Is there some sort of program for highschool-ish aged students who want to live abroad in Ireland for an academic year and attend school, but specifically for the purpose of learning Irish? I've heard of like month long programs where you live with a family, in a Gaeltacht area etc. But I'm talking about something official for school aged kids, where there's usually an exchange between two countries. I'm sure there exists something like this for Ireland in general, but what about those specifically interested in Irish? Would the only way to do something like this be privately?

Hi Andréas

I've been looking into this for a while, actually. The government of Ireland does not coordinate exchange student programs other than North-South cooperation units. You have to write to an individual secondary school and arrange your own program and residence. This can be pretty difficult on your own, but if you have relatives or something it can be easier. Also, from what I hear Gaelscoileanna are somewhat hard to get into, or at least at a primary school level ... not sure about secondary school.

Another option of course would be to speak with a private institution like TWU... AFS International, unfortunately, doesn't operate programs in Ireland. They'd probably send you to Dublin or something anyway though, and you'd get Irish in one of your classes but not overall.

Also, at a secondary level, most students would be fairly fluent. I doubt that beginning level classes would be available at most schools. Cost would be another consideration - unless you have family there - room and board could be expensive. Perhaps one of the summer Gaeltacht courses would be a good start to achieving some fluency. Go n-eiri in t-adh leat!

Hi Andréas,

I was in a simular position when I was graduating from High School in the United States. I wanted to go to another country and be immersed in another language instead of going to college. What I found out was that there are exchange programs which will accept high school graduates even though you would be attending high school. In other words you would be repeating your senior year. The program which I was going to do matched me with a family in Bolivia where I would live and go to school for a year. I can't remember the name of the program since unfortunately my parents had to give permission because of my age and they didn't! But I found out about it through my high school guidance counselor.

As for gaelic don't be discouraged. You're probably not going to find a program for that. I would just search for something in the Gaeltacht or close to it. Your parents will think that you're just going to Ireland. When you get there talk to all the teachers and students who are doing Gaelic with a passion. They will find a way to teach you enough Gaelic to catch up.

A Dhrochfhuaimniú, thanks for the info. It sounds like it would be such a complicated process, that there are just easier ways to learn Irish. Are you planning on trying something like this? I stop by your journal occasionally and see you at the Gaeilge community on LJ …

Shoshana, thanks for your advice.

I believe NUIG does a summer program that places students with host families in galway. I've heard that the first time you speak english you're reprimanded. the second you're sent home.