22 young Irish sought for all expenses paid trips

EXCHANGES:A CORK-BASED organisation is looking for 22 young Irish people to go on all expenses paid volunteering trips to a number of far flung destinations across the world this summer.

EIL Intercultural Learning, a not-for-profit-organisation, is seeking applications from young people interested in exploring other cultures.

Among the trips on offer is a four-week visit to Ecuador involving a visit to the Amazon jungle; six weeks in Japan attending a local secondary school; nine weeks as a volunteer on a local indigenous project in Mexico; two months living in Germany with a host family and attending a local secondary school; and a 10-week volunteer placement in a child welfare project in Argentina.

Founded in 1932, EIL is the oldest educational exchange organisation in the world.

Its programmes are designed to provide people with the tools to survive and thrive in another culture or in a different language.

With branches in 26 countries, it is a not-for-profit, non-religious and non-political association which has been designated as a “Peace Messenger Organisation” by the United Nations.

There are also a number of heavily subsidised opportunities available 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.

“We are looking for curious young people who are passionate about what is happening in the wider world beyond Ireland,” says Brendan Kelleher, director in EIL Intercultural Learning.

“These opportunities help young people to reach out and connect with other cultures and challenges them to grow as individuals.”

• For more information on the awards you can get in touch with EIL Intercultural Learning on 021-4551535 or see their website, eilireland.org/travel-awards