Yeah! international Students magazine 3 ED

august 2012 - ed. 3

Campus Waterford Institute of Technology

Special Integration and Sport in Ireland

Chat with

Naoise O’Muiri Dublin Lord Mayor

Spaniards

Choosing Ireland to improve their English

Ring of Kerry • Careers • Rythms and Culture • Bit of Craic



in Ireland

The Cultural Service of the Embassy of France is proud to support Culture in Ireland and the Franco-Irish Relationship



Theatre   Music    

 

L









…and much more!

To be kept up to date about our Cultural Events & WIN free tickets



subscribe to our Newsletter

by email to scac@ambafrance-ie.org or log on to our website

www.ambafrance-ie.org



yeah 2

feed back

A Chara, Reading th e article" B it of Craic I was very " in your m surprised agazine re to see tha know the cently, t whoever colours of wrote it d our nation surround o e s n't a l flag.They ing areas being "de refer to pu during th c o rated in g bs and e europea reen whit n champio are " Gree e and gold nships. As n White a " the nation nd Orang someone al colours e" it is a ra involved in th er silly mis the prom Or perhap take for otion of e s a bad ca d u s cation to e of colourb Is Mise le make. lindness. meas.

John Flan agan. Irela nd

Dear edito r, Recently I came acro ss the Yea website an h! M d I had th e opportunit agazine good work y to see th th e like to hav at you have been do e the hard ing. I wou ld copy of th is possible e magazin . e if it Regards Marie-Cla ude Saliba Beirut, Le banon

Thanks fo r a fantasti c July edit magazine ion of Yea is really co h! - th lo urful and and has so well produ e much of in ce terest to o in Ireland verseas stu d . I particu la d ents r ly enjoyed mend� pa ge and th th e “ I r e come great ph otos!

Paulina Jo nes USA

Thanks so much for sending u of 'Yeah!' s some cop the magaz ies ine is reall well produ y colourfu ced and ha l, s mation fo r students lots of useful inforc onsidering destinatio Ireland as n fo a keep up th r their studies. W ell done an e good wo d rk!

Gales Ed ucation Colombia

yeah 3

welcome

EDITOR’S WORD

S

omeone joked recently that in the Bible it says that 40 days of rain was proclaimed a disaster, in Ireland it goes by a different name - summer. Yes it’s true, we have had more than our fair share of rain this year, but that needn’t dampen our spirits - even if our clothes are drenched half the time! In this month’s edition of Yeah! Magazine we will endeavour to take you away from the bad weather. Instead we’ll try and provide readers with some positive features to chew over. One of these takes us to the world famous Ring of Kerry. Located in the southwest of Ireland, it is a wonderfully scenic area. Our Post Card feature, in this issue, has a cosy report on what it is like to tour around that part of the country - not to mention the hospitality that is to be experienced. Dublin has a new Lord Mayor. Naoise O Muiri recently became the city’s first citizen and Yeah!

Magazine was recently welcomed to his official residence, the Mansion House, to speak to him. We are grateful to the Lord Mayor’s office for granting us time to conduct the interview, which is carried in this issue. Talking of Dublin, our capital city is now home to many who have come from abroad. What’s rather less surprising, as anyone walking around the city knows, is the large presence of international students. A sizeable number come for the summer months and many of them hail from Spain.

You can read about ‘the fair city’ and its growing multicultural environment in this month’s Cover Story feature. The last couple of months have been frantic here at Yeah! Magazine. But the work of our interns, who joined us from various parts of the US, has had a very positive impact. This month one of our interns, Tara Smith, writes about the differing perceptions of American and Irish college life. Both nations have a long history of friendship and culturally America has a big influence on Irish life. We hope Tara’s article will provoke great interest among readers. Finally our Bit of Craic section, this month, features a range of colourful images taken at the National Concert Hall at the celebrations of the third year of the Dublin Latin Festival. For now we’ve got to fly, but please keep Yeah! Magazine locked on your radar. Wishing you a pleasant and informative read…..

