EIL Intercultural Learning

“Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life." The education to which Young refers is not the kind of education which can be taught in a classroom or extracted from the most enlightening textbook. It is this kind of challenging education that the Vermont Governor’s Institute on Current Issues and Youth Activism provides.

As I sit here and look back at my time in Vermont, I realise that I am looking back on two of the best weeks of my life. Undoubtedly it was one of the most rewarding experiences, one which is couched with so many happy memories.

As they say as gaeilge “Tús maith, leath na hoibre” (a good start is half the battle) and we definitely got off to a good start. From the moment we set foot in Dublin airport I had a feeling that this trip would be special ... by the time we arrived in Vermont I of was sure of it. As we travelled from the airport to SIT campus I was completely captivated by the picturesque views that enveloped us. The car trip in itself was an experience as Joe (one of the American staff members) acted not only as our chauffeur but also as our history and geography teacher, quizmaster, DJ and comedian.  Like all of the staff he was a not only an infinite source of knowledge but an exceptional individual and a great friend to all.
Upon our arrival we were met with welcoming smiles from the staff members, that night those smiles broke into laughter as we played taboo. The camp had officially begun.

The next afternoon the American students arrived. The once peaceful and tranquil country campus was transformed into a hive of activity. When I returned to my room I found my room mates, Simone, a Indian girl wearing sandals with a sitar case across her back and Alexis, an extraordinary individual with a book in hand. Little did I know then that in a brief twelve days I would find myself in tears saying goodbye to these girls.
As soon as dinner finished we all proceeded to the main building, there we broke up into groups and a mock congress was held. We discussed and debated some of the most controversial and contemporary political issues and in the end each group was called to pass judgment on the issue. In spite of my jet lag I went to bed filled with a newfound enthusiasm and energy. My appetite for knowledge had been whetted. That night as I lay in bed I wondered how the rest of the week would unfold, how could they possibly surpass that day? Little did I know that the mock congress was a mere precedent for the events that would follow.

The following day I attended my very first “Issue Group” (a base group chosen by each individual) I chose Leadership with Ken Williams. William Arthur Ward once wrote; “The great teacher inspires” – every minute of Ken’s classes were enlightening and inspiring. His energy, passion and charisma were utterly infectious and we not only left Vermont with the fondest of memories but with a deep understanding of the term and concept leadership and an acute self awareness. We discussed everything from leadership styles, to ethics, to birth order and background with regard to leadership potential. He did not tell us what to think but rather instilled in us the ability of how to think, how to analyze leaders and individuals but more importantly how to evaluate and monitor ourselves. Throughout the two weeks I learned so much about leadership, not only through the reading material, film clips and class discussions but also through Ken’s personal experience and example. I can’t ever remember taking a class where I learned more or had so much fun. Williams doesn't advocate a particular position on anything. He tells students to think, to challenge, to remain open-minded, to understand the influences of family, religion and society on themselves and others. During one of our first classes Ken said that "You've been trained to think a teacher makes the class, but you have to think, 'I want the most of this.' It was evident that he was preaching to the choir on this matter, for even though everyone in the room was eighteen or under the enthusiasm, knowledge and ideas of the group was unparalleled.  

Issue Groups only occupied one slot in a very busy time table. Everyday we had a different collection and combination of guest speakers, workshops, wisdom trees and activities.  We participated in a mock Town Council, a mock UN, heard from local activists such as Jeff Unsicker (Nuclear free Vermont), Vermont politicians like Bernie Sanders and national figures including Joan Mandle (the founder of Democracy Matters). We listened to local students who have taken action on child labour, engaged in debate surrounding war, the crisis in Darfur and Zimbabwe, HIV/AIDs, human trafficking, poverty, global children, prison systems, education systems.....we learned how to be effective activists, how to organise fundraisers, information campaigns, how to more efficient communicators and public speakers.....
Everyday I found my skill set expanding and my interest and knowledge in current issues growing. It pleased me to be able to provide an Irish and European perspective on many of the issues and an international outlook was always encouraged and welcomed. In exploring many of the American and International systems I gained a deeper understanding not only of their structures but of our own, for it allowed me to compare ours with others, it provided me with a new clarity and perspective.

