Program Reviews

Having been looking for an outdoorsy, social experience, this program met my expectations and more. Each week was filled with activities such as surfing, hiking, bushcraft, and exploring various towns and cities, with each being very enjoyable. There was something for everyone. that said, the best part for me was the tight-knit group. Being in such close quarters creates a strong social connection between everyone through exciting activities. As someone who didn’t quite feel prepared for college. I feel like Irish Gap Year gave me a social experience comparable to it but with far more exciting days and a beautiful backdrop in Bundoran. amazing experience would highly recommend it.

This was an interesting program, and overall I enjoyed my time here. Some mental health things made it a little hard to enjoy it sometimes. Overall the program directors were good at addressing that, and kept us safe. There were a few times they made decisions that I felt were unwise or perhaps not thought out completely, and while concerning those decisions never actually put anyone in danger. The art was amazing, and I feel like I grew a lot as a person and as an artist. Living on my own in a house full of people was really usefull as a way to grow, and I hope to take what I have learned in this program onwards in my life.

I’ve really loved this program, and felt that it was a really good fit for me as a person. We had a lot of options, and I got to learn and expand my knowledge on art forms I hadn’t had experience in previously. Charcoal comes to mind as an art form I have had no previous experience in, as does oil paint. I loved the instructors; they were all welcoming and very good at what they do, and I will miss them when I leave. The found art instructor, Ken, helped me see art in a brand new light, and I am very grateful for that. Instructors taught me how to be more carefree with my work and made the process less stressful once my personal anxieties about being perfect were removed.

I think this was a lot of fun and I’m really glad I did this. I wish I did more art and I also wish I went on more trips. I also wish I went on more walks on trails because it is such a beautiful country and I want to see more of it. It’s a really peaceful town and I enjoyed that. I’m glad I came here. This program isn’t for everyone but I really enjoyed it and am glad I did this. I think being in a smaller group would have been better but it was already a pretty small group. I loved marking so much art and trying new mediums that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I came to this program because my high experience had completely stripped me of my love of learning and I wanted something new to try and reanimate myself. This program did just that. If my morning views of the mountains and the cliffs with crashing waves and cows outside my kitchen window weren’t enough, the hospitality of the people in Bundoran and the program leaders along with the exceptional teaching from the art tutors made this an entirely unique and deeply meaningful experience. It’s going to be hard to leave and harder not to come back to Bundoran forever.

I came to the Irish Gap Year after a while of being down after some life events, alongside the stress of school. Although concerned about being out of country for so long, I was astonished at how much of a good experience this was! You meet a lot of great people, learn a lot of new things, and see many new places to boot. You really get the experience of being left alone for a while, even if you’re still well protected and surrounded with peers. So, obviously, I would highly recommend this if you’re looking to explore and meet people just like you, alongside perusing an interest you may have not focused on beforehand.

This program was awesome. We did so many great things from hiking steep mountains to driving boats for a scavenger hunt. The people here were so fun and the staff were great! This program is great for if you want to improve on social and leadership skills. The landscape here is so pretty and gorgeous. All the towns and cities are so vibrant and filled with life. We have so many chances to build our selves and make new friends either for just a moment or for life. I recommend this program for whoever loves Ireland and meet new people.

The Irish Gap Year program has equally challenged and supported me throughout the experience. It was a great introduction to the physical and mental challenges of hiking and all the other outdoor activities. The group and leaders were the best motivation through all of the outdoor activities and because of that group support everything we ever did was pure fun. Throughout the entire program I grew as a person and am leaving with a better sense of self. Leaving with more confidence and less fear has been extremely awarding and will help me accomplish my future goals.

When I first heard about Irish gap year, I knew I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to go months before, and I couldn’t wait to go. While my siblings were getting ready for college, I had Irish gap year to look forward to. I was still nervous about being away from my family for 3 months since I’ve never been away from them that long. But when I got there, I didn’t feel as homesick. There were so many activities that kept me busy, and they were all fun. I was able to get out of my comfort zone, and meet people I never would have met otherwise. Even though I’ll be leaving Ireland, I’ll have so many fond memories from my experience!

I would recommend everyone who graduates HS to do a gap year, and this is one of the best choices. If you participate with intent, you will have personal growth. It is a great time to think about yourself and your future.

Personally, I did not know what I wanted to do in my future. I’m accepted to a university (TCNJ) deferred for a year and figured out that I want to a trade school. I have noticed my maturity has increased, and my future more truly envisioned than ever. Not doing this program is your fault.