Ireland Exchange Programme
Ireland Exchange Program 2006 by Laurie Thomson
Another
great adventure to brag about, and you know how they say that the
“third time’s a charm.” For the entire month of September our group did
an amazing job adapting to life in the Irish culture, working in their
placements and living in the homes of families they had never met
before. Based out of Omagh in the North of Ireland, everyone quickly
felt at home and easily fell into the laid back Irish pace of life. We
were welcomed everywhere we traveled.
This year’s participants consisted of, from Elmira, Karen Weber and Wojtek (Spike) Monkiewicz who both worked at the Leisure Centre and Fern Bish who worked at the Red Cross Used Clothing Store. From Waterloo, we had Tom Logan who worked refinishing antiques at Mullaghmore House and Troy Cassidy who worked at the Ulster American Folk Park. I was so very lucky to have with me once again, Cheryl McTaggart, who is a tireless, enthusiastic and supportive partner to travel with, and a wonderful friend to ‘hang out’ with at the end of some very long days.
This year we also welcomed Greg over for the final week so that he could see the program in action. He met the families and employers and was able to get a sense of the magnitude of the work involved to make it all come together. Greg also proved to be somewhat Irish at heart with his abilities to join us in our ‘pubbing’ adventures- a very important part of the Irish lifestyle. We all traveled together around the Antrim Coast which has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. (I recommend NOT driving with him when traveling on very small roads and on the left side…ask him about his side view mirror!)
This program is much more than an opportunity to experience another culture. It has raised levels of confidence and independence, increased skill levels and raised awareness of the world around us. Everyone proved themselves to be excellent representatives of Canada and all should be very proud of their accomplishments.
