EIL Intercultural Learning

Hello again! Well I am back in Ireland now! I think the last blog entry I wrote didn't appear at all, but it was just a little piece on my thoughts on leaving La Ventanilla for Ireland, and how I was feeling.

Chilecito is a small city with a main plaza. This plaza is where I hang out, drink coffee and meet with my friends. The plaza is only a 5 minute walk from my host house so I am in walking distance  from the banks, shops and post office. The landscape is extremely dry here, with the only water supply coming from the Famatina Mountains. I feel very lucky to have been granted the individual travel award to volunteer in this beautiful place.

57 days ago I arrived in Mexico with no clue of what I was to expect. Some people in Ireland got me very nervous when I told them I was coming to Mexico. There were mixed reactions from my friends ranging from "omg!! a girl alone in Mexico City?? you better be careful its a very dangerous City", " Stay away from the Volkswagen taxis" blah blah Some were like " wow Mexico City is amazing you will have a great time" I liked that comment as it made me relax a little.

Just got back from Visiting Jamie in Barra de Potosi. The place is very nice but very small. Jamie works in a small lovely library for kids. The kids were such a charm they were always happy, playful and most all very respectful. On arrival they had us working up a sweat as they were preparing for a presentation and had to get allot done. I was glad to be there and to able to do the little I could. Laura was amazing coordinating all the work and Jamie, Cecilia Fernanda all the volunteers and I got to do our bit.

Well I have two weeks left and I feel like Ive literally just settled in!! Haha I haven't taken to the food here but I have fallen in love with the people! I am living in a nice area in Dehra Dun where the people are so welcoming and so inviting. I need a diary to plan the amount of dinners and eventsI have been invited to!! Its amazing. Indians have a fantastic sense of hospitality. It's a very inviting and friendly culture.

My name is Aisling Heeran and I am a student from Leitrim.  This summer I decided to do some volunteer work in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam for 6 weeks and I can definitely say that I’m delighted that I made the decision.  Before departing I was all excited, eager to explore the unknown and discover new traditions and a new way of life but when I arrived the first thing I discovered was that I wasn’t as brave as I thought I was!!  I spent 2 sleepless nights wondering what I was doing in this warm humid country, thousands of miles away from home.  I felt very alone a