24 28 Crew

Editorial Editor Ian Callagy info@yeah.ie DESIGN Designer Allyson Wakeman Pictures Adilson Gandia Junior WEB & Blog Tara Smith

EDITION # 3 cOVER

events Team events@yeah.ie Executive Director Raffael Abarca Ricardo Lúcio Advertising Ricardo Lúcio +353 0 871524669 ricardo@yeah.ie Raffael Abarca +353 0 863367879 raffa@yeah.ie

Photography: Adilson Gandia Junior contributors Peter O’Neill Jose Sierra Miren Maialen Chris O’Connell Silvia Bernal Je Yuna Sergio Angulo Katyluz Garcia Wanderley Massafelli Grace Wilentz

Yeah! Magazine is published by DMP - Dreams Media Producers Address: 6 Cumberland Street, Dun Lao-

Ian Gallagy Ian Callagy Editor

yeah 4

haire, Co.Dublin Dublin, Ireland.

www.yeah.ie.

All the contents of Yeah! Magazine are only for general information and/or use.

Such contents do not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) any decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is/are the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and are not subscribed to by Yeah! Magazine.

PLANET OCEAN

6 regulars

features

6 Chat with...

16In focus

Naoise, the new Lord Mayor of Dublin.

8In Focus

MA in Sexuality Studies attracts international students to DCU.

10Profile

“What’s Life Like for Students in Other Countries?”

24 Post Card

Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s natural treasure.

Spaniards in Ireland.

32Special

Integration and Sport in Ireland.

30Careers

Generating Career Prospects.

student life 22Campus

Waterford Institute of Technology.

26Music and

Entertainment Rhythms and Cultures in Ireland.

36Bit of Craic

Inside the Dublin Latin Festival 2012.

yeah 5

chat with

Naoise O’Muiri

new Lord Mayor of Dublin Graduate of NUI Galway. He has a background in engineering and is a native Irish speaker. The newly elected first citizen of Dublin is a member of Fine Gael and runs his own technology company.

O’Muiri has also served as a director of the Dublin City Enterprise Board and, in the past, has taken an interest in issues surrounding the elderly in society as well as participating in a task force looking into the problems of alcoholism..

The Lord Mayor came to office last month and our interview took place in his official residence, the Mansion House in central Dublin. Yeah!

Magazine’s Ian Callagy was there to ask the questions.

yeah 6

What do you hope to achieve during your term in office?

What is your view on having a directly elected Mayor for Dublin?

Well I’ve set out a few priorities in terms of the upcoming year.

One of them is tourism: to try and get the promotion for the city right. I think we can do better in that regard, both at home and abroad…The whole area of a digital city, so we have a digital hub. I think we can drive on, on digital for the city itself, for its government, for its citizens. So we have some good plans in that regard.

Also, in terms of, on the date of my election I said I see myself as a ‘Happy Warrior’ for the city.

That means somebody who’s willing to fight when needed, but you have to have a positive outlook as well. I’m very positive about Dublin and the city itself.

It’s hopping at the moment. So tied into that, I suppose, there are a lot of events happening around Dublin which need promotion and to keep putting on more and more events. Like we have the ‘Tall Ships’ this year coming to Dublin, that will be a superb event. There’s an awful lot happening and more happening which we’re adding to……

Yes, I support it. For the greater Dublin region and not just the city. I think the region of Dublin… the county of Dublin itself has 1.4 million people – give or take - living in it. I think the region is big enough to sustain a directly elected Mayor. But you can’t do it without reforming the powers of the city manager and the local government system itself…

“ Inter

The main role of the Lord Mayor is’. a) to chair the council meetings and b) to represent the city of Dublin at public events in the city and in Ireland and also to represent the city abroad. But in terms of executive power, the Lord Mayor is very limited.

