Program Reviews

I had so much fun and I grew as a person a lot. I learned so much about myself. This gap year program made me realize what I am truly capable of. This program made me see my true potential. I got to see and learn so much about the history of Ireland and Ireland as a country itself. Every hike and trip I went on was so much fun and everytime I was blown away with how beautiful the town/cities and the views on the hikes were. I 100% would recommend this gap year program. I would totally be down to do it again

This program has been amazing! There's a great balance between the arts and exploration. We traveled all around Ireland, and got to see a lot of historical and cultural sites. My group was amazing, and we had a lot of time to become really close. Everyone was really nice and made me feel very at home. The art mentors are kind and very helpful. We worked in water color, acrylic paint, charcoal, photography, film, leather working, jewelry making and found art. This has been a monumental experience for me, I highly recommend it!

This program was a truly incredible experience. As an approaching college student, I was looking for a way to spend my gap year where I where I would also grow as a person, gain leadership skills, and be able to work on my weaknesses as a student. This program gave me all that and more. From the incredible, challenging yet always rewarding and beautiful hikes to the educational and fun city trips, Irish Gap Year has been one adventure after another. Perhaps the best thing I've gained from the program is the social connections and friends, as cheesy as it sounds. I was previously worried about going to college and living with people other than my family. This program gave me a taste of how that would go and what I needed to improve on and what my skills already were. The greatest thing about this program is the staff. All the program leaders and staff here were extremely supportive and it's obvious how much they care about the students and how much they enjoy their job. All in all, I must reiterate how much of an incredible experience this was and how strongly i recommend it to other students craving adventure, leadership opportunities, and strong community.

I was super excited for this trip but also terrified because I’ve never been away from my family for this long but especially because I’ve never really been great with making friends so I was really nervous. But after the first two days all those worries went away everyone was really welcoming and kind and I was really comfortable around everyone. For the art section of the program it was unbelievably helpful. I was able to learn so much in only 3 months Michael was the best teacher for me teaching me on how to use the greyscale a lot better and how to improve as an artist as a whole

I really loved this program! The staff is so welcoming and personable. They really made the experience what it is. They always made themselves available to talk if need be. They handled problems with a great amount of thought, grace, and efficiency.
I really grew a lot as a person during this program because the activities we did pushed me. It made me realize that I am a lot more capable mentally and physically then I previously thought.
Also, the Irish people welcomed us with open arms. We really got to know people from local businesses. I met a lot of great people on this trip that I will keep in contact with and I know that if I ever come back to Ireland there are people hear I call up. One of my favorite things that I will miss is being able to walk out of the house, look left and see the ocean and the cliffs, look right and see Aroo Mountain. It is the most humbling feeling. I would recommend this program to people who love the outdoors and are up for anything.

I loved the program and the time that I spent here. The group that I was with was accepting and supportive, both peers and guides. The classes and mentors are engaging and throw themselves into helping with our projects. Everyone from the staff was great and we all felt like a family with the first week. I went on this program to try and start becoming more independent after high school but still be supported and this program delivers. I was lucky that I was able to go on this trip. I was lucky to be on this trip and meet and experience the people that I did.

Deciding to go on this program may have been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program is very well organized with exciting activities and busy schedules almost every day. The location of the program is so beautiful, and ended up being way better than I expected. All art lessons are done in a beautiful old house with windows that look out over the ocean and green grassy fields. The art teachers are so supportive, unique, talented, and maybe even a little bit crazy. This program has given me the space to explore my creativity in a space free from pressure or judgement, which has been quintessential to my personal growth as an artist. The most important part of it all was the people I met here. Everyone here in this silly little art group are genuinely so unique, creative, funny, and supportive beyond belief. I am so eternally grateful to know all of these crazy goofballs for the rest of my life.

This program has been a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. The activities, volunteering, and leadership workshops were so much fun, but more than that, I grew so much as a person and gained a family within my cohort. Additionally, our leaders provided an incredible guiding hand when necessary, however also allowed us to make our own mistakes and become more independent people. Overall, this has been an amazing experience and if I was given the chance to do this program again, I would in a heartbeat. I have so many memories from these three months and I wouldn’t trade those for anything.

Amazing program with incredible staff and great opportunities for developing as an artist :) The housing situation and the close-knit environment encourages everyone to become like a family. The art tutors are super skilled and a fantastic resource. The surrounding area is beautiful and safe, with lots to explore and do, and the trips around Ireland are well-executed so the days are always full of adventures and explorations without wasting time. Overall a valuable experience I'm so grateful for!

This program changed my life. I came in knowing how to make 3d art with little drawing experience, and I left with charcoal and painting skills that I am extremely proud of. The natural landscape is conducive to creating art, and the local people were equally as inspiring. It is extremely different from the US, and living in a town with just two thousand people seemed daunting at first, but it really feels like a home. You get out on loads of trips as well, visiting cities like Dublin and Belfast and Galway along with smaller towns the typical person traveling Ireland would never see. So many memories were made here, and a program like the arts and culture program attracts positive people. The friends I found here are genuinely interesting and interested in the world, and I can’t wait to see what they will do. Our tutors are amazing, for I did not know many artists back home, and the mindset they gave me is one I will have forever. I had so many firsts, and it was a great foray into independence as they do take care of a lot (there is a laundry service!). It does get cold, and the wifi is spotty, but you get used to it. Recommend the Phoenix and the Chasing Bull, live music and draws a large crowd. Paris nightclub is fun, but the music is not it. The exhibition at the end is actually a big deal, and it was so satisfying to complete. Our leaders are great, and I would highly recommend coming on this program.