EIL Intercultural Learning
EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish not-for-profit educational charity, founded 1932 and operating as AFS Ireland, that delivers study abroad, scholarships, youth leadership, language training, and the Global Competence Certificate for students, host families, educators, and volunteers in Ireland and abroad.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1932
- HeadquartersCork, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What EIL Intercultural Learning does
EIL Intercultural Learning (legally The Experiment in International Living) is an Irish not-for-profit educational charity founded in 1932 and headquartered in Cork, Ireland (also registered as a company limited by guarantee in Dublin; Company No. 136044, Charity Reg. No 20107390). The organization delivers intercultural learning opportunities including study abroad, youth leadership, language training, cultural immersion groups, and a flagship fully-funded Explore Scholarships programme, serving over 1,800 people each year in Ireland and abroad. Since 2018, EIL has operated as AFS Ireland, the 61st national member of the AFS Intercultural Programs global network spanning over 60 countries, and is also a member of Federation EIL.
EIL's core product set comprises the EIL Explore Scholarships/Travel Awards, term or year-long Study Abroad exchanges with host families, Cultural Groups, Global Citizenship education, Youth Leadership programmes, and Language Training (including Spanish classes at partner institutions such as Instituto Cultural Oaxaca). In May 2026, EIL added the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), a digital education programme developed with AFS and delivered in partnership with Post-Primary Languages Ireland to post-primary educators. There is no proprietary technology platform; GCC is delivered via the globalup.com infrastructure. The organization has no app, no public API, and operates primarily human-delivered programs supplemented by this single digital product.
Revenue is generated through program fees for exchange services plus donations and fundraising activities typical of a registered Irish charity, with scholarships offered fully funded. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: scholarship programmes, volunteer networks, and local coordinators drive recruitment across Ireland, while distribution leverages the AFS global network for outbound and inbound placement. The organization employs 11–50 staff, led by CEO Aideen O'Leary (appointed January 2024), and maintains a Volunteer & Communications Manager function. EIL has not received disclosed venture funding and operates without traditional equity ownership, governed by a Board of Directors.
EIL Intercultural Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EIL Intercultural Learning
- Legal name
- The Experiment in International Living
- Website
- https://eilireland.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1932
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish not-for-profit educational charity, founded 1932 and operating as AFS Ireland, that delivers study abroad, scholarships, youth leadership, language training, and the Global Competence Certificate for students, host families, educators, and volunteers in Ireland and abroad.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EIL Intercultural Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intercultural Education and Exchange Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- University/School Admissions Outsourcing & Enrollment Management (EOM) (EDAIACAC)
Keywords
Where EIL Intercultural Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cork
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
EIL Intercultural Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Educational Exchange Programs: EIL operates as a not-for-profit organization providing intercultural learning opportunities including study abroad, youth leadership, language training, and cultural immersion programs. Revenue is generated through program fees for exchange services.
- Donations and Fundraising: As a registered charity (Charity Reg. No 20107390), EIL conducts fundraising campaigns to support program delivery and carbon offsetting initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Explore Scholarship Programme - Fully funded overseas learning opportunities |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
EIL Intercultural Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS) is an Irish not-for-profit educational organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad programmes, youth leadership development, language training, travel awards, scholarships, group educational trips, and cultural immersion experiences. It also delivers the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), a digital education programme developed with AFS Intercultural Programs for educators, students, and professionals.
Product overview
EIL Intercultural Learning offers a portfolio of intercultural learning programmes and exchange opportunities. The core offerings include: the EIL Explore Scholarships programme (flagship fully-funded overseas volunteering and study abroad scholarships), Study Abroad programmes (term/year exchange with host families), Cultural Groups (group educational trips), Global Citizenship education, and the Global Competence Certificate (a digital programme developed with AFS). The organization also operates AFS Ireland as part of the global AFS network. Services are provided primarily in-person through travel abroad programmes, with the GCC available as a digital learning product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- EIL Explore Scholarships/Travel Awards
Quantifiable outcome
- 43 educators successfully completed Global Competence Certificate training
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use EIL Intercultural Learning
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EIL Intercultural Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
EIL Intercultural Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AFS Intercultural ProgramscorePartnership in delivering the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), an innovative digital education programme developed by AFS Intercultural Programs that equips educators, students, and professionals with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
- Post-Primary Languages IrelandcoreOngoing partnership with Post-Primary Languages Ireland for delivering Global Competence Certificate training to educators across Ireland.
