Published: Tuesday, 30th June, 2009 12:00pm

Wilson"s student wins travel award to Vermont

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Emily McCormack from Keoltown in Ballinea has won a trip to Vermont as part of the EIL Travel Award programme. She will discuss issues and policies that impact on young people there.

Eighteen-year-old Emily McCormack from Keoltown in Ballinea won an Experiment in International Living (EIL) Travel Award and as a result she gets to spend two weeks in Vermont with the Travel Awards Programme discussing issues which impact on young people.

Emily, who has just finished her Leaving Cert in Wilsons Hospital School, Multyfarnham, will be going to Vermont with four other winners from across Ireland. She will participate in many issue groups whilst there, ranging from climate, politics and leadership to social justice and global children.

This Travel Award allows the recipient to debate with and get to know the young people from this maligned New England State, that has a population of just 600,000 people. The Vermont Governor"s Institute on Current Issues and Youth Activism examines current issues, policies and political questions, which impact on young people.

After filling out a questionnaire on her own background and hobbies, Emily won the award by telling the people at EIL what she could bring to this experience and how she could benefit from participating in it.Speaking about the trip, an excited Emily said: 'We will be listening to various Vermont politicians and policy makers, and in the evenings we will be taking part in cultural activities such as hand drumming workshops, an Afro-Brazilian dance night and a barn dance,' said Emily.

'One of the highlights should be July 4 where we will participate in the parade in Brattleboro and then go swimming, play games, have ice-cream and go strawberry picking. Later on there will be a presentation to our group (EIL Ireland) and the day will finish with a fireworks display.

'I cannot wait to go and I thank EIL for giving me this wonderful experience,' she continued. 'I would encourage anyone to apply for an EIL Travel Award next year where the other destinations include Ecuador, Argentina, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico and Japan.'

Speaking about her time in Wilsons she said:

'I loved my time in Wilsons and hopefully I will be able to apply some of the things I have learned there in Vermont.

EIL Travel Awards challenge young people to explore some of the most exciting cultures in the world in a responsible and meaningful way.

The 'not for profit' organisation provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, volunteer abroad, language training, travel awards, group educational programmes, and other cultural immersion activities for about 2,000 people each year.

Based on principles of experiential learning (learning by doing), EIL programmes are designed to provide tools to survive and thrive in another culture or in a different language, to foster personal development, to build communication and leadership skills, and to be active citizens in an interdependent world.