You have to reform all of that if you are going to have a directly elected Mayor. The directly elected Mayor, he or she, must have direct control over local services like planning etc……

There’s a lot of change needed to do that properly, there’s no point in doing it in a half-baked manner.

What time frame would you envisage this happening in?

It’s probably a two-way process.

You probably have to do it in tandem with the local elections…

I would see a stage one happening as early as 2014 and stage two happening five years after that.

are nationa v l city ery wel studen ts co is of th very ap me. Th e prec em c iativ omin e g he re”.

There are many international students in Dublin now. What would be your message to them as Lord Mayor?

They are very welcome. The city is very appreciative of them coming here. Dublin people, generally, give them a very good welcome. We want to see them coming here…Dublin is developing multiculturally the whole time and students add to that. So… we are very happy to receive them.

By Ian Callagy

I’m very positive about Dublin and the city itself. It’s hopping at the moment.

yeah 7

in focus MA in Sexuality Studies attracts International students to DCU

By Ian Callagy

Ian Callagy asks Dr Mel Duffy about the MA in Sexuality Studies (MASS) programme, in Dublin City University (DCU), which is now into its second year.

The MASS programme started in 2010 when DCU’s School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS) joined with the School of Nursing and Human Sciences. Together they had, as Dr Mel Duffy puts it, a “mad-capped” idea to start a Masters programme in human sexuality. “We were very aware of the fact that there were so many negative attributes hitting the media around the issues of sexuality and what we wanted to do was to have a programme that captured that as well as the joys and positivity of sexuality”, Duffy says.

At first the organisers didn’t want to concentrate solely on LGBT. “We wanted a programme that covered all sexualities”, Duffy explains. The programme also had to have an interdisciplinary programme. To that end a meeting was convened to examine all the post graduate modules in DCU. Finally, after carrying out all of this research and preparation, a programme was put together. It was now time to offer students the first MASS ever taught in Ireland.

The next step in the process for accrediting the MASS programme had

yeah 8

begun. Dr. Wallace Wong (expert in Transgenderism, Canada), Dr. Mark Casey (University of Nottingham), as well as other academics from UCD and TCD, all took time out to examine the programme. Following that, the MASS programme was fully validated.

Meanwhile, in 2010, the organisers decided to host a conference on sexuality. A second such meeting was put on earlier this year. Duffy says that over 100 delegates from 23 countries came to both events and they fulfilled a need to discuss the many issues around sexuality.

The first conference was opened by the well known Historian, Diarmaid Ferriter and was closed by the legendary Journalist, Mary Raftery. The latter, Duffy states, “was superb. She enthralled people.”

In fact both Ferriter and Raftery perfectly suited the conference, as Duffy explains: “He gave the history of sexuality in Ireland] and she gave the outcome of what happened during that history.”

This year’s conference featured former Fine Gael MEP, Mary Banotti.

Duffy describes the ex-politician’s contribution as “wonderful” and acknowledges her ability to draw on her vast experience as an activist for Womens rights over the years.

Banotti, who was once a nurse, gave a talk on the development of Womens sexuality throughout her

life. No one better could have been chosen to open the conference, says Duffy.

Another who spoke at the 2012 event was Amnesty International Ireland’s Executive Director, Colm O’Gorman.

Senator Katherine Zappone also addressed delegates and talked about the battle for sexual equality. Duffy says the speakers were able to talk from “a philosophical, theological, sociological, psychological and any other intellectual angle, human rights, all of that, for the legitimacy of why two consenting adults cannot love each other within a properly recognised framework.”

When asked what the outcome was for students, who participated in the MASS programme in the past, Duffy says five students had graduated initially. She describes the graduates as “a very interesting group”, adding that, “they came from various backgrounds: there was a psychologist, a sociologist, an activist, an educationalist.”

Duffy has high hopes for each of the participants and is quick to give them praise. The progress they made, it is hoped, will extend to the next batch of students for the future of the MASS programme. Indeed some of the new participants are from countries such as Iran, Nigeria and the US. This highlights the fact that sexuality is a universal issue.

