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

My time during the Irish Gap Year program (IGY) has been absolutely incredible. We spent a lot of time helping and learning about the community. Furthermore, we obtained a whole new point of view from Irish history and from the native Irish people. All together, I highly recommend this trip for anyone trying to discover their true self and for anyone who wants to have a great time in a different country. Cmon, guys, it’s fun. Really really fun. Honestly, it was cray cray. Skeety skee, pop pop.⬛️🟧

Everybody within the program has the same goal: to make sure each person got the most of their experiences. They did everything they could to accommodate the needs of each gapper. The personal growth I underwent cannot be described in mere words typed on a device. I truly feel that I have went from a caterpillar to a beautiful and vibrantly colored butterfly. That is no overstatement, as the power of the gap year should not be underestimated. Each student has flourished greatly and it has been a joy to experience.

This Program has put me in a situation where I can prioritize learning, and has allowed me to grow tremendously through trials and tribulations — some of which were self-induced, and others of which were created by IGY to push me to be my best. The standards set by our group leaders was fun loving but serious when necessary. All in all, a very fun supportive environment. I have to say though that the lack of diversity would be the only thing that I would hope could be improved on, but I would sooner associate that with the types of people who end up taking gap years, and most definitely not an unwillingness by IGY to bring in people from different places (which I believe they do try to do.)

It is currently November 24th and I will be leaving in 3 days. This has definitely been my favorite adventure based trip i have made in my teenage years. I looked at many other programs and I would love to share why I made the decision I made to come here. First off the food doesn’t get any better, not every place you will eat at will be a master chefs 5 star restaurant, but I cannot lie when I say every meal here has been amazing food that I couldn’t dislike. And nutrition is the most important for a person who’s away from home in a setting they are not used to. Second off the activities they have here are outstanding. The hikes are beautiful and treat me amazing discipline and teach me how to deal with things that are hard for me to overcome. Not everything is meant to be easy. We did volunteering at a farm and helped build things and plant different fruits and vegetables. Third off being in a new environment with new people was a breathe of fresh air for me. For some people it may be hard but I had to learn how to deal with situations a lot more like an adult would, and this specifically has helped me so much with that. I am aware that I am only one program out of many that has embarked on this amazing experience, but me personally have loved the people I have met here and the friends that I have created. And I am very very excited to say that this trip is something that will stay with me for forever. This trip has become such a big part of who I am. I can’t imagine what will happen next. I’d like to thank every person on this trip that made it immaculate and amazing. I have had the time of my life and I’m happy to say that I am embarked on the Irish Gap Year of 2021.

This journey i’ve had with IGY has been a great new adventure for me with the right amount of challenge. With unique experiences everyday and the lessons that come out of it, someone who is up for the adventure and up for working through the challenges that life here will organically bring your way to inspire the learning lessons that you will take with you for life. This is a highly athletic program but if you keep that in mind you’ll have lots of lovely memories of the outstanding views on the many mountains of Ireland! I’ve had a great time with the friends I’ve met here and the experiences I will take with me to the next chapter of my life

I can honestly say that my three months spent in Ireland offered some of the most valuable learning experiences of my life. While I went in to Irish Gap Year expecting my biggest takeaways to be building my physical health, fostering my love for the outdoors, or just growing in my understanding of another culture, this program is really much, much more. Our leaders offered a safe space for us gappers to go outside of our comfort zone, as we pushed ourselves in an unfamiliar terrain. Living independently with 6 housemates certainly allowed me to grow socially, as I navigated self-care, sharing responsibilities, and valuing others' needs in a different environment. I absolutely loved both the outdoorsy side of this program, as well as exploring the history of Ireland through trips around the country. Some of my favorite memories are spending time with my surfer when volunteering for Liquid Therapy, laughing with my cohort as we trekked through the bog (we consistently got the most difficult hiking weather), and our 3 day Backwoods Expedition, where we were able to utilize our skills from the survival workshops to set up camp in the woods independently. Ultimately, I feel as though my leadership abilities have been impacted the most by this trip, and I am confident that I am leaving with a better understanding of myself, my values, and an increased preparedness for whatever adventures are in store for me!

The Adventure and Leadership program was an incredible opportunity to spend time in all parts of Ireland while participating in exciting activities and allowing a significant amount of independence for individual participants. Trips were frequent and took the group to all corners of the island, exploring both the republic and the United Kingdom, and allowing for a nuanced dialogue regarding the history and conflict of Ireland. There was very little repetition in the day to day activities, from hiking to surfing, rock climbing and volunteer work. Working with local organizations was especially interesting and helped to ensure the program felt like more than a summer camp and had a visible impact on the local community. IGY allowed for participants to spend free time in any manor they chose, to the point where students were allowed to visit other towns such as Sligo on days off. Taking part in this program was both a helpful respite from academia and a stepping stone to becoming more independent while providing an incredible opportunity that few my age have experienced.

The IGY Adventure and Leadership program gave me the opportunity to do things I'd never have gotten to do otherwise. I was able to learn Irish history firsthand from those who experienced it, went to iconic Irish cities and landmarks, and visited some of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen. The staff was supportive, and as a group, we all began to form a close relationship with the staff members. I would recommend this program for anyone who wants to break out of their comfort zone in a safe and controlled environment.