Ireland – Education Experience

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Europe or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

 

Program Highlights

  • Discover the historical and art culture of the Irish Republic’s cities
  • Help enrich the lives of local children and youth through creating fun and educational activities
  • Enhance your childcare and teaching skills
  • Engage in positive cultural exchange during your stay with a local host family
  • Explore Ireland’s landscape during free time with fellow volunteers

 

Your schedule at a glance (Minimum three-week duration)*:

Arrival Day, Monday: Arrive at Cork Airport (ORK). The local field team will be waiting to pick you up and take you to a nearby hostel. Volunteers will have free time to greet each other and explore the city center following check-in. In the evening, the group will enjoy a traditional Irish night of dinner, music and dancing.

Day 1, Tuesday: Following breakfast, volunteers will be transferred from the hostel to the volunteer center for a full orientation. Following lunch, participants will embark on a two-hour city tour of Cork before transferring to the program site.

Day 2, Wednesday: Volunteers will receive orientation at the program before beginning volunteer work.

Days 3, Thursday– last Friday of program: Volunteers will work five days per week, and have two days free that may or may not be on weekends.

Departure Day: Volunteers can choose to depart on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

*Please note: During the school year the minimum duration is six weeks, during the summer months some locations accept for a minimum of three weeks.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Various locations, Ireland

Project length Project length: Min 3 weeks – Max 6 months

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Cork Airport (ORK)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Childcare, teaching

Age Age:  Min age 18

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 2 international volunteers

Important Note Important Note: Please ensure that you are eligible for a visa to enter Ireland before registering for this project. Obtaining the proper visa is the sole responsibility of the volunteer. During the school year the minimum duration is 6 weeks, during the summer months some locations accept for a minimum of 3 weeks

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Host family / shared apartments

Food Food: Three meals per day, excluding Arrival Day

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers:  Airport pickup is provided upon arrival

Orientation Orientation: A full welcome orientation and a city tour are included on Day 1

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunch on Arrival Day, personal expenses.

Ireland is a European island, located just west off the coast of England. Ireland’s tourism is growing, and the welcomeness from its inhabitants and their abundant hospitality play a large role in this. Ireland is also well-known for its lush, green landscape.

 

Based on previous experience, volunteers will be placed in either a playschool, summer camp program or community center. During the school year, volunteers at the playschools will work with children between the ages of three and twelve to organize and run the after-school activities club, and in the summer assist with summer camps. Volunteers in the community centers an help in different ways including organizing and running youth clubs and homework clubs as well as assisting with basic childcare tasks. Volunteers may also assist in the community garden. Specific tasks will vary based upon previous experience, time of year and project needs.

Play School After-School Club: This placement is located in Cork and accepts volunteers September through June.

Kids aged: 3-12
Minimum duration: 6 weeks
Police clearance: Volunteers staying 10 weeks or longer will require an extra Irish Vetting process (minimum 4 week processing time)
Volunteer Tasks: Volunteers will assist the after-school club staff in organizing activities including arts and crafts, baking or drama class, outside time, lunch and a third activity of the day.

Summer Camps: Volunteers will be placed in one of three summer camps during the months of July and August.
Placements are assigned according to availability and needs of the community.

Cork Summer Camp:
This summer camp in Cork works with children aged 3-12. Volunteers will assist the camp counselors in organizing fun activities such as the rope swing, face painting, dodge ball, mud garden, treasure hunts etc. Minimum duration of six weeks is required. Volunteers staying 10 weeks or longer will require an extra Irish Vetting process (minimum 4 week processing time).

Clonmel Summer Camp:
This summer camp hosts children from ages 4-12. This summer camp is very focused on sports and outdoor activities. Volunteers may be involved in assisting camp counselors organizing activities such as obstacle courses, team sports, giant bowling, treasure hunts, art and crafts, zumba and dance classes and more. Minimum duration of three weeks is required. Additional Irish Vetting process required for all participants regardless of duration. (minimum 4 week processing time).

Kinsale Summer Camp:
This summer camp caters to teenagers, aged 13-17 and is for adventure-lovers. Volunteers will help the camp counselors organize activities such as sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, archery and more. Experience in these specific sports is not a requirement; however volunteers should have some experience with outdoor sports activities in general. Volunteers will be trained by instructors and it generally takes two weeks to get familiar with the equipment, health and safety rules etc. Minimum duration of four weeks is required.

Internet icon Internet: Internet is available with most host families and in the shared apartments.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry is available with host families and in the shared apartments.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in a hostel the night of Arrival Day, in a shared, mixed-gender room with 3-7 other people. Volunteers will be staying with host families for the remainder of their stay. Volunteers will either have a private room or share with one other volunteer of the same gender. During summer months, volunteers will have the choice to stay in a private room in a shared apartment. Meals are not included with the apartment option.

Food icon Food:  All meals are included during work days and on weekends if volunteers stay with their host families. Lunch on Arrival Day is not included. Meals are not included with the apartment accommodations.

 

 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Minimum age of 18
  • Police clearance
  • Intermediate level of English
  • CV/ Resume
  • Previous experience working with children
  • Energetic, open-minded and ability to work in a team

 

Some of the country’s most well-known destinations are easily accessible, and around three hours away. Highlights include the sea cliffs of Moher, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, the wildflowers of the Burren and more! The local field team can assist volunteers in planning fun things to do and see.

 

Volunteer Experiences

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