apply to the Irish Life Experience?
There is an application with nine questions for the applicant and three questions for the parents and/or guardians of the student. Written recommendations are also required from at least one teacher and one counselor, as well as a copy of their current transcripts.
Q.3 Is it competitive to get accepted into the Irish Life Experience?
Yes, it is fairly competitive. We look for intelligent, independent, motivated, enthusiastic, and well-rounded young men and women who are looking to set forth on an incredible journey to Ireland. Everyone must have a passion for experiencing a new and different culture and should be excited to be a part of this incredible adventure.
Q.4 When should I submit my application?
It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to ensure that the program does not reach its capacity before you have the chance to apply. The final deadline is April 1, but we will continue to accept applications if there is space available, or put you on a waiting list in case there are any cancellations.
Q.5 When will I find out if I've been accepted into the program?
Once the Irish Life Experience receives your completed application and recommendations, with the required deposit, it should take 2-3 weeks to review and notify you of the decision.
Q.6 What is the cost of the Irish Life program and what does it include?
The cost of the Irish Life Experience is $4,450 if applicants apply and pay in full before December 31, 2009. After December 31st, the cost of the program is $4,950. This covers round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) to Ireland, room and board, tuition, field trips, and activities. Personal items such as souvenirs, snacks, internet, and phone calls are not included. There will occasionally be optional activities offered at an additional cost, such as movies and amusement park rides.
Q.7 Is full payment required with the application?
No. Students are required to send a $600 deposit with their application, of which $100 is non-refundable if they are not accepted into the program. If accepted, an additional $1000 is required by April 1st and the full balance by June 1st, unless you qualify for the early-payment special prior to December 31st ($500 discount with full payment).
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Upon Acceptance
Q.1 After I'm accepted into the program, when will I hear from the Irish Life Experience?
The Irish Life Experience will send out a packet of information and contracts to students and parents a few weeks after being notified of acceptance. It's important to complete all of the required information in a timely fashion. Once you are paid in full, you will receive a handbook and t-shirt a prior to departure. The handbook will have all of the necessary specifics that students and parents will need to know about their journey, and the t-shirt... well, you can wear your t-shirt to the airport so we can find you easier! If students and parents have questions, they are always welcome to contact the Irish Life Experience at any time.
Q.2 Where are the students typically from?
Students come from every corner of America and Canada, and will find a list of participating students and their hometowns in their handbook prior to departure. It will also have contact information for each student so they can communicate beforehand and get to know one another.
Q.3 How many students participate in the Irish Life Experience each year?
The number of students vary each summer, but typically there are between 30 to 65 students.
Q.3 What are the ages of the students who participate in the Irish Life Experience?
Again, this varies with every program, but there is a good mix of all ages ranging from 14-18 years old.
Q.3 Can I bring a friend or relative with me?
Absolutely! The majority of students come on the program by themselves, although several students have chosen to bring somebody along to share the experience with. And, although most of the students leave home without knowing anyone in the program, they return with lifelong friends they will never forget.
Q.3 Does the Irish Life Experience provide contact information for past students and parents who can answer first-hand questions about the program?
Yes, of course. Our alumni are our best advocates of the program and can often be the ones who share unique details about the experience. We will provide you with contact information of parents and students upon request.
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Your Summer in Ireland
Q.1 Where will the students live?
Students will live in boarding schools. They are comfortable accommodations which provide the necessities but usually don't offer unnecessary extras. See Campuses and Accommodations.
Q.2 What kind of classes will the students take?
The core curriculum for the Irish Life Experience is Gaelic, Irish History, Irish American History, Irish Studies, Literature, Dance, and Drama. There will also be various required and optional workshops. These classes and workshops, combined with tours and field trips, will provide a wonderful, comprehensive introduction to Irish culture. Each student will have a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the history and traditions of Ireland's past, present, and future by the end of the program.
Q.3 How are the students supervised?
The students are supervised by coordinators, teachers, and counselors. There will be a staff member on duty at all times, 24/7. The size of the group will determine the exact number of staff, but we typically maintain a student-to-staff ratio of 7:1.
Q.4 Is there a curfew?
Yes. Depending on the daily schedule, students must be on campus for dinner before having free time until bed check. The Irish Life Experience enforces a strict lights out policy. Students must be in their rooms by 11:30PM and lights out by 11:45PM. Since the Irish Life Experience has a very demanding scheduled of classes, activities, and tours, it is important for each student to get the required amount of sleep so they don't get run down.
