EIL Intercultural Learning

Hi, my name is Aislinn McCauley and I am delighted to be writing my first blog for EIL! I couldn’t believe it when I got a call from Michelle, the programme coordinator to say that I had been selected for the Argentina Travel Award! In less than 3 weeks time I’m heading off to Chilecito, in the la Rioja region to work at a children’s project. I sent in an application to EIL in March and I was invited to an interview in Dublin in April. The set-up for the interview in Dublin was great. I was really nervous but the whole thing was relaxed and allowed us time show our personalities and potential. I had a great time talking with the panel about their involvement in EIL. I’d recommend the whole process to anybody who’s interested. The other candidates in my interview group were great and I really didn’t think I would be chosen.
    The first thing I did when I found out that I was going to Argentina was to call my family and friends to let them know the good news. My mother was a bit shocked to say the least, that I am going half way across the world, to a country that I know little about and not much of the language! She has since realised what a great opportunity it is, putting her recent discovery of Google to good use and finding me lots of photos of the Chilecito area, which looks amazing! Meanwhile, I have been concentrating on finishing my exams and moving home from my Erasmus year in France. With perfect timing, an email arrived from Michelle with my confirmed flight details on the day I finished my exams! Now that I had that bit of information, the whole thing seems more real!There are lots of things to be done before I set off. Firstly, vaccinations, which I was a bit worried about, but they didn’t hurt and I got a lollipop afterwards, happy days! Next is Spanish: since finishing my exams I have turned my attention to getting a grip on the language. My mp3 players is now packed full of Spanish podcasts and CDs in the hope that when I arrive I will be able to communicate on some level. I am looking forward to the Spanish lessons as part of the program. I am also trying to think about and plan activities that the children in the project might enjoy and I’m asking my friend who is a primary school teacher for advice. The volunteer charter that I got in the post from EIL had also been very helpful and gives lots of references to other resources for first-time volunteers. There’s also lots of reading to be done, as I feel the more I know about the Argentinean culture before I go, the easier it will be to quickly settle in! So far I know that Argentina is well known for its wine, beef and of course... soccer. Hopefully there will be a good bit of excitement over the World Cup when I arrive! I have some Latin American friends who have tried to teach me some of the big differences in pronunciation between Argentinean Spanish and European Spanish. They also told me that Argentina has great ice cream, better than anything in Europe! I’m really looking forward to meeting my host family and the group of children (aged 3-9) that I will be working with in Chilecito. I’m so grateful to EIL for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I guess next time your hear from me I will be on my way! So Adios for now!