EIL Intercultural Learning

Feel like a Hollywood star in 2025 with a Study Abroad USA programme! We have great options waiting for you 🇺🇸

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland.

Two young activists from our own network in Aleesha Wiegandt and Mairead Redmond attended the 29th Youth Assembly by AFS Intercultural Programs as scholarship recipients for their work as youth activists, educators and climate justice entrepreneurs along with Adam Peerbux to represent Ireland at this global platform.

Over 400 young leaders from over 80 nations worldwide came together to exchange actions and impacts on four themes...

1. Global Shocks: Tackling Humanitarian Crises
2. Future of Education: Leveraging Technology & Innovation
3. Transform Our Future: Unite for Climate Action
4. Food Security: Strengthen Global Food Systems

Approximately 800 people attended this global platform to engage and discuss the current situation and ultimately how to become more active in global impact outputs.

Many leading activists and guest speakers attended to share their experiences, actions and plans and it was a huge opportunity for networking and collaborating with peers.

The opening ceremony and assembly was held in the United Nations
Headquarters and this underlined the overall move towards a more just and sustainable approach led by the inspiring young leaders from across the world 🌍🕊️





We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer. To find out more about our work & passion for experiential learning please visit our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353214551535 or [email protected]

The Study Abroad Department and EIL Volunteers welcomed students from all around the globe onto Irish shores this weekend.

After landing, all students took part in a great orientation discussing intercultural learning and the adventure ahead. Thank you to all who took part!🇮🇪

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland

✨Today, we bid farewell to our Erasmus+ intern, Joshua Erstling, from Germany 🇩🇪 . Joshua has been an incredible addition to our team, bringing fresh perspectives, dedication, and a strong work ethic during his time with us. His contributions have been truly valuable, and we are grateful for the energy and enthusiasm he brought to every project ✨

Joshua, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope our paths cross again. Thank you for being a part of our journey! 🤗

Safe travels back to Germany, and keep in touch!

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We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer. To find out more about our work & passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

Yesterday we welcomed 12 Japanese students to our Cork office for a great arrival orientation. The Study Abroad Team spent the day getting to know the students and highlighting the importance of their journey ahead! It was a great day with loads of laughs and smiles.

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland.

The Youth Ambassador Programme - a lovely recap of the cultural exchange as we hosted our Hong Kong delegates this July.

This particular exchange is now 20 years old and the partnership and collaboration with the 青年發展委員會 Youth Development Commission has seen many young people have the opportunity to engage in a unique cultural exchange.

The Irish Youth Ambassadors are selected from another strong partnership and collaboration we have with Foróige and this year we saw the Glanmire, Mahon and Mayfield communities in Cork City have young people representing Ireland as cultural ambassadors. The Youth Workers and volunteers involved are also such an asset in this youth exchange.

We look forward to 2025 to celebrate the 21st edition of this invaluable Youth Ambassador Programme.

Don't believe how life changing an EIL/AFS programme can be ? Read the testimonies to find out!

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland.

Three representatives from our incredible volunteer network are currently in Cieszyn, Poland with their peers from all over the network.

European Federation for Intercultural Learning hosts an annual Volunteer Summer Summit that sees volunteers from all over Europe engage in peer learning and sharing as well as attending lectures, workshops and activities. This year's theme will have a focus on "volunteer based youth work for active citizenship".

It's also a great opportunity for our three volunteers to network and develop potential collaborations as well as just make friends.

Keep up to date with their week in Poland on our Facebook and Instagram stories.

Best of luck to all involved, especially Andrew Ormsby who is part of the facilitating team and our two other attendees Jennifer Burns and Patrick O'Connor.





We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning, please visit our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

Thank you to the Irish Embassy of Peoples Republic of China and particularly Ambassador He Xiangdong. Our Hong Kong Youth Ambassadors were hosted to a special audience with the Ambassador in his residence in Dublin, Ireland.

Ambassador He spoke passionately and informatively about Irish / Chinese relations and discussed the importance of diversity, collaborative efforts on sustainability as well as the parallels between Ireland and China. The discussion also highlighted the key role young people play in creating and developing innovative spaces and platforms to ensure a more just and peaceful world through action.

The Youth Ambassadors had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and hear how the links between Ireland and China have supported local and international development as well as what exciting opportunities are coming.

After a round table discussion, the Ambassador and his wife Madam Xia Lining hosted a garden tea party where more informal chats continued. Also present were Attachés of the Chinese Embassy of Ireland who also were happy to join the many conversations.

