The Application
Q.1 Who is eligible for the Irish Way?
The Irish Way is a summer program
designed for students who are interested in Irish culture and
international travel. Students who have graduated from the eighth
grade and are entering high school after the program, through
students graduating high school just before the program begins
(generally 14-18 years old) are eligible to participate.
Q.2 How do students apply to the Irish
Way?
There is an application with nine
questions for the applicant and three questions for the parents
and/or guardians of the student. Written recommendations are also
required from at least one teacher and one counselor as well as a
copy of their current school transcripts.
Q.3 Is acceptance to the Irish Way
competitive?
Yes, it is fairly competitive.
We look for intelligent, independent, motivated, enthusiastic and
well-rounded young men and women who are looking to setforth on an
incredible journey to Ireland. Everyone must have a passion
for experiencing a new and different culture and should be excited
to be a part of this incredible adventure.
Q.4 When should I submit my
application?
It is recommended that you submit
your application as soon as possible to insure that the program
does not reach its capacity before you have the chance to apply.
The final deadline is May 1st, but we will continue to accept
applications if there is space available, or will put you on a
waiting list in case there are any cancellations.
Q.5 When will I find out if I’ve been
accepted into the program?
Once the Irish Way receives your
completed application and recommendations, with the required
deposit, it should take 2-3 weeks to review and notify you of the
decision.
Q.6 What is the cost of the Irish Life
program and what does it include?
The cost of the Irish Way is $4,950
if applicants apply and pay in full before January 1, 2012. After
January 1, 2012, the cost of the program is $5,350. This covers
round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) to Ireland, room and board,
tuition, group tours, and activities. Personal items such as
souvenirs, snacks, Internet, and phone calls are not included.
There will occasionally be optional activities offered at an
additional cost, such as movies and amusement park rides.
Q.7 Is full payment required with the
application?
No. Students are required to send a
$600 deposit with their application, of which $100 is
non-refundable if they are not accepted into the program. If
accepted, an additional $1,000 is required by March 1, 2012 and
the full balance by June 1, 2012, unless you qualify for the Early
Bird Special prior to January 1, 2012. ($400 discount with full
payment.)
Upon Acceptance
Q.1 After I’m accepted into the
program when will I hear from the Irish Way?
The Irish Way will send out a packet
of information and contracts to students and parents a few weeks
after being notified of acceptance. It’s important to complete
all of the required information in a timely fashion. Once you
have paid in full you will receive a handbook. The handbook will
contain all of the necessary information that students and parents
will need to know about the program. If students and parents have
questions they are welcome to contact the Irish Way at any time.
Q.2 Where are the students typically
from?
Students come from every corner of
America and Canada. Students will find a list of other
participating students and their hometowns in their handbook prior
to departure. The handbook will also contain contact information
for each student so that they can communicate beforehand and get
to know one another.
Q.3 How many students participate in
the Irish Way each year?
The number of students varies each
summer, but typically there are between 30 to 65 students.
Q.4 What are the ages of the students
who participate in the Irish Way?
Again, this varies with every
program, but there is a good mix of all ages ranging from 14-18
years old.
Q.5 Can I bring a friend or relative
with me?
Absolutely! The majority of
students come to the program by themselves, but some students
choose to bring a friend along to share their experience. And
although most students leave home without knowing anyone in the
program, they tend to return home with lifelong friends.
Q.6 Does the Irish Way provide contact
information for past students and parents who can answer first-hand
questions about the program?
Our alumni are our best advocates.
They are often the ones who are best able to share unique details
about the experience. We will provide you with contact
information of past students and parents upon request.
Your Summer in Ireland
Q.1 Where will the students live?
Students will live in boarding
schools. They are comfortable accommodations which provide the
necessities. See High
School Accommodations.
Q.2 What kind of classes will the
students take?
The core curriculum for the Irish
Way is Gaelic language, Irish history, Irish American history,
Irish studies, literature, dance and drama. There will also be
various required and optional workshops. These classes and
workshops, combined with tours and field trips, will provide a
wonderful, comprehensive introduction to Irish culture. Each
student will have a better understanding of and deeper
appreciation for the history and traditions of Ireland by the end
of the program.
Q.3 How are the students supervised?
The students are supervised by
coordinators, teachers, and counselors. There will be a staff
member on duty at all times, 24/7. The size of the group will
determine the exact number of staff, but we typically maintain a
student-to-staff ratio of 7:1.
Q.4 Is there a curfew?
