High School Abroad in Ireland
Live with an Irish family, study at a local school, and revel in a unique cultural wonderland.
Get ready for an authentic Irish educational experience, complete with a traditional school uniform. At a local high school (single gender or coed), you’ll study alongside Irish peers and choose from a wide variety of courses, all taught in English. Get placed in your own level, or request to attend 10th grade, the traditional "transition year" in Ireland and a unique hands-on learning experience where cultural and enrichment activities take a central role: learn how to ride a horse or balance a budget, get intro courses on new and different topics such as business or entrepreneurship...etc.
At your homestay, live like a local! Most of our placements are within 90 minutes of Dublin airport in suburban or rural areas, giving you easy access to the outdoors, and providing you with amazing insights into the authentic Irish lifestyle. If you're set on spending your semester in Dublin, it is possible but may require an additional fee.
What will you do on weekends? Catch the latest movie on a rainy day in Dublin. Surf at Lahinch Beach, a rugged beach near the Cliffs of Moher. Visit the Ring of Kerry, a peninsula in southern Ireland. These are just a few of the activities students do with their host families, CIEE friends, and other international students.
The Take-Aways
Independence & Resilience
Come home better prepared to make transitions, take control of new situations, and appreciate challenging experiences for what they are: opportunities to learn and grow.
College Readiness
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
Global Citizenship
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.
93%
said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
79%
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
96%
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
The Destination
Rolling hills, bustling cities, and historic sites make the Emerald Isle an unforgettable learning environment.
Discover the majesty and rich culture of the Emerald Isle.
With CIEE, you’ll have the unique opportunity to experience Ireland as its own people do. Give Gaelic football a try with your classmates after school, or meet up with friends at the local pub on a Saturday afternoon for traditional Irish stew and soda bread. Join your homestay for a scenic drive, or hike through the countryside on a crisp fall afternoon.
Through classes at a local high school, extracurricular activities, and living with a homestay, you’ll immerse yourself completely in Irish culture and discover what it’s like to step outside of your comfort zone and make the world your classroom.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Ireland.
Orientation
Upon arrival in Ireland, you’ll be picked up at the airport by CIEE staff and begin your two-day orientation in Dublin. During orientation, you will participate in different workshops focusing on a variety of themes—culture, language, academics, social norms, current events—all designed to prepare you for your experience in Ireland. Additionally, you’ll see some of the best that Dublin has to offer!
After orientation, you will depart for your host community and spend a couple of days with your homestay before starting school.
Program Blogs
Life in England as an American Student
Hi, my name is Alyse Takken and I am a seventeen-year-old American studying in England. When I moved to England there were many things I did expect, like great architecture... keep reading
My Journey to Ireland - A Blog Takeover by Simone!
The idea of Studying abroad has always been a plan in my life. My older sister studied abroad as a high school student and spent a lot of time studying... keep reading
An Irish St. Patrick's Day
I've always wondered what St. Patrick's Day is like in Ireland. It's the one holiday that makes everyone think of Ireland, rainbows, and leprechauns. First of all, it's not as... keep reading
Sample Activities
The land of Shaw, Swift, Joyce, Lewis, and Yeats beckons. Ireland’s rolling green hills are dotted with cozy tearooms and medieval castles. Yet cities are equally known for their tech and pop music scenes. Irish history comes alive during excursions to museums, cathedrals, galleries, and historic sites in and around Dublin. Farther afield, you might travel to Achill Island, Connemara, and Galway in the West of Ireland, or journey to Northern Ireland to tour Belfast. You’ll have plenty of time to discover the country—on your own, with new CIEE friends, or maybe even your homestay!
Tuition for this program includes the cost of one day trip and one overnight trip per semester. Trips will take place earlier in the semester to allow trimester students the opportunity to participate. These trips vary every semester, but some examples of past excursions include:
3 Day Overnight Trip Examples
Carlingford Overnight Trip
Journey to the enchanting town of Carlingford, located on the edge of in County Louth and at the base of the iconic Cooley Mountains. The medieval charm of this town is apparent in its historic Carlingford Castle. Create lasting memories with your peers while exploring cobbled streets as well as the beauty of rugged landscapes. Delve into the heart of Irish cooking and try your hand at preparing traditional meals on a local farm.
Kilkenny Historical Visit
Have fun strengthening bonds with your program peers while taking in the many exciting sites in the medieval city of Kilkenny. Work together to follow the Nore Valley Treasure Trail, explore the famous castle and surrounding park, and sample modern Irish cuisine where you’ll surely be surprised with the range of food options available. You’ll also take a hike above the 5th century monastery of Glendalough which is situated in a glacial valley consisting of two lakes.
1 Day Trip Examples
Lough Erne
Take part in archery, ziplining, and more at this scenic lake in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.
Boyne Valley
Explore Ireland’s 5,000-year-old past and modern mysticism in the Boyne Valley.
Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, their flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
High school abroad participants are NOT authorized to volunteer, take jobs, or seek employment during their stay.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 19 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $21,750 |
| Program Spring Trimester 2025 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $17,250 |
| Program Academic Year 2024 41 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $29,500 |
| Program Fall 2024 26 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $21,750 |
| Program Fall Trimester 2024 18 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $17,250 |
Our Staff
Enda O’Connell
Center Director
Enda is responsible for overall management of CIEE Dublin. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education Teaching from Dublin City University and the equivalent of a Master’s degree in...