Exchange Student Program Ireland

The island nation is Poblacht na h'Éireann, more popularly called Éire. A rather quiet, gentle country—both in landscape and human temperament—the Republic of Ireland is small enough to fit entirely into Lake Superior. Yet, the Irish people, and particularly the prodigious numbers of Irish emigrants, have substantially shaped the politics, history, culture, and economy of the English-speaking world.

Ireland has been dominated by Great Britain for much of its history, so that most of the country speaks English, and much of its architecture and many of its institutions bear a British stamp.

The distinctive Irish character is shaped by old-fashioned, family-oriented, essentially rural qualities: kindliness, lack of pretension, gregariousness, and a penetrating, often self-effacing wit. Irish literature, music and food are held in the highest regard among people of discriminating tastes throughout the world; though, indeed, the island's most significant "export" traditionally has been Irish emigrants, who greatly outnumber the population of Ireland. The country's personality takes its strongest form beyond the capital of Dublin, in a largely rural hinterland scattered with towns and villages, and hemmed by rugged coastlines and low, rolling ranges of hills.

Dublin today can provide one of Europe's excited destinations for TWU students. Although comfortable, friendly, and full of fun, Ireland is unlikely to appeal to students as a cultural and complete destination. Bucking the country's slower-pace trend when necessary, the capital does provide a completely modern infrastructure and comfort for international students.