Program Reviews

The European expedition was a very interesting and beneficial experience. There were certainly a few things I would change but overall it was incredibly nice to be able to travel Europe with other people in a way that I wouldn't know how to do on my own. If you'd like to explore Europe, particularly its cities, with a group, I'd definitely recommend this program. My highlights were Berlin (all of it), La Machine Fissa: a beautiful reading retreat in Northern Italy, and Bled a beautiful town in the mountains of Slovenia

The Irish Gap Year European Expedition offers an extraordinary experience that combines adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Participants have the opportunity to explore diverse European destinations while forming lasting friendships and enhancing their independence. The program’s focus on experiential learning allows individuals to develop valuable skills, broaden their perspectives, and create unforgettable memories. Highly recommend this expedition for anyone looking to enrich their travel experience and embrace new challenges!

This program challenged me in new ways that allowed me to grow as an individual. I learned how to communicate in new ways. I learned how to be a good explorer. I learned more about myself than ever. It came with its challenges, it’s a small group of strangers all there for their own reasons but we all grew together and individually.

This program has you constantly on the move. There is not time to really settle down anywhere we go but there are certainly places that feel like home along the way. Every place we go has something to enjoy and experience making the constant travel well worth.

I learned a lot on this trip! In the last three months I have made so many memories and have learned so much about myself. It was also a great way to see a lot of European countries in a short time. The social scene was pretty good. We all got along. Every group has its ups and downs and we had ours but overall it could have gone much worse. I enjoyed exploring the cities personally for then the nature but this program is great for people who like cities and who like nature because we explore both.

The Irish Gap Year wad incredibly positive and life changing expirience for me. I learned many skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, met many fantastic people and just had a great time overall. The staff is very helpful and always supportive of the program's participants at all times. The activites were very fun and engaging. I can confidently say that I came out of this program a changed man, and that is not something that I can say about most other programs I've been in throughout my life.

I had the absolute best time of my life on this program. From meeting lifelong friends to growing as a human and an artist this program has changed the way I’ll think about culture, history, art and people forever!! All the roommates including mine were very well chosen. The dynamics of all the houses were always on point. The pubs in Bundoran are lovely and safe with lots of families around. Although, the time spent in the Portbeg Holiday Homes are much more memorable. The dynamic between the group is always an amazing mix of casual time and fun outings. The staff and teachers were so caring and supportive throughout the whole program. I use a motorized scooter for my physical disability so coming across a program that supports that is quite rare. Not only did they plan accessible trips and accessible restaurants they purchased with their own money a ramp for the van we use everyday. Never once did any of them make me feel like a hassle or “too much”, as some past programs I’ve done have. The staff also bought us groceries every week based off a list we created and got us medicine from their own pockets when we were sick. One of my fondest memories is Jules ( part of the staff), making me breakfast while I was sick in bed. It’s these smalls things that IGY does that makes Bundoran feel like home.

I love my time on this program! I meet some of the most amazing people on the world. The program itself was amazing. I did the arts program and i feel the the balance of art a free time was perfect and i never got burnout. Bundoran is a great town aswell they had such cute cafes, restaurants, theme parks, and really fun pubs. The housing was also great they did a really good job at arranging the rooming situations. the rooms are really big and same with the kitchens and living rooms. the staff is really nice and was always there to help with whatever you need whenever you need it. Overall i had a really good time compared to other art programs ive done in europe this one is DEFINITELY my favorite.

This program was a great way to start your travel journey. It was a really good introduction to traveling in Europe and the UK. If you are looking to do more traveling alone Or with others it is a great way to start. Bundoran was a super cute place to live for 3 months and I would definitely return. The pubs are great with live music and culture. Bundoran is a hot spot for Irish people the come visit so you will meet lots of people. The program leaders and art tutors are amazing and incredibly supportive with anything you might want or need. Overall I had a great 10 weeks and would 100% do it again.

Honestly I think my experience here on Irish Gap Year was something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. The people, the place, the staff, everything was pretty perfect. It was nice to slow down and fully take in all that’s around you. I feel like this program gave that to me. I was in the Art program segment of it and it was just what I needed. I don’t have much of an art background but the tutors were so helpful and helped me discover what makes art, art. The town itself was really beautiful and it was easy to make this town feel like home.

I loved my time in Irish Gap year. I was part of the Arts program and I feel that my artistic ability and talent has grown as well as meeting incredible artists and being around people who shared the same mindset helped me create lasting bonds. I enjoyed being in a house with people from both Adventure and the Art program being around a diverse net of people has helped me expand social skills as well prepare me for living with others in college. This program has helped me to live with others in harmony as well as expand my creative prowess.