Ambassador's School Outreach Program

About the Program

What is the American Dream?
What do Americans think about Ireland?
How does the American election system work?
When does an American school day start, and when does it end?
What are the school holidays? 
How many of the 50 states in the U.S. have you visited?
What languages do Americans learn at school?
Who is your favorite actor, singer, group?
What sports do most American students play in school?
What are the seasons for the various sports?

These are some of the questions Irish students ask the American speakers at U.S. Embassy school outreach programs. 

These programs provide Irish secondary school students with the opportunity to meet with American exchange students, as well as Embassy officers, to learn more about everyday life in the United States, about the history, geography, literature of the United States.

Visits can be structured to meet curriculum needs but teachers should not expect a formal lecture.  The American speakers present a short overview of a particular subject relating to American society and culture or talk more generally about their lives (their jobs or job goals, the schools and universities they attended, their hometowns) and then open the floor to discussion and questions. In some cases, they may even have some questions of their own!

How to Request a School Visit

The School Outreach Program is now an important part of the Embassy’s cultural program. Speaker requests from interested schools should include:

• desired date (requests should be made well in advance;
  please give alternate dates)
• location
• information about the school (type of school, etc)
• preferred topic(s) and format for discussion

Embassy Speakers Program

Traveling to the United States is the best way to get to know the country.  But there’s a way you can get the flavor of America right here in Dublin.  The U.S. Embassy Speakers Program offers your group the opportunity to hear first-hand from Americans on many different topics.  We want to get American diplomats out of the office and in front of the people who want to hear from them.  We want to demystify the work we do here in Dublin and acquaint you with the Americans who live beside you in Ireland.  Diplomacy is not only sharing policy … it’s sharing experience.  Many of our staff have varied and extensive academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Whether you’re interested in life in America or U.S. foreign policy, the Embassy has someone who can speak on the issue.  We’re looking for a range of audiences:
• Secondary and university student groups
• Community organizations
• Conferences
• Media
• Local governments
• Cultural events
• Religious organizations
• Political clubs 
Among others, topics can include American perspectives on:
• Politics
• History
• Culture (art, food, dance, music, etc.)
• Travel & Tourism
• Business
• Media
• Education
• Sports
• Science
• Law
• Cultural diversity
• Defense and Security
• Religion 

Speakers are available at no charge.  For more information, please contact the American Embassy Public Affairs Office @ (01) 668 8777 ext.  2105