EIL Intercultural Learning

Let me introduce myself... I’m Laura, 17 years of age, living in Fermoy but going to school in Coláiste An Phiarsaigh. I’m one of the twelve lucky young people who’ll be representing Ireland in a Youth Exchange to Hong Kong come the 10th of August. The beginning of my journey to Hong Kong began where all great things do... On Facebook!

....I don't even know anything about Star Wars....just go with me on the movie title theme!

So friends it appears I spoke to soon in my last blog about my good health. I have written a poem to explain exactly what happened since I last rambled. Here you go (the space is funny on this, there are suppose to be no spaces only every 6 lines)

                  -1-

Once I had got to the volunteer hostel in Cape Town I met lots of other volunteers,and ofcourse the generic volunteer conversation was had, this little almost interview like chat is generally to break the ice and to find out the core details. It goes along the lines of your name, where your from, how long you are here from and then; what project you are working on. Generally, I managed to get by the first 3 parts with no problems, I can say that most of the time, I succesfully managed to tell people my name, nationality and length of stay with absolutely no problems!

I'm in the third week on the global awareness programme in Nigeria,Where to start? The area we are in and the country as a whole is like a cultural oasis. So many things like the food (incredibly spicy and eaten without cutlery), the customs (using your left hand for many things is rude), the transport (the main way of getting around is by motorcycle taxi and helmets are non-existent) and the conditions (electricity goes several times a day) are unlike anything we are used to.