Classic High School Exchange in Ireland South West (European students only) 2025

Next possible start dates: January 2025 and August 2025. Apply now!

Student Exchange in Ireland: Study in a local high school and live with an Irish host family

Be an exchange student in the South West of Ireland

This exchange program in the South West of Ireland is dedicated to European Union students looking for a one-in-a-lifetime academic experience in one of the most welcoming countries in the world! 

During their stay in the South West of Ireland, exchange students will discover the beauty of a typical Irish city, which is very well known for being home to one of the most important Irish national parks. Cork is a vibrant city, a former European Culture capital, and a very attractive place for young people!

What should I expect from my school year in Ireland?

• Graduation is possible during this program, as long as you succeed at the final exams of the Leaving Certificate. 
• Students are enrolled in an Irish Public School and may participate for a full academic year, a semester, or a term program.
• The Irish education system is highly compatible with many other education systems worldwide, thus allowing students to con-validate their credits with no problems.
• Diversity of public schools available: Mixed schools, only girl’s schools or only boys. 
• Coordinator available 24/7 during your stay, providing all the necessary support. 

Students are places in 7th, 8th, 10th, or 11th grade. 

Cork city and suburbs: if you wish to be placed in Cork city and suburbs, apply early!

Looking for the capital city? Have a look at our High School exchange in Dublin! 

Your Exchange Program Duration

Academic year:  August to June
Semester: 

• August to January
• January to May

Teenage life in Ireland includes extracurricular activities that Irish students attend at school or in local clubs, such as sports, language courses, Arts, Music, Theater, gym, etc.

We encourage you to sign up for extracurricular activities: you make new friends, practice English in a different environment than the classroom, stay fit and busy, and build strong relationships with teens from different backgrounds. This is an additional value to your exchange program in Ireland. 

During your High School Study Abroad in Ireland, you live with a host family, providing all meals taken at home (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). International students will be placed with warm host families.

If you are interested in applying for a term, a semester or full academic year in Ireland, you must follow the following steps:

1. We will first determine your maturity and interest level through an interview. 
2. After having conducted the interview, we will require you to complete the online sign up and make a initial payment of 265 EUR. Upon registration, we will send you the application forms that must be returned within the next 30 days. 
3. Once you are accepted in the program, we will send you an official acceptance letter and invoice. 
4.  A month prior to your arrival, we will be sharing with you the school and family placement. 
5. Last but not least, students are in charge of purchasing their international tickets. Please inform us of the necessary details, so we can arrange your transfers. 

For more information please feel free to contact our Educational Advisor.

High School exchange in County Cork and County Kerry (EU students only)

* Costs in EUR per participant.

** We may also be able to place some students in Cork City (supplement of 500 EUR for a term, 650 EUR for a semester, 1000 EUR for an academic year). 

Not included : Application Fees (65 EUR)

High School Abroad in Cork: 

• Term Abroad Cork
• Semester Abroad Cork
  
• School Year Abroad Cork
• Mini High School Experience Ireland

Start Dates: 

• August start
  
• January start

Price includes

• 20+ years of experience providing high-quality study-abroad programs
  
• Processing of student applications
• Host family accommodation with full board (packed lunches on school days)
• Orientation on arrival by the local coordinator
• Airport pick-up and transfer on first arrival (Dublin -on arrival only, Cork, Shannon, Kerry) and final departure only (Cork, Shannon, Kerry), at requested airport 
• Support, assistance and 24/7 Hotline during the whole program.
• Access to an in-country support team, and Nacel Student Support staff
  
• Support, assistance, and 24/7 Hotline
• Regular Progress Feedback
  
  

Price does not include

• Round-trip international airfare
• Non compulsory insurances (luggage lost, flight delay etc.)
• Visa, passport and medical exam fees
• Extra activities organized by schools and others
• Daily transfers from family to school (bus passes might be necessary)
• Accommodation during Christmas and Easter holidays (400 EUR for Easter, 550 EUR for Christmas)
• Food supplement (Gluten Free/Celiac disease - Vegan - Lactose Intolerance) = 50 EUR/month
• Additional cost for private transfers from Dublin €350
• School uniforms and sport uniforms (around 150 EUR), school books (from 50 to 350 EUR depending on schools), extra language courses, Transition Fee in some schools (between 200 and 700 EUR)
• Early departure/late arrival supplement (100 EUR)
• Additional homestay nights (30 EUR)
• Transfers for Christmas and Easter
• Personal expenses and spending money
• Cork city placement
• Medical, Liability and Emergency Repatriation Insurance

Exchange students must be interviewed in their home country before being accepted for a High School exchange in Cork (preferably in English).
A minimum of two years of English study and good academic results are required.
This high school exchange in Cork and Killarney areas is only open to European Union students.