Our BEd and MSc graduate Shane Donnelly was a member of the Washington Ireland Program class of 2025. His passion for education led him to undertake research the role of Artificial Intelligence in schools while in DC.
Shane shares with us why you should apply for the Washington Ireland Program Emerging Leaders program 2027 ahead of the closing date on 22 November.

1. Tell us about your host family

I couldn’t have asked for a better host family experience than my time in the McCarthy household. From the moment I arrived, John and Helene welcomed me with open arms and made me feel right at home. Whether it was enjoying lovely dinners together, heading out on trips to Annapolis or simply sharing stories and learning about each other’s lives and experiences, there was never a dull moment! And of course, I can’t forget the star of the McCarthy household, Corkie the dog, who could always bring a smile to your face after a long day in the DC heat. I could never have imagined just how much a host family could come to mean to me in such a short space of time. I’ll always be grateful for the warmth, kindness and generosity they showed me throughout the summer.

2. What is a memory you would love to relive?

It’s nearly impossible to pick just one memory because I genuinely loved every second of the summer! However, one moment that really stands out is getting the opportunity to teach Gaelic football to the young people at Life Pieces to Masterpieces. Being able to share a little piece of Irish culture through sport was incredibly special. Seeing everyone getting involved, giving it a go and enjoying themselves reminded me of the power of sport to bring people together, regardless of background. It was one of those moments where two very different worlds came together, and one I’ll always look back on with a smile.

3. Who did you learn from most?

While hearing from so many inspiring speakers was incredible, I think I learnt the most from my fellow WIP classmates. Being surrounded by people with different backgrounds, perspectives and ways of thinking challenged me to look at the world differently. I didn’t always agree with everyone’s views, but that was part of the beauty of it. I learnt that you don’t have to agree with someone to learn from them. In particular, my brother from the summer, Noah, taught me about the science behind telescopes and how we discover new stars. It was a fascinating reminder of just how small we are in this enormous universe, yet how much of a difference each of us can still make.

4. What are your final words of encouragement to someone who isn’t sure about applying?

APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! I would encourage absolutely everyone to back themselves and submit an application. Believe me, I had all those “maybe this isn’t for me” thoughts before I applied too. But the reality is, you’ll never know unless you give it a go! WIP has the potential to be the beginning of an incredible leadership journey, filled with new friendships, perspectives and opportunities you never imagined. I think this is particularly important for those of us in education. We don’t just want to facilitate learning; we want to help shape the future of learning. So take the chance, put yourself out there and see where it takes you. You won’t regret it!

Find out more and apply for the WIP Emerging Leaders Program 2027 before applications close on Sunday 22 November visit their website.