Ireland is a country that has been standing out on the world stage as one of the best destinations for an exchange program. Among the main reasons is the quality of life and education in the country, besides being one of the few destinations that offer the study and work program with one of the best cost-benefits.

The country is full of stories, their traditions carry mythology and folklore. Did you know that the fable of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow comes from there? It tells that leprechauns, little folklore creatures that look like elves, gather their gold coins in a pot and when the sun shines on these coins, the light reflects in a rainbow.

There are so many other tales and traditions that make the country overflow with culture, which is why we can say that at the end of every rainbow, you actually find Ireland. There are many celebrations throughout the year, one of them is St. Patrick’s Day, one of Ireland’s most famous festivals, honoring Saint Patrick, the country’s patron saint. Another one is the Samhain festival, a Celtic origin celebration that takes place on October 31st, the roots of what we know today as Halloween. 

More than just influencing festivities, the Celtic people also left behind one of their languages, the Irish Gaelic, which is still spoken by some people in the region. Despite the importance of their ancestors to current culture, the polytheistic beliefs of the Celts were 

abandoned after a process of catechization where the country became predominantly Catholic. Religion is a significant factor when talking about Ireland, because it was one of the major reasons for Ireland’s division.

Northern Ireland, unlike its neighbor, is predominantly Protestant. These differences in religion, politics, and economics led both Irelands into a separatist conflict, which sparked tragic conflicts in history. An example of this was “Bloody Sunday,” which inspired the song “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by the Irish band U2. Today, the Republic of Ireland is an independent nation that’s part of the European Union, while Northern Ireland belongs to the United Kingdom.

“The Emerald Isle” is one of Ireland’s nicknames, given because of its natural beauty and lush green shades. Over there, you can explore incredible landscapes, ranging from cliffs to castles and lakes that seem straight out of a movie.

The Irish people are very receptive and joyful. They love to sing, dance, and chat with people from other countries, making it one of the best reasons to be sure that this is the country for you.