Student Information Sessions and Workshops

Delivered as a 1.5-hour interactive workshop for up to 30 participants. 
Can also be adapted into a shorter information session for large groups or orientations.

• €600 (ICOS member rate) for up to 30 participants.
• €900 (non-member rate) for up to 30 participants.
• For larger groups, delivery may take place across two sessions, or an adjusted rate may apply. Please contact our trainer officer to discuss options.  

Standard travel and subsistence expenses apply for in-person delivery. The host institution provides the venue, training equipment, and refreshments. 

This interactive session introduces key concepts of intercultural awareness and communication, helping participants understand how culture shapes values, assumptions, and communication styles. It also explores the experience of transition, culture shock, and adjustment that international students may encounter when living or studying in Ireland, and provides strategies for navigating these changes effectively. 

Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own cultural perspectives, explore how different communication styles can lead to misunderstanding, and develop practical tools to build empathy, confidence, and inclusivity in cross-cultural environments.  .

All students, both international and local students, at any stage of their studies. 

Particularly relevant for students new to Ireland, preparing for study abroad, or volunteering in intercultural settings. 

To build intercultural competence, promote inclusion, and strengthen communication and understanding across the college community. 

By the end of the session, participants will: 

• Define key terms related to culture and intercultural communication.
• Understand how cultural values influence perception, behaviour, and interaction.
• Recognise common experiences of culture shock and homesickness, and identify ways to manage these transitions.
• Explore how increased self-awareness improves communication and mutual understanding in diverse settings.
• Identify barriers to effective intercultural communication and how to overcome them.
• Understand the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication across cultures.
• Apply inclusive communication strategies to foster a welcoming and respectful campus environment. 

Delivered as a 90-minute interactive workshop for up to 30 participants. 
Can also be adapted as a shorter 60-minute session for orientation programmes or pre-departure briefings.

• €400 (ICOS member rate)
• €650 (non-member rate) 

Standard travel and subsistence expenses apply for in-person delivery. The host institution provides the venue, training equipment, and refreshments. 

Moving to a new country can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. This interactive session helps students understand and manage culture shock and homesickness during their transition, whether they have just arrived in Ireland or are preparing to study abroad. 

Participants explore the stages of cultural adjustment, recognise how change can affect emotions and behaviour, and learn practical strategies to help them adapt, stay connected, and thrive in a new environment. 

The session provides a supportive space for discussion, where students can share experiences, normalise challenges, and develop confidence in navigating life in another culture. 

• Newly arrived international students beginning their studies in Ireland
• Students preparing to study abroad as part of an exchange or mobility programme 

By the end of the session, participants will: 

• Understand what culture shock is, and how it commonly presents.
• Recognise the stages of cultural adjustment and identify personal signs of transition stress (culture shock).
• Reflect on their own coping styles and sources of support.
• Learn strategies to manage challenges and maintain wellbeing while adapting to a new culture.
• Build peer connections and confidence in engaging with their new environment. 

To help students anticipate and manage cultural transition, promote emotional wellbeing, and strengthen resilience when living or studying in a new place.