EIL Intercultural Learning

To say an experience was life changing would most definitely be an understatement to my experiences this Summer. On the 10th of August I was one of 12 lucky Irish students to travel to the other side of the world, Hong Kong. Without EIL Ireland giving me this opportunity I don’t think I would have ever imagined a trip to Asia before I was 20! Personally, after the long flight from Amsterdam and the collection of the bags from the belt, I was so nervous to meet our Hong Kong delegates. I had no idea what to expect, I actually had butterflies!

Photo by Sarah Brazil

Hi there, my name is Paul. I'm 19, I live in the humdrum parish of Donoughmore and I'm studying Energy Engineering (a course worthy of capital letters methinks) in University College Cork. It is now only a matter of days till the great Oriental odyssey begins and to say that I'm excited would almost be something of an understatement. I have travelled quite a lot for my tender years and, yet, I have never looked forward to a trip as much as this.

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!

Day 1- I boarded our first flight with some trepidation. As a novice flyer I was unsure as to how I would enjoy the experience, but as we soared above Dublin airport I quickly realised that the lack of leg room was of more imminent concern to me than the threat of us careering to a sensational death.

Tuesday, August 11th   

After what felt like the longest flight known to man, we finally arrived in Hong Kong airport where we were met by Charmaine and Damon, two of the Hong Kong delegates.  The moment we left the airport to get to our coach we were hit by what felt like a wall of heat - the temperature and humidity being nothing like we ever have at home - that said this was Hong Kong, and we do live in Ireland!

Anton Kieffer from EIL with some young people who will take part in the Ireland Hong youth Exchange Programme 2009.