Do I need health and travel insurance?
All students should provide their own health and travel insurance to cover medical care and to insure against loss of luggage, fees etc. Students from EU countries should bring their EHIC Health Insurance Card. This is free from all EU citizens and entitles you to free emergency care. Those from non-EEA countries need to purchase emergency insurance cover as a minimum to comply with visa requirements.
If you are undergoing medical treatment, please bring a medical certificate and sufficient medicines to cover your stay in Ireland
What happens on my first day?
Arrivals for students are generally on a Sunday. All students are welcomed to Donegal Language School, shown to their accommodation followed by a short introductory meeting. This meeting will go through the first day and any questions that may arise.
On the first day of school, students take a test covering reading, writing, listening and speaking to ensure that they are placed in a level most suitable to them.
If the students have opted for one of the activity packages, their chosen sport takes place in the afternoon
Student Coordinators are on hand to help and assist all students through their first day.
General School Information
What age of students do you accept
Junior Programmes – 12 – 17 years old* We do accept students under 12 years of age during two separate weeks each summer. Please email us to find out dates
Adult Programmes – 17 years old +
Do I receive a certificate?
Each student receives a certificate on completion of their chosen course.
Are there laundry facilities available?
Junior programme – For students on the junior programmes, the laundry is completed once a week.
Adult programme – For students staying in the residential accommodation or host family, laundry facilities are available.
General Travel Information
Do I need a visa?
If you are from the EEA, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland then you do not need a visa to come to Ireland. For the rest of the world, there are two lists for the purposes of student visas – those who need to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland and those who will validate their visa once in Ireland. To check your visa status go to www.dfa.ie or email us for more information.
What’s the weather like?
Irish weather in general is quite mild. As the weather can be quite variable and unpredictable we advise all students to take warm clothes and an umbrella.
Below is a chart showing average temperatures and rainfall
What do I need to bring?
As much as we love our “green country”. The weather can be quite variable so we advise all students to take the following:
Warm clothes, a towel, waterproof jacket
For the classroom
Notebook & pens
Travelling
Valid passport/ID Card
Baggage: Each airline has individual baggage weight restrictions. Please adhere to and leave room in your bag for presents going home. We have had experiences of students paying up to €100 for excess baggage and don’t wish to see this happening again
For students on the activity packages, we will send you a separate information pack including information on what to bring for your activity holiday.
Mobile phones and internet
Most mobile phone operators have an agreement with Irish networks so please check with your operator before arrival. For students here on a longer stay we recommend that you purchase a sim card or a ready to go phone which is a lot more cost effective.
Internet access and WIFI is available for students to use
Do I need an electrical adaptor?
The electrical voltage in Ireland is 230V, plugs in Ireland have three square pins.
It is advisable to buy adapters before arriving in Dublin, adapters are usually readily available in most airports.
Donegal Language School’s Environment Impact Statement
In todays day and age everything we do has an impact on the environment. We at Donegal Language School have taken the following steps to try and minimise this impact while providing an experience that is contributing to local communities, responsibly marketed and culturally respectful.This is confirmed by the fact that we have received the Greenbox Eco Tourism Certification
Below you will find some of the procedures we have put in place
With our language and activities packages we try to promote a sustainable lifestyle in so far as all activities are within the vicinity of the premises, each have a minimum impact on the environment and are outdoors. The activities include horseriding, surfing, cycling, abseiling, canoeing, walking etc In relation to our language courses all teachers are employed locally and we ensure all photo copying is double sided. In relation to all activities 90% of our guides are local. The maximum number on each course per guide is 15 people. On all cultural excursions the students are also taken to local areas of historical importance and visit local craftspersons
We have a recycling system in place for our students in the kitchen. All food wastage is recycled into compost
We source as much of our food possible locally. All other food purchased is bought in bulk ensuring that we cut down on packaging. If a product has a lot of packaging we reconsider its purchase. We have nearly cut out all printing with our brochure now downloadable from the website cutting down on our paper wastage
The horse riding trails go into some protected areas and our guides ensure that the designated paths are always used and there is a strict leave no trace policy on all our trails
Our guides are well equipped with knowledge on our local wildlife and how to best help maintain the beautiful countryside and wildlife
We are constantly looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint while maximising your stay with us and look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Best wishes
Pat, Leo, Gina and the team.
Company Details
Homefield Language and Equestrian Company Ltd T/A Donegal Language School
Finner,
Bundoran Co Donegal
VAT NO: 6357860W
Company No: 337860
