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Margarita, 26, Spanish, General English, Intermediate

"I really love the Irish people, they are funny and enjoy life"

"I really love the Irish people, they are funny and enjoy life. GCI also has a great atmosphere. The school offers you many things to do and different activities so you can really experience living and learning in Ireland. I have been here for four months and I see my level has improved so much - when I arrived I couldn't say anything! Galway city and county is a beautiful place. I loved walking along the prom, and walking near the sea. The river and the sea views are wonderful. When you are here, try to be open minded. Try to speak in English, meet people from different countries and cultures. Try to avoid staying with people of you same country, this is one of the best things about GCI - there are people from so many different countries here."

Kyung Rok Park, 24, Korean, Cambridge FCE + CAE, IELTS preparation

"I'm planning on going to university in Ireland now, which is really exciting!"

""I chose GCI as I knew a friend was coming here and it looked good to me. I said the school to my agent and he really recommended it to me, so I chose it. I found the system of teaching here totally different, and I had to get used to it at first, but the Director of Studies and Student Counsellor were really friendly to me and helped me adjust. Sometimes I felt homesick and found focussing on my studies difficult, but the staff were fantastic - I always had someone to talk to. Galway is a little like my hometown, as it is beside the sea - I live near Pusan. Galway is so clean though - it looks like a movie set; really beautiful. The really important thing to do when you come here is to speak to people from other countries, and to the locals! This is what will really help your speaking English. I did examination courses and achieved a lot - I started in pre-intermediate and now I just received my IELTS results: 6.0! I'm so pleased - it was tough but I have really improved. I'm planning on going to University in Ireland now, which is really exciting for me."

Yen Nien Chen ("Amber"), 25, Taiwanese, Study Abroad Year / Cambridge & IELTS Preparation, Upper Intermediate

"I feel comfortable asking the teacher questions"

"I chose the school because the location is really good - near the city but also beside the beach. Also, because there are only a few Taiwanese, I knew I could learn English really quickly. The best thing about GCI is that I can meet many students from many different countries and I can get to know about their culture. Also, because there are not too many students in the class I feel comfortable asking the teacher questions - they are all so friendly! My English has improved a lot since I came - I started at pre-intermediate, and now I’m upper intermediate and studying for the FCE. There are loads of things to do in my free time too - two weeks ago I rented a car and went around Ireland with some of my school friends. It was so much fun!"

Valentina, 24, Italian, Professional Skills Suite, 4 weeks, Advanced

"My advice? While you are in Galway, be open with your new "little family""

"I found the school through an agency, who recommended GCI to me because she had been here before. I have a degree in Tourism Management so my agent said the Professional Skills Suite Tourism and travel course was perfect for me. I found the course great because the knowledge was so practical. The best thing about the school for me was the people - both students and staff. The fact that you can get so much support from the office, for going on trips or just general information on Galway, was fantastic. The most beautiful thing for me was the prom beside the school - sunsets in Galway are amazing. Also, because Galway is not too big you can socialize really easily. My advice? While you are in Galway, be open with your new "little family". In this way you can best exploit the experience - improve yourself, not just your English."

Davide, 39, Italian, G30 English Course, Upper Intermediate

"My advice? Speak as much as possible and try to meet Irish people as well"

"It was my second time to study at GCI - I had been here two years ago - and I think this time it was even better. There is a good system of teaching here as the teachers are rotated so it gives you a different point of view. I felt very looked after in the school as the staff helped with arranging everything, like trips to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher. I really want to come back to the school again. My advice? Speak as much as possible and try to meet Irish people as well."

Rutgar, 24, Dutch, G20 English Course, Advanced

"I had so much fun at the Galway Races!"

"I decided to come to Galway because of all the activities on offer - there are so many things to do in the city and surroundings! I thought my lessons were really interactive and it was great to meet so many people from different countries. I loved the old architecture and pretty streets in Galway - it was really atmospheric. Make sure to go on the activities and day trips when you are at GCI - I had so much fun at the Galway Races!"

Dai, 23, Japanese, Academic Year, Upper Intermediate

"I wanted something that was homely so I chose Galway Cultural Institute"

"I wanted to come to a mid-sized school - not too big but with people from all over the world; and not too many Japanese. I wanted something that was homely so I chose GCI. I thought English would be very difficult, but the teachers here are very clear. My English improved really quickly; I started at pre-intermediate level and am now upper intermediate. It was great fun going out to the pub with my new friends and being involved in activities - I played the fiddle at the Kinvara Music Festival. When you come to GCI, don't be shy - talk to people and you will learn really quickly."

Rafael, 24, Swiss German, IELTS Preparation Course

"My advice? Don't come with any preconceptions; arrive and enjoy!"

"The agent I came with recommended GCI to me as a quality school. The things that made me interested in Ireland were the surfing, culture and castles. The best things about GCI are the quality of the teachers and the mix of students, both in age and nationality. I really enjoyed the culture experience of studying in Galway, such as the Arts Festival which was great fun. My advice to students is - Don't come with any preconceptions; arrive and enjoy!"

Tiago, 21, Brazilian, Academic Year, Intermediate

"Classes at GCI are exciting and there is a real connection with the teachers"

"I decided to come to Ireland because it is cheaper than some other locations and it is still near lots of different countries and cultures. I am in the middle of a degree in Accounting and wanted to have a life experience. The teachers and the students at GCI are unbelievably nice. Classes are exciting and there is a real connection with the teachers - this is very nice. When you come to study at GCI balance your life - study and do things outside the school."