Yes. Depending on the daily
schedule, students must be on campus for dinner before having free
time until bed check. The Irish Way enforces a strict lights-out
policy. Students must be in their rooms by 11:30 PM and
lights-out is at 11:45 PM. Since the Irish Way has a very
demanding schedule of classes, activities, and tours it is
important for each student to get the required amount of sleep.
Q.5 Can parents attend the program
with their child(ren)?
The program is reserved for students
only. However, parents may meet their child(ren) after the
program and travel with them in Ireland. Through an exclusive
partnership with Tenon
Tours, parents will be offered a specially-designed package at
a discounted rate. Tenon Tours provides international travel
experiences in Ireland year-round through numerous packages
including their Signature Tours, group trips, self-drive packages,
and custom tours.
Q.6 Will students have access to
laundry facilities?
The Irish Way will have two pick-up
dates for laundry. The first will be during the last few days in
Waterford (about 8 days into the program) and the other the last
few days in Dublin (about a week before returning home). We
suggest students bring a laundry bag, wash and wear clothes, and
put initials on all of their clothing tags. There are also
laundry facilities at Gort na Coiribe in Galway but the expense is
not covered by the Irish Way.
Q.7 How do students communicate with
family and friends back home?
Students will have limited access to
phones while on the Irish Way. Calling cards can be purchased in
Ireland and are generally cheaper than those in the US or Canada.
If students would like to rent a phone for the duration of their
stay in Ireland, we recommend renting a cell phone from Tenon
Tours. Internet is usually available 1-2 times/week at
Internet cafes, which most students find to be the most affordable
way to communicate with friends and family overseas.
Q.8 Can I bring a cell phone?
While cell phones are allowed, they
can be a very expensive option and are often a distraction during
the program. A significant part of the Irish Way is stepping
outside of your everyday world to experience new things. You want
to make sure you’re not letting things pass you by while you’re on
the phone. If you do decide you would like a cell phone while in
Ireland, we recommend renting a cell phone from Tenon
Tours.
Q.9 Can I bring a laptop?
Although we understand that life may
not be complete without a laptop back home, we find one to be
unnecessary during the Irish Way. They can be heavy and
cumbersome to travel with. Since there are many Internet cafes
you shouldn’t need a laptop for emailing home. If you’re thinking
about bringing a laptop along in order to download your digital
pictures you may want to consider bringing along an extra memory
card instead.
Q.10 When can parents expect to hear
from their child(ren)?
The Irish Way will update the blog
the day after the students arrive in Ireland to let them know they
have arrived safely. It is extremely important to keep our ILE
Team up to date with each parent/guardian’s current email
address. Students will be very busy with classes and tours the
first week, so it’s important to be patient. Your child(ren) are
in good hands as they adjust to a new country, learn a new
culture, travel the land, make new friends and have the most fun
possible!
Q.11 What is the best way for students
to get/carry money?
We recommend that students carry a
limited amount of cash and use a credit/debit card as needed. We
have found that debit cards are the best option for accessing
cash. Students should be aware of current exchange rates and
remember that amounts withdrawn overseas are stated in the local
currency, so “100" would be 100 Euros (roughly $130 USD). We
recommend they withdraw infrequent larger amounts, rather than
frequent smaller withdrawals, as most banks charge an
international transaction fee. The issuing bank for the card
should be notified in advance to avoid problems with using the
card overseas.
Q.12 How much do students spend on the
Irish Way?
We recommend a budget between
$500-$700 for out-of-pocket expenses. It’s important to discuss a
spending budget with your child(ren) prior to departure so
expectations are met. Students will receive a list of popular
souvenirs and the cost of each before they depart, which will help
determine what they may need to spend to fulfill their “wish
list.”
Q.13 How will I reach my child(ren) if
there is an emergency?
Students and parents will be given
the Irish Way Coordinator’s mobile number before the program
departs. The number is only to be used for emergency purposes.
Q.14 Is health insurance included?
Health insurance is not included in
the Irish Way. We do require that participants have valid
international health coverage for the duration of the program and
that a copy of their insurance information be submitted to our US
office prior to the departure date.
Q.15 What do I do if I get sick?
The Irish Way takes all precautions
available to ensure that students are traveling within a safe
environment, eating well-prepared meals, getting an appropriate
amount of sleep and sleeping within clean, safe surroundings at
all times. However, sometimes sickness is unavoidable in a large
group setting. We take every measure to ensure that students
receive appropriate medical care when necessary. Doctors are
close to every lodging location, and in cases where professional
medical care is needed the Irish Life Experience will arrange a
medical appointment. A staff member always stays with any student
receiving medical care and will alert family members that
treatment was given. We recommend each student bring cold
medicine, as the type found in Ireland is different from those in
the US or Canada.
