Travel Awards news

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.

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!!

Continually thinking in German

I'm now back a month after spending two months in Germany as an exchange student. It was an amazing experience and I'd even go as far as saying the best two months of my life!. I had soooooo much fun. I made many friends who I hope to have for a long time (some are planning on visisting me in the summer hols), I got to experience another culture and have grown to love it, I've tried many new things, become more organised and independant and my German has improved immensly.

Tralee Twins with Hong Kong!

In the month of March this year my Youthreach co-ordinator Margaret Culloty nominated me for a Travel Award to Hong Kong through the not-for-profit organisation EIL Intercultural Learning. I had never travelled anywhere abroad before apart from Britain so it was a huge opportunity for me.

October in Germany! Oktober in Deutschland :D

Hey! Sorry it's so long since my last blog. I've been quite busy doing many different things. The first weekend in October was a long weekend, as Monday was a National Holiday (Tag des Deutsche Einheit/German Unity Day). On the Saturday we went to Bremen. On the train we met an Irish band called "Spellbound". It was the first time in 5 weeks that I got to speak English face to face with somebody. Surprisingly, I found it extremely difficult, as German words kept coming to mind. When we arrived in Bremen, we went to the "Universum" there.

Eurocamp Naumburg 2011

Eurocamp. If like me, you have no idea what this is, then you are exactly where I was back in May when I applied for the award. To this day, I never expected to win it and I really did not have much time to mull over what was in store for me. Essentially, it was a three week opportunity to make friends from all over Europe, to explore East Germany and generally to become aquainted with the whole concept of being "European".

Forming new friendships and the possibility of an excursion for the kids...

Hi everyone, so on Saturday evening Marieka, Jan and carsten arrived in Chilecito. They are the fresh new volunteers ready and waiting to begin their year’s stay here. I have to say I am a little jealous. As I live with Betty I never need to go very far for our volunteer meetings or parties and on Saturday evening we met for some sandwiches and ricotta cake. Seeing the guys takes me back to my first day in Chilecito. I was so scared and unsure about what to expect. I remember attending a similar party where I was the main focus of attention.

1 month in Germany <3

Guten Tag! :D I find it hard to believe that I'm here 1 month. The time is flying and I'm enjoying every minute of my time here. I've really settled in with my family. I feel right at home to be honest. School is getting better and better by the day.

Last week all alone and creating a reading friendly environment in the comedor.......

After a beautiful relaxing weekend in Catamarca it was time for me once again to begin another week in the comedor. Time is genuinely going by so quickly here is Chilecito. This Saturday night I am meeting the next group of German volunteers who will be working in the comedor. I am very excited to tell the guys all I have learnt over the last few weeks. Betty and I are holding a little welcome party for the new volunteers which will be really nice.

My first week working alone...

So as you already know from my latest blog the other volunteer working in the comedor( Lea) has left this lovely country to return home to Germany which means I was working on my own this week. It felt a little strange at first because I am really used to having the guys with me in the comedor, but it was another little challenge for me to overcome here in Chilecito and I think I did ok.... If I do say so myself