- AFS Intercultural ProgramscoreEIL Ireland became the 61st national member of The AFS Intercultural Programs global network. AFS is a worldwide intercultural network organization that provides learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
- Federation EILcoreEIL is a member of Federation EIL, an international federation of Experiment in International Living organizations. The Federation supports and coordinates member organizations in delivering intercultural learning programs globally.
- globalup.comminorGlobal Competence Certificate information and facilitator opportunities are available through www.globalup.com, the platform for GCC program details.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EIL Intercultural Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- EF Education First: Global for-profit education company offering language travel, study abroad, and cultural exchange at far larger scale. Overlaps with EIL's study abroad and language training offerings but as part of a much broader commercial portfolio.
- AFS Intercultural Programs: Global umbrella organization of which EIL is the 61st national member. Operates the same intercultural exchange and global citizenship programs across 60+ countries; directly comparable product portfolio and target audience.
Direct peers
- World Learning: US-based non-profit that operates the legacy Experiment in International Living program, the historical sister organization to EIL Ireland. Directly comparable mission, exchange programs, and global-citizenship curriculum.
- Youth For Understanding (YFU): Long-standing international student exchange non-profit offering high-school study abroad and scholarship programs in 60+ countries. Closest peer to EIL's flagship Explore Scholarship and Study Abroad products.
- Rotary Youth Exchange: Service-organization-run international youth exchange program spanning 100+ countries. Competes for the same host families, scholarship applicants, and high-school outbound students.
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): US-based non-profit running high-school study abroad, exchange, and intercultural programs. Direct competitor in international student exchange with overlapping host-family model and scholarship offerings.
- Aspect (Boston Group): Provider of language training, study abroad, and intercultural programs for students and educators. Comparable product set spanning language learning, teacher training, and global-citizenship education.
- Nacel Educational Travel: International student exchange organization offering high-school study abroad and language immersion programs. Directly comparable core product set and host-family placement model.
Regional players
- Fulbright Ireland: US-Ireland educational exchange program offering scholarships for Irish students and academics. Operates in the same Ireland-based exchange ecosystem with overlapping outbound student audience.
Others
- Federation EIL: International federation of Experiment in International Living organizations that coordinates and supports EIL member organizations worldwide. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor, but shapes EIL's program standards and reach.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EIL Intercultural Learning social profiles
Digital presenceEIL Intercultural Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EIL Intercultural Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
EIL Intercultural Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EIL Intercultural Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EIL Intercultural Learning
What does EIL Intercultural Learning do?
EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS) is an Irish not-for-profit educational organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad programmes, youth leadership development, language training, travel awards, scholarships, group educational trips, and cultural immersion experiences. It also delivers the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), a digital education programme developed with AFS Intercultural Programs for educators, students, and professionals.
Is EIL Intercultural Learning a public or private company?
EIL Intercultural Learning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was EIL Intercultural Learning founded?
EIL Intercultural Learning was founded in 1932. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EIL Intercultural Learning based?
EIL Intercultural Learning is headquartered in Cork, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does EIL Intercultural Learning make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Educational Exchange Programs are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising.
Who are EIL Intercultural Learning's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are EF Education First and AFS Intercultural Programs. Direct peers are World Learning, Youth For Understanding (YFU), Rotary Youth Exchange, CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), Aspect (Boston Group) and Nacel Educational Travel. Fulbright Ireland is listed as a regional player. Federation EIL is listed as an others.
Does EIL Intercultural Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for EIL Intercultural Learning.
What industry is EIL Intercultural Learning in?
EIL Intercultural Learning's product category is Intercultural Education and Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIACAC, University/School Admissions Outsourcing & Enrollment Management (EOM). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.