Easter Camp trip to China for students
Two students of St. Joseph’s Presentation and St. Patrick’s Secondary Schools Transition Year Programme have been awarded much coveted places at the Study in China 2018 Easter Camp.
As part of the T.Y. programme offered by both schools students study Chinese language and culture through an inschool learning module.
Eibhlís Brosnan and Darragh Bourke will leave for Shanghai University next March. They will get the chance to study the Chinese Language along with many aspects of Chinese culture.
Their studies will include: calligraphy; martial arts; songs and history.
They will also take in visits to the cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
As part of their application process students tendered a written submission.
A small flavour of what both students wrote gives great insight into their wonderfully inquisitive nature and interest in travel and broadening their horizons.
Eibhlís wrote as part of her submission:
“I was immediately captivated when my T.Y. coordinators mentioned a trip to China. I was instantly enraptured.
“Firstly I thought of that time when I was in primary school and a teacher or an older student would ask you, ‘Where do you want to live when you’re older’ or ‘where do you wish to travel’ – my answer was always China.
“I have always been fascinated by their culture and their hidden history.”
Darragh mentioned how he would love to gain a deeper understanding of the language and the best way to do that is to be thrown in at the deep end, by visiting China.
“Chinese culture interests me so much because it is very foreign and alien compared to what I am used to. Their traditions and customs are so different to Ireland, from how holidays are celebrated to how they sit at the dinner table, and this fascinates me,” said Darragh.
“This is a huge educationally and personally enriching opportunity for both students who will join one hundred other second level students from around the country in this programme,” said teacher, Tim Long.
“The opportunity, which is offered in conjunction with UCC Confucius Institute, Irish Institute of Chinese Studies and Shanghai University, is sponsored by the Headquarters of Confucius Institute, Hanban.
“Students and teachers in both schools are very proud of D arragh and Eibhlís and wish them well on their travels and studies,” said Mr. Long.