Adventure and Leadership Program: Semester Length, Fall and Spring Cohorts

Overall, it was a pretty cool program! The best part by far was just getting to be outside so much. I was nervous at first, but ended up absolutely loving the surfing, however, I do wish we got to do more of it. The hikes we went on were also so fun, though it can get annoying hiking through bogs, the natural and different beauty of Ireland is something I will never get enough of. The bushcrafting workshops were also a huge highlight, it was so much fun to learn how to set up a camp and cook over a fire, and then get to actually use those skills to camp!

Shoutout house 8🙏

I couldn’t be happier that I chose to do this Irish Gap Year program. I have grown so much as a young adult on this trip and it has also strongly informed my college decision and aspirations for the future.

The surfing in Bundoran is so good and the town itself has a lively yet chill beach town vibe.

I also met several cool people that I hope to stay connected with in the future. Because it was such a small group of gappers, it gave me the opportunity to really get to know my peers and build meaningful connections.

Great craic!!

I was on the spring adventure & leadership program 2025. Nature in Donegal (& all of Ireland) is absolutely beautiful! Weather not so much (cold!! rainy!!) but it gets better in late April/into May. The hikes are mainly off trail, but I think they are suitable for most people as long as you are relatively athletic. Surfing is cold, and waves unpredictable, wetsuits are provided though and you are well supported in the water by staff!

Speaking of staff— everyone is absolutely amazing! Everyone is so friendly and genuine, I felt very supported and I will miss them all a lot. Shoutout to the legends themselves Joe, Sheelagh (and her very cute very sweet dog Ludene), Andrew, and Jules!!!!

The housing in Portbeg is kind of far from town, it’s a long walk (15 minutes to the closest buildings) but they might move the houses so idk how relevant this will be. The wifi and hot water go out a lot. Rooms are very nice, and some people have their own.

Bundoran is small, there’s not much nightlife here, especially because it’s off-season. Some good live music at a couple of pubs!

I think it’s definitely an exciting program, with each day being very packed. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to see the beautiful scenery of Ireland, this program is definitely for you. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone many times, from cold plunging to cliff jumping. While these things seemed daunting, they refreshed me afterwards. I also learned the importance of being self reliant when it came to preparing for activities for the day.

While I certainly enjoyed this program, it may not for everyone.

My experience with IGY has been overwhelmingly positive. From the thrilling adventures that constantly push me out of my comfort zone to the incredible surf days that leave me feeling energized and connected to nature, this program has offered so many unforgettable moments. Beyond the excitement, what truly makes IGY special is the sense of community, personal growth, and the opportunity to explore new perspectives. There’s so much to appreciate, and it’s an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time.

I really enjoyed the three months I spent here. I had a great time on the Adventure and Leadership program, made lifelong friends, and explored Irish cities. Most people are social and are down to go out to the pubs every weekend. I loved surfing and playing in the water. The program leaders were awesome (especially Joe and Sheelagh). The houses are cool, and the food is just okay (a little repetitive sometimes). I would recommend this program to anyone adventurous and willing to spend time outside.

It was really fun going on this gap semester. meeting new people, you and the leaders. exploring a new place in a different country and learning their culture and how different it is from the US. Doing bushcraft and surfing is also a fun experience to do more. The places we visit are fun, and maybe I can try to buy trinkets to bring back home to hang on the walls or put on shelves to remember my time here. Hanging out with people here is always interesting because you learn about people who live in different states.

Having been looking for an outdoorsy, social experience, this program met my expectations and more. Each week was filled with activities such as surfing, hiking, bushcraft, and exploring various towns and cities, with each being very enjoyable. There was something for everyone. that said, the best part for me was the tight-knit group. Being in such close quarters creates a strong social connection between everyone through exciting activities. As someone who didn’t quite feel prepared for college. I feel like Irish Gap Year gave me a social experience comparable to it but with far more exciting days and a beautiful backdrop in Bundoran. amazing experience would highly recommend it.