Arcadia Ireland

At the beginning of this semester we sent everyone on their homestay weekend. The official name for this activity is An Cúairt ar Phobal meaning Visit to the Community. All students are invited to participate in this co-curricular activity which falls under the Local Ireland theme. Students have an opportunity to spend two nights with an Irish family away from their programme locations. As the title suggests there is an opportunity for students to learn about and experience the importance of community in Ireland. 

This semester we had students in Carrigaline and Cobh in Co. Cork, Gorey in Co. Wexford and Trim Co. Meath. This activity not only allows students to feel a part of an Irish family but allows for opportunity to engage in a range of host community exploration tasks and reflect on the weekend with a Co-Curricular Learning Certificate (CLC).

Students are often unsure of what to expect on the An Cúairt ar Phobal weekend. There may be expectations of the "typical Irish family" and there may be stereotypical images of potatoes and thatched cottages. Once students experience the weekend though they are often surprised at how modern Ireland really is. Irish stew may not be served once over the weekend and family life will continue as normal. For those two days, students are encouraged to see themselves as part of the family and that part of the fun is not knowing what to expect and being okay with that. We always like to remind everyone that the homestay weekend is like a bridge requiring a little effort from students and their host families. When we read the goals of study abroad written by many, we see "Stepping out my comfort zone" as one of the biggest reasons to be in a new country. Where better to take that first step than in a Visit to the Community.  

This year as a way of capturing those special moments during the weekend, we invited all students to submit their best photos of the homestay and the response was overwhelmingly positive. As a way of rewarding all the efforts we have run a competition for the best submission and the winner will be announced shortly. 

All in all, An Cúarit ar Phobal is a fantastic and truly authentic experience. It is really the only opportunity students have to interact with Irish people besides theirs college peers, to get a real sense of rural Ireland, its people, its customs and its simplicity. An Cúairt ar Phobal weekend is not so much about doing a lot of activity; it’s more about experiencing something. This experience can be as simple as sitting in front of the fire, drinking tea and chatting.