EIL Intercultural Learning | Enriching lives, inspiring global citizenship

Featured Programme

Travel Award: Secondary School in Germany

In partnership with EIL Germany, EIL Intercultural Learning is offering one student between the ages of 15 and 18 the opportunity to go on a scholarship to Germany during the Academic Year 2010-2011. This will entail living with a carefully selected German host family and attending a local German high school for 5 or 10 months. Placement could be in any region of Germany, but an authentic German experience is guaranteed. Winner will have to act as an ambassador for Ireland and share their Irish culture with classmates and their new friends and family. This needs-based scholarship is open to students who would not normally have the financial means to participate on our Secondary School Abroad programme in Germany.

Teachers are asked to nominate students who they feel would be suitable for the scholarship and the nominated students must complete an application and submit an essay to be considered. Applicants will be shortlisted to 3 students and interviewed in Cork. Final selection will be made by our sister German office as a result of these interview notes.

Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Abroad: India youth volunteer camps

This programme is specifically designed for 18-30 year olds, offering volunteering programmes in two magnificent locations in India, the desert state of Rajasthan or the inspiring Himalayan region. Volunteers live together with other international volunteers and are supported by local staff.

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Travel Award: Ireland-Hong Kong youth exchange

EIL-Intercultural Learning in association with The Hong Kong Commission on Youth offer a Hong Kong Ireland Exchange Programme in August-September 2010. The exchange provides an opportunity for young people in Hong Kong and Ireland to exchange ideas and experiences. During the programme in Hong Kong there will be visits to universities and schools, meetings and activities with local young people, official visits to Government Departments and Agencies, community service activities and sightseeing.

Click here to learn more.

Study Abroad: Secondary School in Spain - Become an exchange student!

For as little at 6 week, up to a full academic year, your child can have a fully immersed experience in Spanish life and culture. Students stay with carefully vetted Spanish host families and attend a local Spanish High School.This programme, perfect for Transition Year students, offers more than just an opportunity to become fluent in Spanish; see your child return with more confidence, independence and maturity.

Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Abroad: Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of a rare beauty with spectacular landscapes, 3,400 km of divine beaches, mountain regions with lush vegetation and charming lakes. Emerging terribly damaged by war only 34 years ago, Vietnam has made a remarkable recovery, yet remains a relatively poor country - with the rural poor and ethnic minorities in particular - not benefiting from this progress. Volunteers can contribute their time and energy to a wide range of projects in Vietnam, while gaining a real understanding of the country and its culture.

Click here to learn more.

Travel Award: Ecuador

Four weeks volunteering for one person in Ecuador - the smallest country in the Andean highlands famous for its array of vibrant indigenous cultures, colonial architecture, volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and friendly people.

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Volunteer Abroad: Turkey

Located at a point where three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe, are closest to each other, Turkey offers a fusion of culture – old and new, east and west, modern and traditional. Volunteers contribute to worthwhile causes, while meeting new people, learning valuable work and life skills and becoming part of Turkish community life.

Click here to learn more.

Study Abroad: Antibes, transition year study on the Cote d'Azur

Antibes is beautifully located on the sunny French Riviera in between Cannes and Nice. This trendy sea-side resort town is small, friendly and safe, with a population of 75,000 in the off season. 300 days of sun a year, Antibes is the perfect location to learn French and enjoy the culture of this stunning French region. This new programme to EIL's portfolio is ideal for Transition Year students who want to study during the school term.

Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Abroad: Brazil

Multicultural Brazil, a vast country of rainforests, shanty towns, football matches and Carnival, is also the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas. Give yourself the chance to feel the pulsating rhythm of the samba, the soft sand of the amazing coastal beaches, and most importantly to work in a community project as a volunteer.. Although Brazil is the ninth richest economy in the world, there is a vast discrepancy between rich and poor. Volunteers can make a difference by working with schools and non-governmental organisations throughout the country.

Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Abroad: Morocco

Just 12 miles from Spain, the Kingdom of Morocco is a meeting of two worlds. A land of spices, deserts, Casbahs and medinas; its culture draws on a unique mix of Berber, Arab, African, French (widely spoken) and Spanish influences. Economically, there is a vast discrepancy between rich and poor. The majority of Moroccans depend on agriculture for a living, and are at the mercy of regular droughts. Other problems include low levels of literacy, a high level of unemployment and desertification. Volunteers have a unique opportunity to work on rewarding projects throughout the country.

