Six travel scholarships offering the winners a chance to immerse themselves in another culture and lifestyle are being offered by Experiment in International Living (EIL), in conjunction with Education and Living. Countries visited on the scheme include Mexico, Ecuador, Japan, Turkey and India.

EIL is an organisation established between the two World Wars to promote peace and understanding through intercultural learning. It is looking for candidates who can demonstrate a history of community involvement and leadership potential.

"We are looking for people who could fill an ambassadorial role for Ireland," says programme manager Ita Harris, "and who have communication skills to help them interact in a new country."

This year there are scholarships for Ecuador and Japan, and also one for a Spanish teacher to travel to Mexico. These trips will combine a home-stay with local families and cultural activities.

Last year's visitor to Ecuador, Sarah Callagy, stayed with a family in Quito and for a longer period with a family in Riobamba. There she had Spanish lessons and helped out painting dormitories in a nursing home.

She has fond memories of the many activities on the visit including a visit to the Cuyabeno wildlife reserve.

"There were toucans parrots, monkeys, giant blue butterflies, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and we even saw a baby anaconda," she says. "We would hike in the rainforest, and one day visited the village of the Seona tribe and were shown how to use blowpipes that they used to hunt animals."

John Kelly, who went to Japan last year, enjoyed living within a close-knit Japanese family.

"At home the pressures of work are forgotten and the unity of family life is enjoyed. Wandering around in slippers I could chat, read the family's vast collection of manga comics, relax barefoot in the tatami room, watch incredibly strange TV or marvel at the Japanese toilet complete with plug, flashing lights and heated seat!"

This year's scholarship for a Spanish teacher is a new departure and a wonderful opportunity for an all-expenses visit to explore the country's cultural history. The winner will travel to Mexico City and stay with families in Puebla and Oaxaca.

There are also three Discovery/Community Service scholarships to India, Turkey and Mexico, where an Irish participant will join groups of 12 to 15 people aged 16 to 22 from all over the world.

These three scholarships have a travelling and community service component. For instance, in Turkey, volunteers will work on a project on an earthquake recovery project repairing a damaged primary school for homeless children in the earthquake area.

In Mexico the volunteer will work with other young people to clear land in an ecological zone where a children's museum is to be built.

Lyndsey Power, a visitor to Mexico last year found the Mexican people friendly and interested in hearing about her life in Ireland.

"The people I stayed with really made me feel like part of the family and they made such an effort to teach me about their country and their culture."

All the scholarships are fully funded, including return flights, accommodation and many activities while in the country.

"The feedback we've had from previous participants is excellent," says programme manager Ita Harris. "There are culture shocks when they come back, but they have found it to be a very improving experience."

Application forms for the scholarships can be obtained from EIL. Candidates for the Ecuador and Japan scholarships must be aged 16 to 18, while the three Discovery scholarships are for those aged 16 to 22.

Candidates must also submit a 500-word essay about why they would like to be selected for the scholarship and how they think they would benefit from it. They should also get a local community leader (teacher, member of the clergy or youth worker) to write 500 words nominating them or the scheme and why they think you would be a good candidate.

Application forms (to be completed by March 20th) can be obtained from EIL, Educational and Cultural Travel, 1 Empress Place, Summerhill North, Cork. Tel 021-551535.