News from EIL Intercultural Learning

Volunteer Abroad Cork info day - Wednesday Feb. 15th

Location: UCC student centre, 2nd floor, An Sceilig room.

Time: 15 February 2012 - 3:00pm - 6:30pm

Come to meet with our staff and past volunteers to discuss your plans for volunteering abroad.

Volunteer Abroad Dublin info day - Tuesday Feb. 14th

Location: Irish Aid Centre 27-31 Upper O'Connell St

Time: 14 February 2012 - 3:00pm - 6:30pm

Come to meet with our staff and past volunteers to discuss your plans to volunteer Abroad.

Meine Erste Woche in Deutschland!

Wow what a week!!! I can't believe I'm saying this but at last I am in Germany und Ich liebe Deutschland. I can hardly believe that one week has already passed. It has gone by so quickly and I have loved every minute. On Tuesday 24th January I flew into Frankfurt where I was met by two lovely gentlemen called Herman and Martin who worked for experiment ev. We then had to wait on a girl from brazil called Melanie who actually turned out to be sharing my room when we got to the seminar in Weisbaden.

I finally felt like an insider

"I finally felt like an insider during my stay. I was in a home with a family and I enjoyed the feeling of security that comes with being with a family. I also learned about Irish culture by talking to the family and their friends and neighbours. They clued you in on the ins and outs of life here and it was refreshing. I also felt better knowing I could ask as many questions about life here and know I wouldn't be judged or viewed as an annoying visitor but as a friend."

A deeper understanding of Irish Community

"I gained a deeper understanding of Irish community My host mom and I would sit around the dinner table after we ate and talk about her children's education, taxes, their financial situation, love and marriage, grocery shopping and many more random subjects as they came up. Also, I picked up on a lot more Irish sayings from my family, which is awesomely helpful for meeting more Irish people and actually understanding what they mean."

Understanding Northern Ireland

"I really don't think you can understand the complexity of the situation, past & present, in Northern Ireland until you come and talk to people on all sides & perspectives. This trip has really helped me to see the conflict more from a perspective of what it must have been like to experience it instead of seeing it more abstractly as a series of political interactions."

Every talk, lecture and tour was fantastic

"Every talk, lecture and tour was fantastic! Each lecturer brought a different aspect and perspective to the discussion on conflict in Northern Ireland. In particular I loved the tour of Stormont - meeting the politicians was a unique and memorable experience."

Just before I go!!

Only one more day left and then I will be starting my adventures in Germany!! :D Im so excited, I cant wait! I have all my bags packed and Im ready to go. I still cant believe that I was lucky enough to recieve this scholarship from EIL. Its the trip of a lifetime and Im delighted that EIL have given me this opportunity and for that I would like to sincerely thank them. Zwei Monaten in Deutschland. Klasse!!

Aine and Ciara on Newstalk

Well done to Aine Carroll, Ciara O'Meara and James O'Connor of Open Heart House who were interviewed on Newstalk's "Global Village" about the work of the EIL Global Awareness Programme and of Open Heart House in Dublin. A really great listen... provides some fantastic information and perspective. Brilliant job guys! You can listen in here, the interview is at the start of Part 2.

EIL Network Weekend

Location: Dublin

Time: 21 April 2012 - 11:00am - 22 April 2012 - 2:30pm

Twice a year (in April and November) EIL Network members and staff meet for practical and informative workshops, debates and activities on global issues and lots of fun at the network weekends. The next Network weekend will take place in Dublin on the 21st and 22nd of April.