Travel awards on offer to young students

Cork-based not-for-profit organisation EIL Intercultural Learning have launched their Intercultural Learning Travel Awards 2010, through which 31 young Irish people will be awarded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Japan, Ecuador, South Africa, Mexico, Hong Kong, Argentina, Nigeria and the USA during the summer of 2010.

EIL invites young people aged 16 or over to apply before March 26th 2010 to be in with a chance to win one of these amazing, FREE trips, which include such diverse adventures as four weeks in Ecuador involving a visit to the Amazon Jungle, six weeks in Japan attending a local secondary school, nine weeks in Mexico volunteering on a local indigenous project, twelve days in Vermont USA attending the Governor's Youth Initiative and a ten-week placement in Argentina with a child welfare project.

'We are looking for curious young people who are passionate about what is happening in the wider world beyond Ireland. These opportunities help young people to reach out and connect with other cultures and challenges them to grow as individuals,' said Brendan Kelleher, Director of EIL Intercultural Learning.

Rebecca Bourke, last year's winner of six weeks in Japan said 'seeing everything "come alive" was the most magical, exciting, and rewarding experience I have ever had. I always enjoyed studying Japanese in school and working hard to get good grades in it, but going to the country and "living the dream", seeing scenes I had only imagined, speaking the language for the purpose of communication, was beyond anything that I had ever experienced in the classroom!'

For more information on the awards and how to apply contact EIL on 021 4551535 or log on to www.eilireland.org/travel-awards.

EIL is the oldest educational exchange organisation in the world and the Irish office is based in Cork city. EIL coordinates a range of programmes including study abroad, volunteer abroad, group educational travel opportunities and other cultural immersion activities for about 2,000 people every year. Other subsidised travel opportunities are also available to participate in the annual Hong Kong/Ireland Youth Exchange and the Global Awareness programme involving eight weeks working with HIV/AIDS organisations in Nigeria and South Africa.