This year at ASCN, for the first time, we were granted a fund to run an Erasmus+ project. The opportunity to participate was offered to all TY students and 5th years studying French. In total, 23 students decided to embrace the chance to communicate with French students for a year, resulting with a two-week exchange in April, when the students from Auray, in Brittany, came to stay with our students for a week. We then went back to France with them for a week as well.
From October 2023, the students were paired and were communicating with each other to learn more about themselves and their families.
Our project was based on improving language skills, getting to know the other culture and sustainability. Each school prepared presentations to explain parts of our culture and what is done in our schools and countries in terms of sustainability and protection of the environment.
On 7th April 2024, our French guests arrived in Clara for a week of activities and classes. They started their week by attending classes on the Monday morning. We then went to visit the Abbey of Clonmacnoise, where we learned about St Ciarán, the founder, and the high crosses.
On Tuesday, we went for a two-day trip to the west of Ireland, visiting the site of Craggaunowen, a 16th century castle, where students got to make bracelets using weaving techniques. They also experienced how to make a wall with wattle and daub and they made pottery. The afternoon was spent at the Cliffs of Moher, which was a first for some of our Irish students.
The next three days were more dedicated to the cultural aspect of our exchange with visits to Wildlands and their Irish Legends escape rooms, Gaelic sports and a visit to Croke Park and the EPIC museum.
Throughout the week, the Irish students also organised activities in the evenings and at the weekend for their French partners.
Sunday 14th April marked our departure for France. All students were excited to go on this new adventure. They started their Monday morning with a couple of classes, and we all had lunch at the school canteen. It was quite a unique experience from what we are used to in Ireland, with a choice of starters, mains, cheese and dessert. After lunch, we went to see the dunes and cliffs along the coast of Plouharnel and Saint-Pierre-Quiberon to learn about the effects of erosion and the solutions put in place to limit the damage of human activity.
On Tuesday, we went to Carnac, to see a megalithic site containing over 3,000 standing stones, or menhirs. We also heard some of the legends surrounding the site. In the afternoon, we went to a zip-it activity where students conquered their fear of heights and walked through different obstacles from tree to tree.
With Wednesday being a half day, we spent the morning in school, attending classes and reviewing the project so far. Kyra, Megan and Mia also took part in the semi-final of their enterprise competition, online, all the way from France. In the afternoon, a lot of students went to the beach with their French partners and enjoyed the nice weather.
For our last two days, the sun was still shining, and we enjoyed a great visit of the city of Vannes and its fortifications as well as a boat trip to small island in the Gulf of Morbihan.
Leaving on Sunday afternoon was emotional for many students, who got on really well in their French families, while others already made plans to meet up again during the summer.
Overall, this was a successful and beneficial experience for all students who got to experience new ways of life and had to get out of their comfort zone.
Well done to all involved.
