Adventure and Leadership Program: Semester Length, Fall and Spring Cohorts

I can confidently say that this program helped each student, myself included, individually gain the skills they need to live on their own. We had time to establish lasting bonds with each other and all of the leaders, who were extremely helpful every step of the way. They granted us the freedom to make our own decisions, while investing their time in ensuring that we each grow as human beings during our time here. Living in our house together gave us a sense of ownership and responsibility to ourselves and each other, whether it was housekeeping, grocery shopping, or laundry schedules. We learned to live and grow with people from all different backgrounds. The leadership seminars were extremely helpful and informative, and the adventuring felt like the opportunity of a lifetime.

As someone who had never been outside of the US, I was looking for a gap year program that challenged me, but gave me a strong group to support me when I needed it. Irish Gap Year was a perfect mix of challenging, exciting, and safe. I came away from my three month adventure not only having expanded my comfort zone beyond what I thought was possible, but, but having grown so much as an individual. Irish Gap Year gives you the necessary skills to be a functioning adult, but not only that, they show you have to take charge and accomplish what you never would have thought you could.
The program gave me the confidence to not only climb mountains do activities I would have shied away from before, but to lead the charge to a new adventure I may know nothing about. The program leaders and staff provided a constant wave of support and were always ready to talk or lead a hand if I needed it.

Irish Gap year was the most incredible way to spend three months.

It was truly a spectacular time. The staff are amazing and are willing to do whatever to make you feel better And make sure you have a fun time. The scenery is so unreal here and the house is located right in front of the beach. The locals are so nice. And the hike said we go on our truly breathtaking and make sure you have a fun time. The scenery is so unreal here and the house is located right in front of the beach. The locals are so nice. And the hikes we go on are truly breathtaking. I would totally be willing to do it again. I totally advise doing this program.

I had a great time at Irish gap year I met new and different people and got to experience new things that you cant experience in the US. It was very cool to travel around the country and see different parts of history of Ireland and not just the good parts but also the bad times they have had really help you get a full picture of Irish history. I really enjoyed being outdoors as well and getting to see the different cities. All In all I had a great time in Ireland with Irish gap year and am sad it is over already.

When I arrived in Ireland 3 months ago I really had no idea what to expect and I did not know what I wanted out of this program. the years leading up to this program were not easy for me. Early on in this program I struggled a lot to find my footing here in Ireland. Everyone here was so helpful from the beginning. I got familiar with all the leaders early on in this program ( Chris "burgers", Chris "socks", Matt, Ash, and Sara ) it was important to all of them that they did everything they could to make the transition from America to Ireland a smooth one. Another thing I really enjoyed was getting home cooked meals from Rita and Owen. I am happy I can bring a few recipes back with me. I was only in Ireland for 3 months but it seems like I was here a lot longer. We did so many fun and enriching activities including surfing, kayaking, and hiking just to name a few. My family is also from here so I learned a lot about the history of Ireland especially on the guided hikes and tours of the cities we visited. I met so many genuine people both locals and gap year students. I will miss this place very much and I am happy I was able to be a part of this program. I am confident in saying this trip has made a huge impact on my life and I have grown in many ways because of it. Thank You IGY.

I had always planned on taking a gap year before college, but figuring out how to spend it was a difficult process. In the end, I spent the first half working a job near home to get some money and work experience. For the second half, I wanted to travel overseas somewhere with a gap year program, one that, more specifically, provided opportunities for both adventure and community service. After a hefty amount of searching, I finally decided on Irish Gap Year. From what I had read about it, it seemed like the perfect program based on what I wanted to do. However, when I finally made it to Ireland and had settled in to the situation of living with 12 complete strangers in a mansion-like house near a small town known best for its surfing, I discovered that the gap year program I had chosen was far beyond what I initially thought. The myriad of activities, ranging from surfing, hiking, and first aid training, are extremely fun, offering up something new with everything we do. I mean, I wasn't expecting to drive an off-road jeep blindfolded, or ascend towering mountains in the biting cold. And even the less rigorous activities, such as designing a St. Patrick's Day parade float with a local youth group or touring the Guinness storehouse in Dublin, are very much enjoyable and bring a great balance of fun and cultural immersion. When I wasn't riding waves in the frigid Irish oceans or exploring the ruins of ancient castles, there was plenty of time to get to know my fellow "gappers", the people I was spending pretty much every day with for 3 months, and more than enough free time each week to do your own things, may it be hitting up the nearby pub for a pint or just lounging around the house after a long week of intense hikes and long bus rides. The program's leaders are mostly helpful and informative, all while giving gappers enough independence to learn how to take care of themselves and make crucial decisions. The format of the program, activities nearby one week, travel to somewhere else in the country the next, makes sure the experience is never boring and always has new and unique things to do. Lastly, adhering the program's motto of "Explore, discover, grow", there are seemingly endless chances to do just that. Explore a country you've never been to until now, discover ways that you can be a leader to your peers, grow and mature as a person who might have flown into Ireland nervous at first and left feeling like an entirely new person. With Irish Gap Year, not only was my criteria of adventure/service greatly met, but the overall experience was truly one-of-a-kind, and three extremely fun months that I will never forget. I had a blast, and I'm sure you will as well.

This was such a fantastic gap year for me because of Irish Gap Year. I loved all the activities so much and this was a great adventure for me. I discovered so much of myself and gained a lot of skills that you need to get somewhere in life. I learned a lot about myself and who I am and what kind of person I need to be. Through mountain hikes, surfing, laughing with friends and so much more, I've lived the adventure and made good friends. Thank you IGY.

I spent 12 weeks fully immersed in Irish culture through the Irish Gap Year Adventure and Leadership Program. Though I personally had some struggles from coming from being and only child to living with 12 other people, the program itself is life changing. I know that I will carry all of my memories I have made here with me for the rest of my life. I have learned about the new culture, the new people, and even learned some things about myself. I would recommend this gap year program to those who are considering it.