What clothes should I bring?
Bring clothes for all types of weather and occasions. The weather changes daily in Ireland so bring, jacket, trainers, sports wear, swimwear, smart casual clothes.
School shoes?
School shoes are not provided with your uniform. Bring black shoes but not trainers. Feel free to post a photo of your school shoes and I will tell you if they are suitable.
Do I supply my own towels and toiletries?
Your host family will supply your bedding and towels. You must supply your own toiletries, eg, shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving supplies, and sanitary wear.
Pocket Money?
Please ensure your child has access to Pocket money, bank card, revolut card.
School uniform, school books?
We will ensure your uniform is ready for when you arrive. Depending on your school, school books are either provided by us or your school.
Family occasions?
April and May are busy times for Irish kids to make their First Holy Communion or Confirmation. Many families will be celebrating these occasions with other family members. You will also be part of this day so please bring suitable smart clothes for the day.
Sports wear?
Irish kids are very sporty so bring sportswear, shorts, training tops/T Shirts, football socks, football boots.
School bag?
You will need to bring a backpack for school. Your host family will provide a lunch box for your packed lunch if lunch is not provided in your school.
Stationary supplies?
You will need some pens and paper for class. Your host family will bring you to the shop to buy this if you cannot fit it in your luggage.
Medical Conditions and Medication?
Please let us know if you are taking medication for anything. It’s important that we are given this information.
What if I don’t like the food?
If there are foods you don’t like, please tell your host family. They will not be offended and would much prefer you tell them the foods you like and dislike.
Are there rules around Mobile phone usage?
Each school has their own mobile phone policy and you will be informed of this on your first day. Mobile phone usage within the host family is at the discretion of the host family. Students must follow the host families rules on phone usage.
Do I have to sit school exams?
We expect all our students to take part in all aspects of school life.
What level of English do I need for a school year in Ireland?
To attend a school year in Ireland, you should have a medium to high level of English to be able to follow the classes correctly, as schools in Ireland do not have the English as a Second Language (ESL) reinforcement subject. If you are not sure about your child’s English level, we can perform a level test to evaluate if they have the sufficient level to attend secondary or high school in Ireland.
Do you accompany students to Ireland? Who picks them up at the airport?
We accompany students to the destination country if they are large groups, otherwise they travel alone. Once at the airport, the coordinator of the company there picks them up and takes them to the host family.
Can I apply for a place for quarters and if it goes well, extend it to a full year?
Yes, although it is an option that must be considered at the time of registration, as we will have to find a school that accepts students for the quarter and then allows them to extend their stay.
Until when do I have time to register to study in Ireland?
The sooner the better, although at the latest in June. However, there may always be exceptions depending on the available places in the schools.
When will I know my host family in Ireland?
Normally one month in advance- before arrival. We send the profile of the host family so that the student can already contact them so that they already know each other and put a face to the name upon arrival.
Do I need to take out medical insurance?
Ireland is part of the European Union, so the student should get the European health insurance card that will already serve them in Ireland. Although if parents want, they can take out extra travel insurance.
Specific FAQ for Spain:
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Can I validate the course in Ireland when I return to Spain?
All of our schools are recognized by the Irish Ministry of Education and the European Union. The quarter and half-quarter course does not have validation, although students usually do not have problems when returning to their course in Spain and catching up for evaluation exams. The entire academic year in Ireland is validated upon returning to Spain.
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Can I travel to Spain for Christmas and Easter or can my family come to see me during my school year in Ireland?
Students must return to Spain for Christmas and Easter, as our host families also need to rest. The family can visit the student as long as they have notified us beforehand so we can manage it.
