The structure in the Irish home varies greatly. In my host family, the mother is Irish (from Clare) and the father is English. Both parents work and help run the household. They have two children: my counterpart, Aisling, and her sister, Aoife. Her sister studies in university in Dublin, but is back home for the summer. They speak English exclusively, but the family knows French as well. The food is similar to that in the States, but they have dinner every night together. They also sometimes have breakfast together. The dynamic is also different because teenagers cannot drive, so they have to rely on their parents or take the bus to far-off places. Aisling likes to play music, and is always singing. The dad really likes to watch the World Cup. He is always offering hilarious insights into Irish culture from an outside view as an Englishman. For example, Irish people are really awful at being on time. My favorite thing my host dad said is: "You don't come to Ireland for the weather. You come for the people".