Q.5 Can parents attend the program with their child(ren)?
The program is reserved for students only, however, parents may meet their child(ren) after the program and travel with them in Ireland. Through an exclusive deal with Tenon Tours, parents will be offered a specially-designed package at a discounted rate. Tenon Tours also provides a true International experience to Ireland year-round through numerous packages including their Irish Immersion Tour, group trips, self-drive packages, and custom tours.
Q.6 Will students have access to laundry facilities?
The Irish Life Experience will have two pick-up dates for laundry. The first being during the last few days in Waterford (about 8 days into the program) and the other the last few days in Dublin (about a week before returning home). We suggest students bring a laundry bag, wash and wear clothes, and put initials on all of their clothing tags. There are also laundry facilities at Gort na Coiribe in Galway, but the expense is not covered by the Irish Life Experience.
Q.7 How do students communicate with family and friends back home?
Students will have limited access to phones while on the Irish Life Experience. Calling cards can be purchased in Ireland and are generally cheaper than those in the US or Canada. If students would like to rent a phone for the duration of their stay in Ireland, we recommend Student Cell (www.studentcell.net). Internet is usually available 1-2 times/week at Internet Cafes, which most students find to be the most affordable way to communicate with friends and family overseas.
Q.8 Can I bring a cell phone?
While cell phones are allowed, it can be a very expensive option and a distraction during the program. It's important to remember that a significant part of the Irish Life philosophy is to step outside of your everyday world, so you want to make sure you are not letting things pass you by while you are on the phone. If you do decide you would like a cell phone while in Ireland, we recommend renting a cell phone from Student Cell (www.studentcell.net).
Q.9 Can I bring a laptop?
Although we understand how life may not be complete without a laptop back home, we find it to be unnecessary during the Irish Life program. They can be heavy and cumbersome, and not exactly travel-friendly. Since there are many internet cafes, you shouldn't need it for emailing. If you are thinking about bringing it along in order to download your digital pictures, you may want to simply bringing along an extra memory card. It's lighter, cheaper, and easier to travel with.
Q.10 When can parents expect to hear from their child(ren)?
The Irish Life Experience will send an email to all parents the day the students arrive in Ireland to let them know they have arrived safely, making it extremely important to update our staff with each parent/guardian's current email address. Students will be very busy with classes and tours the first week so it's important to be patient and understand that your child(ren) are in good hands while they adjust to a new country, learn a new culture, travel the land, make new friends, and have the most fun possible!
Q.11 What is the best way for students to get/carry money?
We recommend that students carry a limited amount of cash, and use a credit/debit card as needed. However, we have found that debit cards which are accepted worldwide are the best option for accessing cash. Students should also be aware of current exchange rates and remember that the amount withdrawn overseas is stated in the local currency, so "100" would be 100 euros (roughly $130 USD). We also recommend they withdraw infrequent large withdrawals rather than frequent small withdrawals as most banks charge an international transaction fee. Lastly, the issuing bank for the card should be notified in advance so they do not freeze the account when trying to use the card overseas.
Q.12 How much do students spend on the Irish Life Experience?
We recommend a budget between $500-$700 for out-of-pocket expenses. It's important to discuss a spending budget with your child(ren) prior to departure so expectations are met. Students will receive a list of popular souvenirs and the cost of each before they depart, which will help determine what they will need to spend to fulfill their "wish list".
Q.13 How will I reach my child(ren) if there is an emergency?
Students and parents will be sent an Irish Life Experience Contact Card before the program departs. It will have the cell phone numbers for both coordinators in Ireland in case there is an emergency. The numbers are only to be used for emergency purposes.
Q.14 Is health insurance included?
Health insurance is not included in the Irish Life Experience. We do required that participants have valid International Health Coverage for the duration of the program and that a copy of the information be submitted to our US office prior to the departure date.
Q.15 What do I do if I get sick?
The Irish Life Experience takes all precautions available to ensure that students are traveling within a safe environment, eating well prepared meals, getting an appropriate amount of sleep, and sleeping within clean, safe surrounding at all times. It is natural when you are living in a large group setting in a foreign country that you may get run down at times. These instances are dealt with by our staff, and we take every precaution to ensure that you receive the best medical treatment you need. We have doctors close to every location and in cases where you need professional medical care, the Irish Life Experience will arrange a medical appointment for you. Our staff will stay with you while you receive medical care and will alert your family. We also recommend that each student brings cold medicine in case they get sick, as Irish medicine is different from that found in the US or Canada.