Click here to learn more.

News & Events

My Irish Life by Amelie Robrecht

Amelie Robrecht participated in EIL's Secondary School Programme in Ireland in 2009/10 academic year for 26 weeks. She lived in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry with her host family, The Ferriter Family, and attended St. Joseph's (Mercy) Secondary School. Here is an essay she wrote about her experiences here in Ireland:

Travel Award Deadline Fast Approaching

The deadline for submitting your application form for this years Travel Awards is fast approaching. 5pm March 26th. Mark the date in your diary and don't miss out on what could be an experience that might change your life. For more information click here

MDg Lecture Series: “Zambia: Challenges and Opportunities for an Irish Partner Country”

Location: Ui Chadhain Lecture Theatre (2041b), Ground Floor, Arts Building, TCD

Time: 4 March 2010 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Lecture Series. The lectures are open to the public and free to attend.

6 Months in Ireland by Kathrin Schneider

Kathrin Schneider spent from August 2009 to the end of February 2010 in Ireland as a student of EIL and Experiment's Secondary School Programme in Ireland. Kathrin was in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and lived with an Irish host family, the Phelan Family of Lisronagh. Below is a reflection on her experiences here in Ireland:

My life in Ireland

Hun Bin 'Jackson' Lee is a current exchange student on EIL's Secondary School Programme in Ireland. Originally from Korean, Jackson has been living with a host family and going to school in Colaiste Dun Iascaigh in Cahir since August 2009 and will stay to complete the academic year in June 2010. Here are his reflections on his time spent in Ireland:

Mmm...

I am a great believer in alternative medicines. Anyone that knows me, knows my stance on the pharmaceutical industry. I am a nutritional therapy student, who believes in homeopathy, herbal remedies... I could go on. However, the introduction of ARVs has been instrumental in the treatment of HIV & AIDS.

Unfortunately though, not enough people have access to the medications.

Volunteer Fair in UCD

Location: Astra Hall, Student Centre, UCD

Time: 24 February 2010 - 12:00am - 3:00pm

Come to meet with EIL staff and past volunteers at our information stand in UCD.

Did you know...

...that there is a connection between HIV and other STIs/STDs*? That your risk of contracting HIV is higher if you have an STI/STD...

Some STIs e.g. syphilis and herpes can cause irritation, breaks or sores of the skin. These can provide a route for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact.

There is also a risk for transmission even when an STI e.g. chlamydia or gonorrhea causes no breaks or open sores. These infections can stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can make HIV transmission more likely.

Latest news from Aedin in India (Week 4)

I love working in the school, because the children are amazing. Despite all their problems, they are the most beautiful, happy and inspiring people I've ever met in my life. It is difficult at times, but I knew it would be. Every minute with the children makes me appreciate everything I have ever had in my own life. And that's a reward in itself.

Exchange Students in Co. Tipperary have Community Reunion

On Saturday, 24th January, 2010 students of the Clonmel/ Cashel/ Cahir host community had a get-together at their local coordinator's home. Susan Phelan hosted the event so that the international students of the community could gather and socialise with one another. As many of them attend different schools and live in different areas, they do not get the opportunity to mix and meet all that often. Also, Susan wanted to welcome and introduce to the group two new exchange students who arrived in early January.

Take 5 minutes...

An image of a stopwatch counting 5 minutes

...to learn about poverty, racism, HIV&AIDS. Their impact abroad and here in Ireland and what you can do about it!

EIL Travel Awards 2010 will support 31 people to travel to a variety of countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina, USA, South Africa and Nigeria. Some awards have no upper age limit. There are special awards for DEIS Schools and University Access Programmes. Apply now - getting an award may be easier than you think.

EIL around the world

EIL Intercultural Learning's Travel, Volunteer and Learning Experiences around the world in 2008. Over 2,000 participants travelled to/from each of these countries in 2008 on a range of study, volunteer and cultural exchange programmes.