Belvedere College's Tour of Hong Kong & China 2009

"Little is known about China in Ireland that goes beyond cuisine and kung fu movie stereotypes. While China is not a top destination for Irish travellers, Irish Jesuits made a home for themselves there over four hundred years ago. In the 1920s they built a school, Wah Yan Jesuit College Kowloon in Hong Kong, and it is this connection which has inspired a new student exchange project between China and Ireland.

The Jesuit Belvedere College in Dublin has a healthy transition year programme. Between sport, music, drama (and everything else) it can be a busy year for TY students. A new programme begun this year gives those in TY the opportunity to experience Chinese language and culture. Run by the UCD Confucius Institute, the 10-week course includes modules in Chinese language, food, society, tradition, arts, film and music.

For some of those involved, the introductory course will serve a very practical purpose, as 17 Irish students are preparing to travel to Hong Kong for two weeks in April. The exchange between Wah Yan College and Belvedere College is being piloted this year and has all gone to plan thus far. Despite the high cost (€1,750 for Irish students) and the scarcity of places (only 15 available to each school), the exchange has been over-subscribed on both sides, with 17 Irish students and 18 Hong Kong Chinese students now involved.

16-year-old Donal Cahill first became interested in the trip while doing the Chinese cultural course last term. They already do a lot of exchanges here in Belvedere with schools in France, Austria and India, he says. But travelling to China is just so different to anything Ive ever had the opportunity to do before.

The schools career guidance counsellor, Barry OLeary, had a big part to play in putting the whole exchange together. I travelled over to Hong Kong before we agreed to set up the student exchange, says OLeary. We were welcomed with open arms by our guests but, more importantly, Wah Yan College has a strong social justice programme, like ourselves, which made the whole idea even more appealing. In the spirit of both schools ethos, Irish students will be travelling to mainland China to teach English at a primary school in a disadvantaged area as part of their own two-week trip to Hong Kong.

Authorities in Belvedere College expect that this is the beginning of a long-standing relationship with Wah Yan College, and expects the the Chinese classes in TY to continue. It has gone very well so far this year so I expect it will become a regular programme, says OLeary."
wites writes John Holden, The Irish Times

Music: Mr Blue Sky by ELO, Dancing Song of the Yao Tribe by the Chinese Instrumental Ensemble.
Photos by: Brian Marron, Ms Bow, Mr O'Leary, James Keane, Manus Carlisle, John Lorigan & Peter Lalor.
Directed By: Brian Marron
Produced By: Mr Gerry Foley

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[InvoluntaryTwitch]

Cracking penalty, top corner good and proper. There was something fishy about 2:43 though, there is no plaice for that kind of stuff.

[Ciano92nu]

「英語一分鐘」重溫之二十八

[swissnor]

Papists

[majason8875]

Wahyanites love you guys !! 

[St0pm0ti0nguy]

Kenney r da best

[Wingman1029]

dats a real good video well done

[pkelly345]

do u know sam o brian

[ahyip021]

good video! saw some of my teachers whom taught me a few years ago, glad that WYCHK had a wonderful exchange programme with u guys and girls! keep it up!

[zukagame]

in clare we went to new york...me phone was robbed.... we walked every day...but we also ate mcdonalds everyday....so basically we all gained weight, lost like €900, and i had my phone was robbed......fuck.

[tunney96]

shut up iaran Xavier are superior (;

[ciarandelegend]

WHAT A VIDEO!!!!

GO SCULLY!!!!!