Q.16 Are there any special rules or policies I should be aware of?
Each student will have to sign a Participant/Parent Release. The Irish life Experience takes the safety and behavior of our students very seriously. Violation of any of our rules could result in a phone call to parents, suspension from daily activities, or immediate expulsion from the program.
Q.17 Who are coordinators?
Our leaders are full-time coordinators for the Irish Life Experience. Each coordinator has extensive knowledge of Ireland and has led countless groups of students to the Emerald Isle since 1998, as well as other tour groups around the world. Each coordinator holds a common set of values regarding the standards of the company, a single-minded dedication to excellence across the organization, and an absolute focus on the safety of the program and its participants.
Q.18 Who are the counselors?
The counselors are college graduates who have a passion for Ireland, education, and travel. Most are alumni of the program who have studied Irish culture at college, studied abroad, and have experience working with teenagers. They are responsible adults whose priority is to ensure the safety of each student and to help them have the experience of a lifetime.
Q.19 Are staff members qualified in First Aid?
Yes. Students' safety is our number one priority. It's a requirement for each staff member to be trained in CPR and First Aid. Staff will have an orientation and be trained how to respond in any emergency situation.
Q.20 Can my child visit family while in Ireland?
If students have family in Ireland, they will be able to visit them during their free time as long as it does not interfere with required classes and tours. They must have a permission slip from their parents, which must include their family's contact details. These visits must be pre-approved by the Irish Life Experience Coordinators.
Q.21 What if I want to extend my trip?
This is not uncommon, and in fact, recommended as part of our parent's trip through Tenon Tours. Many students will want to extend their amazing journey in Ireland and be able to show their parents a snapshot of their experience. They is easily done, as long as Aer Lingus has availability on the desired flight. Sometimes there will be a change fee, as well as a difference in fare which will be the responsibility of the passenger. If this is something you want to do, we will do everything we can to make it happen.
Q.22 What if I have to come home for personal reason?
This is unusual, but the Irish Life Experience will look into this on a case-by-case basis. In most situations, parents will have to pay for the expense of a one-way ticket home.
Q.23 Do I have free time?
The Irish Life Experience is designed to give you free time in all of the various locations we stay. Time to write home, reflect on your experience, and explore with your friends. All of these are important parts of your journey.
Q.24 Will there be someone to meet me at the JFK airport if I have a connecting flight, or prior to departure?
Definitely. Students with connecting flights into New York (JFK) are met after security by Irish Life counselors. They will escort each student to Terminal 4 and help them check-in to the correct flight. It's important to have all of the connecting flight information for each student in advance, so we will be able to coordinate these arrangements We encourage students with connecting flights to bring cell phones, in case a counselor is unable to connect with a student. This will help the counselor set up a specific location to meet the student. Staff will also be there to assist students with connecting flights after they return from Ireland. Our goal is to ensure each student reaches their appropriate destination safely.
Q.25 What is the food like?
The food is typical dormitory food. Irish food can sometimes be bland and it takes awhile for students to adjust to a different diet. We emphasize that students should be open to trying new flavors and not be picky. Each boarding school does their best to make sure students are eating a healthy, balanced, and nutritious meal. While in Galway, the Irish Life will give each student a set amount of money to go shopping with their roommates, so they will be able to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner on their own. We recommend that parents send students along with care packages with their favorite snacks, as students will often crave some comforts from home.
Q.26 What if I am a vegetarian or vegan?
The Irish Life Experience can accommodate almost all dietary needs. It is necessary to indicate food restrictions so we can make proper arrangements. In addition, it is necessary to specify any particular food allergies that you may have in order for us to properly ensure you are getting the correct diet while traveling abroad.
Q.27 Are the classes hard?
Classes are not rigorous. We realize that this is your summer vacation, so teachers do their best to make sure each class is fun and interactive as possible.
Q.28 How are students graded?
Each student will receive a grade at the end of the program. The grade will be based on attendance, participation in class, note taking ability, drama presentations, completion of six workshops, and overall behavior. A copy will be emailed to each parent as well.
