WELCOME TO IRISH GAP YEAR
Our Mission Statement
Irish Gap Year is Europe’s first and only Gap Year Association accredited program provider. We are an education company based in southwest Donegal, Ireland. Our mission is to develop more self-aware, independent, confident and resilient young people. We achieve this transformative experience through the values of community integration, immersion in nature, experiential education, exploration of the arts and creativity, meaningful travel, volunteering and cultural exchange.
IRISH PROGRAMS
Our Irish Programs
We have two semester long Irish programs we are currently running biannually in Spring and Fall. They are our Adventure & Leadership Program and our Arts & Culture Program.
You can find a detailed description of all our programs in the ‘Programs’ tab of our Menu Bar, or you can read on here for a summary of our Irish Programs:
Adventure & Leadership
Our Adventure and Leadership Gap Year Program Ireland is a semester-length, group program that brings you to the western edge of Europe, along the wild Atlantic.
You’ll explore untouched nature, immerse yourself in the Irish culture, develop your personal leadership skills, volunteer in the local community and travel throughout Ireland.
Irish Arts & Culture
Our Irish Arts and Culture Gap Year Program is a semester-length, group program that gives you an opportunity to explore and cultivate your creative side while building independence, exploring Ireland and making new friends.
Enjoy a range of daily workshops with esteemed local artists, create your own body of work, delve into Ireland’s cultural and artistic heritage and travel throughout Ireland.
EUROPEAN PROGRAMS
Our European Programs
We have one semester long European program, which is our European Expedition Program, and we have 2 short European programs which are our European Explorer and our European Arts & Culture.
You can find a detailed description of all our programs in the ‘Programs’ tab of our Menu Bar, or you can read on here for a brief summary of our European Programs:
The European Expedition Program brings students on an epic journey across Europe, broadening your horizons through exposure to the continent’s deep cultural and historical roots.European Explorer Program
The European Explorer Program resembles the classic European back-packing expedition of old mixed with a hands-on study of European history, culture and current events.
Students will be traveling for four weeks in a small group on the Inter-Rail train system from Amsterdam to Berlin to Salzburg to the Austrian Alps to Venice and the plains of Northern Italy.
This four-week, structured, group program focuses on Cultural Exploration, Immersive Travel and Climate Change. Each city we visit will have its own experiential learning outcome and theme.
For example, we’ll have a comparative study in how the low-lying cities of Amsterdam and Venice differ in their response to global climate change. But fear not, this program is no ‘chalk and talk’!
From hiking in the Alps, to swimming in the Spree in Berlin, to student led meals and work exchange at an 18th century Italian Villa.
The Irish Gap Year team will guide you on this journey of self-discovery.
European Arts & Culture Program
The European Arts and Culture Program is a structured, four week, cultural and artistic exploration of Portugal, Spain and France.
This program will develop your creative senses through expert tutoring in a variety of artistic mediums, build your independence through immersive travel and allow you to experience the culture and history of some of Europe’s iconic cities all while making new friends.
The Program is based on the cornerstones of creative discovery, immersive travel and cultural exploration and will leave you feeling inspired, confident and rejuvenated.
You’ll immerse yourself in the beauty, art and culture of Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona and Paris, spending two glorious weeks developing your artistic skills at light-hearted, creative retreats in the Serra da Lousã mountains of central Portugal and the Languedoc region of southern France.