Friday, May 3rd, 2013
Hello 2013 ILE’ers!
My name is Aubrey Alexander and I live in Emporia, Kansas. I’m currently studying to be a High School Biology Teacher, so this summer will give me some great practice working with teenagers.
My great grandmother’s name was Kathleen McNamara and it was her dream to see her love of Ireland carried on through her generations. She made sure all of her grandchildren, my father included, had the opportunity to visit the land she loved and form a deeper relationship with our treasured heritage. My father experienced Ireland through the ILE Program and just as his grandmother intended; fell in love with the land and its people. In 2007, my father in turn, sent me to Ireland with the same program and his grandmother’s dream continued. The same with my sister in 2010-it’s a family tradition. It was love at first sight for all of us!
My adventure with the Irish Life Experience was quite possibly the best summer of my life! I made great friends that I sill keep in touch with, but what changed me the most was Ireland itself. It is a magical place, and its rich history and beauty touched my heart and soul. Through this special program, I formed a relationship with the Emerald Isle and it is truly where my heart will always belong.
A few random facts about me… In my spare time, I love to run. It is probably my favorite past time. I feel free when I run and it helps me clear my head. I especially love it when the weather outside is nice and I can run some place beautiful and enjoy the outdoors. I’m also a coffee lover-Caramel Macchiato anyone? And if you bring me a coffee, I will pretty much fall in love with you and be your best friend for life! If I could get paid to read books, I think that would be the best job in the world. Chelsea Handler and Jenna Marble are my two favorite blondes. I think they are hilarious. My boyfriend says I have a soft spot for kittens and ice cream. He’s kind of right. I love him, summertime, and country music.
I can’t wait to meet all of you in a few short weeks. Ireland is going to be so much fun! This may be my new best summer ever!
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
Céad Mile Fáilte (A Hundred Thousand Welcomes) to the Irish Life Experience, a summer study abroad program in Ireland offered to both American and Canadian High School students.
Over the course of four weeks during the summer in Ireland, high school students are introduced to its magical landscape and rich heritage through a variety of workshops, classes, and tours. Emphasizing culture, education, travel, safety, and fun, our programs insure a unique and unforgettable journey for every student.
Through generous donations, the Irish Life Experience has been able to afford the opportunity of academic travel many students and young people who have not been financially capable of joining our programs on their own.
You can help change and shape a young person’s life with a donation of any amount. Please consider helping our young people learn about the Irish culture and traditions, travel the exciting towns and landmarks of Ireland, and appreciate the Irish heritage.
Sunday, April 21st, 2013
Hey Everyone!
My name is Jaiden Toth. Since I was little, I have always dreamt about traveling the world. Now, it finally seems my dream might come true, as I have been given the opportunity to participate in the Irish Life Experience.
I am sixteen years old and currently a Sophomore at Polson High School in Polson, Montana. I have been involved in many extracurricular activities throughout the years. I was recently elected to serve as my Sophomore Class President for Board of Governors and I am an Honor’s student maintaining a 4.0 GPA. However, my love and passion is for sports. I have played Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball throughout the years. During most of my summers, I play ASA (Amateur Softball Association) Softball, which is an elite traveling team. I also play in an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Mission Valley Volleyball Team as the setter.
I live with my two wonderful parents, older and younger brother, and my dog, named Tex.
My father is a history teacher, so he has taught me a lot about the past. Learning about different cultures has always been important. While I am in Ireland, I will be attending fun classes and workshops, as well as going on various tours. I will learn first hand about Ireland’s history.
There are numerous reasons why I would love to partake in this once in a lifetime journey. I really look forward to seeing all of the beautiful sites and this would be a life changing experience. I want to become a worldy person, and to do that, I need to trek the globe to be acquainted with all walks of life.
It would be a dream come true to see the Emerald Isle, but I would need your help to get there. Please consider making a donation to help me participate in the Irish Life Experience.
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Dia Duit! My name is Amanda Harrod and I would love to travel to Ireland with the Irish Life Experience.
