The Irish Way will celebrate its 31st year of operation in 2006. It is a unique cultural experience for teenagers and a nationally recognized summer study abroad program that has educated over 3,000 American high school students since 1975. Under the auspices of the Irish American Cultural Institute, the program sends approximately 100 American high school students on the five-week program.  The five-week program is divided into three parts:

Irish Education-sessions include Gaelic language, Irish literature, history, drama and workshops in Celtic art, music, folk dancing & traditional Irish sports. All sessions are taught by certified high school level teachers.

Home Stay-For one week in the middle of the program, each student is "adopted" by an Irish family and incorporated into the family's daily routine.

Touring-The final days are spent touring the west coast of Ireland.

The CDCCA will award a scholarship to one Capital District high school student to attend the Irish Way Program in 2006. Applications are available on-line at
www.iaci-usa.org/pdf/Irishwayapp.pdf or by contacting info@cdcca.org . Application deadline is approximately March 13th, 2006. Review will begin immediately thereafter. Selection will be based on transcripts, teacher recommendations, counselor recommendations, and demonstrated interest and involvement in Irish culture.