Despite the teeming educational time table there was plenty of fun to be had. Everyday there were entertaining activities built into the schedule. We had a 1930’s dance night, a drama night, an African drumming workshop, an unforgettable barn dance, a camp fire, fire works, singing on mountain and so much more. The last night there was a closing banquet followed by an open mic night (the last night I was the MC...I think they asked me for fear that I might perform if not :) The open mic night was open to staff and students and the audience enjoyed everything from a Sitar performance to a Spice Girls reunion.

Another aspect of the course which particularly appealed to me was the Forum theatre. Forum Theatre allowed us to explore activism in a more creative and less orthodox fashion. This included photography, drama, community garden, puppet theatre, music and fabric art. Having never been much of a country girl I decided that I was up for a challenge and volunteered to take part in the community garden. During the course of the camp our group worked in connection with a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm. We built an elaborate herb garden and created signs and other items that would help the farm to be more visitor friendly. Our aim was to help transform a part of the farm into a place where children could come and learn about agriculture and community farms. In the beginning I found it hard but by the end of the twelve days I was so proud of what we had achieved. We had grown so much as a group and our friendships were strengthened through our time spent together at the community garden.

From a colourful garden to a radiant parade, the 4th of July was one of the most incredible days I have ever had. During the morning of the 4th I was afforded the opportunity to read part of the American constitution in the town square in Brattleboro. Imagine the thrill of standing up as an eighteen year old Irish girl and reading the American constitution on their day of Independence just before the biggest parade in Vermont started. Following that we joined the others and began to March through Brattleboro. As we marched we held our demonstration posters high and sang and chanted until we reached the end of the line. There we were met by the president of the Vermont Senate Peter Shumlin and he spent some time speaking with us. Following that we had went to a lake and swam but not before we had picnicked in the park.  After dinner the Irish delegation gave a presentation on Ireland and our nerves soon melted with the sight of our friends donning all their green attire. We spoke of the Irish culture (the sport, the language, and the music), the history of Ireland, the educational and political systems and Northern Ireland. We ended our presentation we a ceili and needless to say it was both entertaining and surreal to see 60 Vermont students luscadh to the Walls of Limerick. The night ended in a most fitting manner with a magnificent fireworks display, an amazing end to an unforgettable day.

To speak with perfect candor I believe that I learned more from the leaders and other participants than I could have ever learned from any politician or text book. Every time I sat down to lunch or dinner or even on the front lawn I learned something new, not always just about burning political issues but about people as well. The sixty two students and all the staff were quite an eclectic (and electric) group of people who were defined by their differences and united by many similarities. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have been able to work with a team of people with such strength of character and clarity of purpose – they really were and continue to be a source of inspiration.

I left Vermont with a host of new friends, knowledge and experience. GIVCIYA (The Vermont Governor’s Institute on Current Issues and Youth Activism) empowered each and every one of the students who attended the course. Every one of us left not only aware of the problems but aware of our ability and obligation to create change, to find and implement the solutions.
It was an incredible two weeks and no words could ever possibly do it justice. This account would double if not triple in length if I were to mention everything that was good about the trip. We were made feel so welcome in Vermont and the kindness which was shown to us could not be surpassed. The quality of the staff not only as academics but also as individuals could not be matched anywhere in the world.  The team of people in Ireland who worked tirelessly to organise the trip cannot be thanked enough (the effort to which Fiona, and Kevin and all the staff at EIL went to was unbelievable). I could not dream of writing about my experience without mentioning Ruth Mannion our group leader- she was so supportive, such fun and invaluable to the experience as a whole. The experience of the two weeks has added a further dimension to my leadership skills and refreshed my enthusiasm. It was an amazing opportunity to meet and work with young people from all over Vermont, to see and hear their stories and learn from them. I would hope that this trip has helped and will continue to help me to make informed choices as a young citizen and furthermore develop the skills needed to translate ideas into action. The foundation of every state and country is the education of its youth. Ideas are great arrows, of which there is no shortage. However every arrow needs a bow; and for five Irish youth leaders every years EIL Ireland provides a bow for those ideals.

Edith Delaney, Carlow.
Vermont Delegation 2009