International Programme

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The annual exchange has been an important part of the summer programme since as far back as 1990. With financial aid from Léargas—The Exchange Bureau. In 2006 we took part in a bi-lateral exchange in Germany. Ten young people and one leader spent eight days in Reichenbach our partner town in Germany since the first exchange in 1990. During the exchange we visited places such as Buchenwald Concentration Camp, the cities of Weimar and Dresden as well as engaging in a work project at a tourism venue.

Two youth workers participated in “Youth for Europe Training” one in Austria and the other in the Netherlands. As a result of which, they will hopefully offer other international opportunities in 2007.

International opportunities provide young people with a “mirror to view themselves as others see them” and to value and explore their own culture.

Intercultural learning teaches tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and is a valuable tool in combating racism, a trait needed in our quickly developing multi-cultural society at home in Carlow.

As a result of the exchange programme we have had many one-to-one exchanges and this year we hosted two students (one from Holland and one from Germany) for six months while they improved their English.

Young Irish people have had the opportunity to travel and be hosted on a one-to-one basis by contacts in Germany and Austria.

The international programme provides young people with an opportunity to explore other countries and cultures at a very low cost and with the security of experienced group leaders.

The plan for 2007 is to participate in an exchange involving a group from Wales.

Many lasting friendships were formed and the participants left with the cry of ...

"See you next year!!!!!!!!"