EIL Intercultural Learning

We now know that the first EIL activity in Ireland was on July 1st 1964 when 10 American students and a group leader landed at Shannon Airport to commence an 8 week adventure in Ireland. John McNichols who was the leader of that group spent the last few weeks in Ireland and we had the privilege to spend some time with him and to hear his stories. He says that in 1964 the group were known wherever they visited in Ireland as they had made two appearances on RTE TV. Of course this was in the days of black and white TV in a country with just one channel. How things have changed.

Imagine the excitement of telling somebody who has never been on an aeroplane that their first flight will be to Japan, Ecuador or Mexico.  Thanks to the EIL Travel Awards I have been able to do this a few times.

With over 2,000 people traveling on EIL programmes across 24 countries every year the safety and welfare of our participants is always top of my mind.

I can think of no better way to start my blog as Director of EIL than by paying a warm tribute to Paul Conway who completed his six year term as Chair of the Board of EIL Intercultural Learning on January 31st. Paul is a remarkable man who has given huge service to EIL over many years as an unpaid volunteer, leader, mentor and visionary.