Technical hitch with my JAA PPL! Any advice?

[ACARS]

Okay, so I'm reading a back issue of Flyer mag. In it, there's a guy talking about completing a JAA PPL in the states and the trouble one can find when arriving back in Europe. One thought crossed my mind reading his article.

Here's the facts. I'm english. I live in Ireland. I have a student PPL through the IAA, have passed class 2 medical and have total 12hrs in a C172. I intend on going to Florida in summer to complete a 21day JAA PPL course. When I come back to Ireland, will the IAA give me a valid JAA PPL? My understanding from the article I read was that only a select few countries give you a valid PPL, UK being one.
Should I apply for a CAA student license? Is the states a no go? Is this worry over nothing?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

[This message has been edited by ACARS (edited 28 January 2001).]