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

The activities that IGY offered were varied and very fun. They ranged from surfing (my favorite) to hiking to cliff jumping, and many, many, other outdoor activities. I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that this program offered, while still maintaining a safe and comfortable environment. I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors and isn't afraid to get dirty. Anyone without these qualities will almost certainly struggle.
Housing was great. The houses were a bit old and things did tend to break like the dishwasher and laundry machine, but they were very cozy and otherwise functioned pretty well. They also had a maintenance man on call so any problems that did occur were fixed quickly.

Going on this program was one of the best decisions I ever made. On top of getting to fully experience my love for the outdoors through hiking, surfing, and loads of other activities, I was able to discover new cities and learn about Irish history and culture. The atmosphere of this program pushed me socially, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and caused me to grow in ways I didn't know I could. There were definitely challenges in all aspects that caused me to discover myself, and the leaders and staff are right there to support us. The amount of growth and maturity we attained through a gap year and this program is unmatched. This program gave me the opportunity to try so many new things and to do so in a safe environment. The past three months have been the best, and quickest, months of my life. Time has flown so fast and we have done so much. I wish I could do this program all over again, just so I could take it all in one more time, the highs and the lows. This trip has taught me things I will carry with me for a long time, and I am so grateful for that.

My three months with Irish Gap Year have been an incredible experience. Every week was filled with new adventures that allowed me to get out of my comfort zone in a safe environment. We went surfing, hiking, rock climbing, cycling, and toured major cities across Ireland. The views even right outside of the houses are breathtaking. One of my favorite experiences was our backwoods expedition. We spent time in the beginning of the program learning how to process firewood, start fires, cook food, set up shelter and more. After this we spent two nights camping which were amazing. Another rewarding experience was volunteering with Liquid Therapy where we spent four sessions helping kids with additional needs surf.
This program allows a lot of independence as the students live on their own. The staff is very involved and always available but not overbearing. Living in a house with other students definitely comes with it’s fair share of challenges but problem solving is a very valuable skill. This program challenged me and I gained confidence in my own abilities and learned a lot about myself. I highly recommend this program.

I loved being a part of Irish gap year because it taught me a lot about myself and how I deal with others. Living in such close proximity made us all super close and made the experience super comfortable. My leaders Niall and Kate also made my experience a 10000/10. I love them. Onora and Fran ( our away from home moms) made me feel super at home and were always there for a mom hug when I needed it. Thank you so much Irish gap year for the wonderful experiences and people I will remember for a life time!

This program was great because it included education, adventure, and independence in a fantastic way! From staying in a house only with the other gappers to going on hikes to learning about permaculture you get the whole experience!! You also get to see all of Ireland by traveling to most of the major cities both in Ireland and in Northern Ireland. Another thing that made the experience great were the program leaders. Both Niall and Kate had a great dynamic that lead to some pretty awesome experiences!

Even with Covid restrictions in place I had such a great time exploring Ireland and meeting all these amazing people. Everyone was so supportive and we did something new and interesting every week. Absolutely worth it and I’d happily do it again. Definitely good for any student taking a gap year and is a great opportunity to meet other people in the same situation as you. I’ll always have a soft spot for Ireland and the people I met here and I can’t recommend this program enough for any student.

My three months with Irish Gap Year have been an incredibly fun-filled and immersive time and I could not recommend it more. Even with COVID 19 restrictions, Irish Gap Year managed to give us a very full experience. We spent much of our time hiking, surfing, exploring, and getting to know Ireland. Towards the end of our three months, we went on amazing trips to Belfast, Galway, and Derry. The leaders at Irish Gap Year are super supportive and fun, and made my time in Ireland even more enjoyable.

I had such a great time with Irish Gap Year! Although covid restricted what we could do in the first couple weeks, the second six weeks of the program were amazing. All the hikes and trips to cities were so fun, and I’m so grateful I was able to have those experiences. Because of all the time we spent together, our group became extremely close, and I know I’ve made friends for life. Also, the leaders at IGY are so supportive and really made an effort to bond with us.

This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I highly recommend it.