Students enjoying Ireland
11/28/2000 2:25:57 PM
November 25 - This fall, two Adventure Tourism students from College of the North Atlantic’s Corner Brook campus in Newfoundland, were chosen to participate in internships in County Donegal, Ireland.
This opportunity came about as a result of recent connections between the college and community and educational organizations in Ireland, including the Letterkenny Institute of Technology and GAISCE The President’s Award.
The internship positions were made possible by funding from the Youth International Internship Program (YIIP). This program sends several post secondary graduates from College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland to foreign countries each year. These participants not only benefit from valuable work experience, but also gain the opportunity to immerse themselves in enriching new environments.
“Although we have only arrived in Ireland within the last two months, we can certainly appreciate the value of this ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure,” says Carla Hartley of Corner Brook, Newfoundland on behalf of herself and Alana Yorke of Bass River, Nova Scotia. “We are very grateful to be the Adventure Tourism students who were selected for the program.”
Stationed in Donegal, Ireland, Hartley and Yorke have been assigned to increase community involvement in outdoor pursuits, and heighten people’s awareness of the potential which lies in their natural surroundings.
“We teach outdoor skills involved in such activities as kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and map reading with an emphasis on safety, minimal environmental impact, and physical fitness. The increased involvement in these fields is expected to foster the future development of the adventure tourism industry in Donegal,” says Yorke.
The two College of the North Atlantic students say this experience has enabled them to apply the leadership skills they gained from the Adventure Tourism program while reinforcing the importance of the technical skills involved in their courses.
“It has made us aware of our ability, as Canadians, to lead others in outdoor activities which are not as common in areas which lack the rugged wilderness of our homeland,” Hartley says.
“While we have had the chance to share our knowledge with local people; we have received experiences which have given us a new perspective on the Irish culture. This cultural exchange has taken many forms: an Irish dancing lesson, a ‘Newfie Night’, a traditional meal, or a pint of Guinness at the pub, to name a few.”
“It has inspired us to trace our own Irish roots, and has given us a deeper understanding of ourselves and where we come from,” adds Yorke.
“It has motivated us to understand the ways of a different people, and identify with the issues that exist in their society. It has exposed us to experiences that have enriched our lives, and given us a thirst for more.”
The great effect of this type of experience can not be easily communicated. However, the students say they hope they have imparted the value of this type of internship for other students.
“We continue to benefit from our internships each day, and plan to return home with keen insight and enthusiasm for positive growth in our own Canadian Adventure Tourism industry,” says Yorke.
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For more information contact:
Stephen Lee
Communications Officer
College of the North Atlantic
Tel: (709) 643-7928
Fax: 9709) 643-7932
Email: stephen.lee@northatlantic.nf.ca