We would like again to thank The Embassy of Peoples Republic of China for hosting the Youth Ambassadors who spent a week in Ireland on a cultural immersion exchange with Irish young people.





We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning, please visit our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland

Where will you go, France or Germany?

We are happy to announce we are now offering shorter programmes for Students in 2025 to travel and learn abroad. Time to dust off your suitcase, France or Germany await!

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland.

We were delighted to welcome Avril Ryan, the dynamic CEO of Gaisce – The President’s Award, to our office in Cork today. She is pictured with our team member Adam Peerbux who is a committed champion of youth activism. It was a pleasure to hear her insights and vision for empowering young people.

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or info@eilireland.

🌈 Happy Pride Month from EIL/AFS Ireland! 🌈

We celebrate the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and stand together in solidarity for love, acceptance, and equality. At EIL/AFS Ireland, we believe in creating a world where everyone can be their authentic selves, free from discrimination and prejudice.

This month, let's amplify LGBTQ+ voices, educate ourselves on their history and challenges, and support initiatives that make a positive impact. Join us in spreading love and acceptance, today and every day.



We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

EIL/AFS Ireland invites you to become a Member of our organisation
Anybody over 16 years of age who shares the Vision, Mission, and Values of EIL Intercultural Learning is invited to become a member of the organisation:
Our vision is “a just and tolerant world where all cultures thrive together in peace.”
Our mission is “to provide intercultural learning experiences that enrich lives and inspire global citizenship.”
Our core values of integrity, diversity, and passion are the stars that guide us.

http://bit.ly/membership-eil

Hola Mexico! 🇲🇽 Our second group of Explore Scholarship winners has made it to Mexico safe and sound. Join us in wishing them “buena suerte” for their next 8 weeks of exploring, learning, and volunteering in Mexico. 🌍🤝

All the best @ Amandine, Jodie, Kerrie, René, and Tea!

Thanks to all the colleges and partners involved in making this happen!

👉 Visit www.eilireland.org/explore/ if you want to find out more about our fully funded Explore scholarships.

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

This week we say hasta la vista to our wonderful finance intern, José Antonio Rivas. From Seville in Spain, José has been an invaluable addition to our team at large. He has also spent time with our programme participants and volunteer network, living the mission of . José's experience was made possible through Erasmus + funding from the European Union, an initiative which is crucial for encouraging educational mobility in Europe.

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

Léargas

As an educational nonprofit with the mission of fostering peace through the development of active global citizens, the UN’s SDGs underpin everything we do. Our CEO, Aideen O’Leary recently met with Gustavo Sénéchal (diplomat and AFS International board member) in UN headquarters in New York to discuss our commitment to the SDGs, with a particular focus on 4 (quality education), 10 (reduced inequality) and 16 (peace and justice).

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

🌟 We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new strategy at AFS, and it's more than just a plan – it's a commitment to creating a better world together!

The world needs more Active Global Citizens: AFS helps create them.

Our vision at AFS is to ensure a more peaceful, just, equitable and sustainable future. To ensure such a future, the world needs more Active Global Citizens: people whose informed, compassionate, and ethical compass drives them to lead lives and make decisions that contribute to a better world.

Through our Programs, Education initiatives, Volunteerism and Advocacy efforts, AFS helps create Active Global Citizens.

https://afs.org/about-afs/ -nav-mission

The importance of developing active global citizens was on the agenda recently when our CEO Aideen O'Leary and colleagues from AFS International, New Zealand, Paraguay, Hungary and Austria were hosted by Tara Hoffman and Melvin Harmon of AFS USA.

AFS Intercultural ProgramsAFS USA AFS Paraguay

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]

Wishing our amazing AFS Thai students, Famie, Merlyn, and Kiki, a fond farewell as they prepare to depart this weekend. It's been a privilege to host these remarkable individuals, and we're thrilled to have been part of their incredible journey! They've left a lasting impact on our community, and we're confident they'll cherish the memories they've made here. A special thank you to Cork English College and Cork City Council, especially Lord Mayor Clr. Kieran McCarthy, for their support and collaboration in organizing the students' visit to the Lord Mayor's office. Until we meet again, take care and stay in touch! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🇮🇪🇪🇪🇪🇹🇹🇹🇹🇭

We would love to hear from you whether you are a parent, potential participant or volunteer, or just generally interested in our mission. To find out more about our work and passion for experiential learning please see our website www.eilireland.org or contact the team on +353 21 455 1535 or [email protected]
AFS Intercultural Programs