Each year the Society is contacted by fellow coeliacs abroad, who are seeking families to either host students during the holidays or for children to do exchanges. The children can benefit from learning new cultures, languages and travelling – all with the peace of mind of being in a household familiar with the gluten-free diet.

If you are interested in getting involved in an exchange or hosting a Coeliac child please contact the office for information on how to contact the families below directly:

Spanish Exchange

From the capita of Euskadi region, Vitoria-Gasteiz, recently named the European Green capital of 2012,comes Zurine (18 years old in May) who is looking for an exchange for 2/4 weeks around July to learn English. In exchange, Zurine’s family in Spain would welcome an Irish coeliac girl into their home.

German Exchange

Ellen (age 12) is from Germany and would like to spend her summer holidays in August 2011 in Ireland with a host family. She is a coeliac and is therefore looking for a family in Ireland with a girl of her age and with coeliac experience. In exchange her family in Germany would welcome an Irish coeliac girl into their home.

The family live in a suburb south of Munich. Ellen has a sister, Anne, aged 9 (who is also coeliac) and a cat.

Ellen loves reading, horse-riding, she plays violin, and has travelled around Europe. Her father, Jörg, is a counsellor to the Prime Minister of Bavaria. Her mother Katrin is a housewife.

Longford Exchange

The Language Centre in Longford is looking to accommodate a 15 year old French girl who wants to come and stay with an Irish family with a coeliac daughter.
This could lead to a great friendship and a possible exchange.

The school will also provide weekly payments. If you are interested you can contact the centre emailing Josephine Clarke.

Waterford Exchange

The Waterford English Language School is also seeking a suitable host family for a young student from Spain who is coeliac. His parents feel that as it will be his first visit abroad it would be easier for him if we could find him a suitable host family whose child would have similar dietary needs.

The school is based in Waterford so any interested family would need to live in the area of Waterford. If you are interested, please contact Bridget Behal.