I’m currently a Junior at Polson High School, in Polson, Montana. I was born and raised in the small town of Polson, Montana. It’s a beautiful place to call home with Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains in my back yard. I love all that the Big Sky State has to offer.
I am very active. I play Soccer in the Fall and Track in the Spring. I have also been involved with Art Club, my Church’s Religious Education Group, Key Club, Rodeo Club, and I volunteer an average of eighty hours of community service every year. Giving back to others is a huge part of who I am.
This summer, I would love go to Ireland and participate in the Irish Life Experience. It is my goal to be introduced to Ireland’s incredible heritage through a variety of classes, tours and workshops, that emphasize culture and education. I believe this would be a once in a lifetime experience for me-learning about a different country that would truly expand my horizons. The Irish Life Experience would benefit me, before I set out in the real world and it would help me gain a new appreciation of the world beyond.
After my senior year of High School, I hope to attend Carroll College in Helena, Montana. I am interested in going into Pre-Med and possibly becoming a doctor in the future.
This experience will open up my eyes to a whole new world-a world that I will cherish and forever embrace. It is my wish to go to Ireland, but I won’t be able to make the journey without your support. Please consider making a donation to help make my dream come true.
Go Raibh Maith Agat!
Friday, November 16th, 2012
So…, being that I’m a little behind on pop culture, I just discovered what YOLO meant last summer during the Irish Life Experience. For those of you who don’t know, YOLO is the acronym for the phrase, “You Only Live Once,” which is often used as a hashtag on Twitter to bring attention to exciting events.
The acronym first started popping up around 2004, when Adam Mesh, from the NBC reality show, the Average Joe, launched a clothing line called YOLO. Since then, it’s been used in a few places sporadically. On Urban Dictionary, for a promotional website for San Francisco’s nightlife, and by the American Indie rock band-The Strokes. Then in the Fall of 2011, Canadian recording artist Drake, used the acronym in his new hip hop single, “The Motto.” On December 16th, 2011, The Huffington Post published a photo of American actor, Zac Efron (My future husband.) with YOLO tattooed on his right hand and in March of 2012 a Facebook page for YOLO already had 3,725 likes. Impressive to say the least!
So…, when the Irish Life Experience landed in Ireland last summer, there were many YOLO’s said as every day was exciting. However, a few amazing students (The Dream Team) coined a new motto. YOIIO-You’re Only In Ireland Once. How perfect! Now, we know that many of our alumni will return to Ireland again, and again, and again. However, if you study abroad in Ireland with the Irish Life Experience, #YOIIO will forever be your new motto.
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
1, 2, 3, Jab, 1, 2, 3, Hook, 1, 2, 3, Punch.
While the US has the Dream Team and the Fab Five, Ireland has the Celtic Warriors-boxers Katie Taylor, John Joe Nevin, Paddy Barnes, and Michael Conlan?
On August 9th, slugger Katie Taylor won Ireland’s first Olympic gold medal since 1996, when Michelle Smith won three gold and one bronze medal in Atlanta for swimming. A few days later, John Joe Nevin-a sliver, Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan-both a bronze. Success all around in the ring!
Team Ireland returned home from London, after its most successful Olympics since 1956. On Monday, 66 Irish athletes were welcomed by their relatives at Dublin Airport, before returning to their hometowns. Katie Taylor was welcomed by 20 thousand people gathered along the seafront of her home, in Bray, Co. Wexford. There were 6,000 people waiting for John Joe Nevin in Cusak Park in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, while the bronze medal winners of Barnes and Conlan, were greeted to a reception at the Titanic Center in Belfast.
Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, thanked the team on behalf of the Government and the Irish people. “You lifted the souls, minds, and hearts of the people in Ireland during this difficult economic climate,” Ring said.
The Guinness was flowing and there was much to be celebrated on the Emerald Isle this week. Meanwhile, the Celtic Warriors are already looking ahead to Rio 2016.
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
