The closing date for The EIL Travel Awards 2008 was March 26th. No further applications are being accepted. Please check on this web site to find information on future travel awards - various opportunities arise from time to time. For example opportunities later in the year include The Ireland/Hong Kong Exchange in August/September and The Euro Camp in Germany in July.
We have received the highest number of entries in 16 years for the 2008 Awards. Over the next two weeks each of the entries will be reviewed by an adjudication panel. For each of the 7 awards a short list of 5 people will be invited for a selection interview to take place in Dublin on Saturday April 19th. Short listed candidates will be notified approximately one week in advance and the names of the winners will be released in early May. This update was posted on 27 March 2008.
EXPLORE THE WORLD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Are you interested in what is going on in the world? Would you like to learn about different cultures? Would you like to make a difference? If your answer is "Yes" to these questions then you are invited to apply for an EIL Intercultural Learning Travel Award. With 27 full or partial travel awards available, being selected could be a lot easier than you think.
Applications are welcome from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Funding for these awards comes from The Trust for Education in International Living, which was established by EIL in 1993.
Visit the land of the Rising Sun… This exciting six week programme, jointly funded by the Japan-Ireland Friendship Link is based in the beautiful region of Suwa which is located in the Japanese Alps about two hours to the south of Tokyo.
- Return flights from Ireland to Japan
- Full board and accommodation with Japanese families
- Visit to Tokyo
- Visits to local schools to introduce Ireland Introduction to Japanese sports
- Japanese language classes
- Insurance cover
Age Profile: 16-18 on 1st June 2008
Dates: End of June 2008 for 6 weeks
How to Apply: Click Here for information
Four weeks 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.
- Return flights from Ireland to Ecuador, plus insurance
- Homestay with local family in Riobamba
- 4 Day Amazon Jungle Visit
- Spanish language classes
- 2 days Chimborazo mountain trekking and horseback riding
- Join a group of American teenagers and their leader
- 1 day excursion to Baños
Age Profile: 16-18 on 1st June 2008
Dates: July 2008
How to Apply: Click Here for information
This travel Award allows the recipient to debate with and get to know the young people from this maligned New England State with a population of just 600,000 people. The Vermont Governor's Institute on Current Issues and Youth Activism examines current issues, policies and political questions, which impact on young people.
- Return flights/transfers from Ireland to Vermont (via Boston), plus insurance
- 12 nights accommodation and all meals at The School for international Training in Brattleboro, Vermont.
- Group discussions, seminars with Vermont politicians, policy makers, and activists, leadership skills workshops, debates, simulations, arts, sports, local field trips and evening cultural activities such as a barn dance and African dance workshop. Participate in July 4th parade in Brattleboro.
Age Profile: 16-18 on 1st June 2008
Dates: July 2008
How to Apply: Click Here for information
Oaxaca has 53% of the entire indigenous population in Mexico
and half of its population live close to the poverty line and a third of them
still speak a native language.
The Isla Del Viejo Soyaltepec is made up of 300 indigenous families who have established eco-tourism projects to fight poverty and generate income. Volunteer tasks could include teaching English or computer and general administration skills, maintaining the guest cabins, promotion of the community owned restaurant, marketing of crafts made by local women or maintenance of the nature trails on the island.
- Return flights from Ireland to Mexico, insurance, orientation programme and overnight in Mexico City
- Transfer to Oaxaca city for 2 weeks/30 hours Spanish language classes, cultural activities and homestay with local family
- Accommodation and meals during volunteer project
- Volunteer place in a local community project for 6 weeks
- Local mentor and support
Age Profile: Over 18 on 1st June 2008
Dates: Summer 2008 for 8 weeks
How to Apply: Click
Here for information
Santa Fe, like many Argentinean cities, is a place of social contrasts and contradictions. Over 20% of the population live in extreme poverty and the poorer children often survive on the one meal per day they receive at school (at least those who attend school). The local government devotes 8 Argentinean pesos a month (less than 2 Euros) to provide for each child's feeding needs - less than 30 cents a day.
The San Francisco School caters for the poorest children of Santa Fe. As well as providing for the educational needs of the children the school does what it can to take care of their other needs and to support and encourage the parents to allow the children to continue in school for as long as possible.
- Return flights from Ireland to Buenos Aires, transfers in Argentina and health and accident insurance
- 2 week stay in Buenos Aires with 30 hours of one-to-one Spanish classes
- 10 weeks volunteer placement in Santa Fe helping to teach the children English and organise activities and events
- Includes full board and accommodation with a local family
- Local mentor and support
Age Profile: Over 18 on 1st June 2008
Dates: June 2008 for 12 weeks
How to Apply: Click
Here for information