Q.16 Are there any special rules or
policies I should be aware of?
Each student/parent will have to
sign a Participant and Parent Release. The Irish Way takes the
safety and behavior of our students very seriously. Violation of
any of our rules could result in a phone call to parents,
suspension from daily activities, or immediate expulsion from the
program.
Q.17 Who are coordinators?
Our leaders are full-time
coordinators for the Irish Way. Each coordinator has extensive
knowledge of Ireland. Our guides have led countless groups of
students to the Emerald Isle since 1998, as well as other tour
groups to locations around the world. Each coordinator holds a
common set of values regarding the standards of the company, a
single-minded dedication to excellence across the organization and
an absolute focus on the safety of the program and its
participants.
Q.18 Who are the counselors?
The counselors are college graduates
who have a passion for Ireland, education, and travel. Most are
alumni of the program who have studied Irish culture at college,
studied abroad, and have experience working with teenagers. They
are responsible adults whose priority is to ensure the safety of
each student and to help them have the experience of a lifetime.
Q.19 Are staff members qualified in
First Aid?
Yes. Students’ safety is our number
one priority. It’s a requirement for each Staff Member to be
trained in CPR and First Aid. Staff will have an orientation and
be trained how to respond in any emergency situation.
Q.20 Can my child visit family while
in Ireland?
If students have family in Ireland,
they will be able to visit them during their free time as long as
it does not interfere with required classes and tours. They must
have a permission slip from their parents, which must include
their family’s contact details. These visits must be pre-approved
by the Irish Way Coordinators.
Q.21 What if I want to extend my trip?
This is not uncommon, and in fact,
recommended as part of our parents’ trip through Tenon
Tours. Many students will want to extend their amazing
journey in Ireland and be able to show their parents a snapshot of
their experience. Any difference in airfare due to a change in
itinerary will be the responsibility of the passenger(s).
Q.22 What if I have to come home for
personal reason?
The Irish Way will look into these
circumstances on a case-by-case basis. In most situations,
parents will have to pay for the expense of a one-way ticket home.
Q.23 Do I have free time?
The Irish Way is designed to give
you free time in all of the various locations we stay. Time to
write home, reflect on your experience, and explore with your
friends. All of these are important parts of your journey.
Q.24 Will there be someone to meet me
at the JFK Airport if I have a connecting flight or prior to
departure?
Definitely. Students with connecting
flights into New York (JFK) are met after security by Irish Way
Counselors. They will escort each student to Terminal 4 and help
them check-in to the correct flight. It’s important to have all of
the connecting flight information for each student in advance, so
we will be able to coordinate these arrangements. We encourage
students with connecting flights to bring cell phones in case a
Counselor is unable to connect with a student. This will help the
Counselor set up a specific location to meet the student. Staff
will also be there to assist students with connecting flights
after they return from Ireland. Our goal is to ensure each
student reaches their appropriate destination safely.
Q.25 What is the food like?
The food is typical dormitory food.
Irish food can sometimes be bland and it takes awhile for students
to adjust to a different diet. We emphasize that students should
be open to trying new flavors and not be picky. Each boarding
school does their best to make sure students are eating healthy,
balanced, and nutritious meals. While in Galway, the Irish Life
will give each student a set amount of money to go shopping with
their roommates, so they will be able to prepare breakfast, lunch,
and dinner on their own. We recommend that parents send students
care packages with their favorite snacks, as students will often
crave some comforts from home.
Q.26 What if I am a lactose
intolerant, a vegan, or vegetarian?
The Irish Way can accommodate almost
all dietary needs. It is necessary to indicate food restrictions
so we can make proper arrangements. In addition, it is necessary
to specify any particular food allergies that you may have in
order for us to properly ensure you are getting the correct diet
while traveling abroad.
Q.27 Are the classes hard?
Classes are not rigorous. We
realize that this is your summer vacation, so teachers do their
best to make sure each class is as fun and interactive as
possible.
Q.28 How are students graded?
Each student will receive a grade at
the end of the program. The grade will be based on attendance,
participation in class, note taking ability, drama presentations,
completion of six workshops, and overall behavior. A copy will be
emailed to each parent upon request.
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