Dr Mel Duffy

Difference in Perspectives: American Students on Irish Students Text & Photo by Tara Smith

By Tara Smith

College life in the United States of #4 of the most educated countries, but bridge gaps internationally. American America has a varied reputation. there is also another case study that students’ studies don’t divulge a lot of While most people may see American colleges as either “party schools” or institutes with their sights set on integrity and success, the one fact remembered is that they represent freedom and the chance to become a part of the “American dream”: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The notion that colleges in the USA are being looked upon by the world brings about a point that isn’t discussed very often: what about the American pointof-view? How do we see colleges in other parts of the globe? It would take quite a bit of paper to go into detail about colleges everywhere, so this article will be more focused on Irish students’ lives at universities and how American students see them.

One major point is that they are more focused on their studies. While most American students are driven to succeed, Irish students appear more goaloriented and less prone to distractions, such as partying in college dorms. While the Irish are famous for their pubs, they use drinking more as a socializing tool instead of a drinking-to-get-drunk method. Another factor that could be associated with focus on studies is the graduation rate. The USA used to be a close runner-up to Canada, considered the country with the highest rate of graduating college seniors. Nowadays, it has been brought down the list. There is one case study that ranks the USA as

ranks the USA as #12 and Ireland at #6.

The reason stated in the case study was that Ireland has grown 2% every year and that most of those students go on to be a part of a job market predominantly made up of employees with higher education. As for the USA, a reason why they may have been bumped down on the list is stated in another case study, which basically states that the USA has been stagnant for at least 30 years while other countries have slowly been increasing their numbers.

Irish students appear more goal-oriented and less prone to distractions.

Another point that can be made in favor of Irish students is that they embrace multiculturalism and do their best to

information about different cultures; the opposite looks to be true for Irish students. An example to lend credibility to this claim can be found at Trinity College by Grafton Street in Dublin.

When you first walk in through the main entrance, there are a lot of notice boards on display. There is one board in particular that displays a variety of international students attempting to reach out to one another. The notices range from learning and practicing different languages to organizations dedicated to promoting awareness of intercultural groups and opportunities to meet new people from different parts of the world. While there are organizations like these in USA colleges, they aren’t as heavily-promoted and supported.

Even though colleges in the USA are highly-desirable to international students, there are other schools across the globe that could be more beneficial to attend. Ireland is a prime example of this. If their students, with their openmindedness and multicultural outlook on the world, are the end result of a completed education in Irish colleges, American students and institutions could learn something from them. Not only would it improve international relationships between the two countries, it also has the potential to help the USA to escape their stagnant trend and climb the list of increased graduation rates.

yeah 9

profile

W ha t’s Li fe Li ke ?

Krystyna Szafranski

Robert N. Williams

Age: 20 University of Exeter: Exeter, Devon, UK

Age: 22 Orange Coast College: Costa Mesa,CA, USA

What is a defining factor of an English college student?

A defining factor would probably be that we have a lot of respect for our lecturers and study, but also always go out.

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

It’s a dance society, so dancing is one of the activities I participate in frequently.

What is a defining factor of an American college student?

For me, a defining characteristic would be doing all the stupid things they want, simply because they can.

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

I don’t participate in extracurricular activities.

I don’t have the money.

What is the teaching style?

What is the teaching style?

It’s primarily lecture-based with a few tutorials as an extra for particular modules.

I go to class, we perform a lab or workshop based on the last chapter we read and homework we did, then we receive instructions for the next chapters to read and homework to do, which we must complete before the next class.

What comes to mind when you think of a stereotypical American college student?

I think of them as social, participating in activities such as parties, spring break, and sororities/frats. I also feel they are more laidback regarding studies.

yeah 10

What comes to mind when you think of a stereotypical English college student?

I think of a well-dressed young man in a tie and blazer. There is a patch of his school’s coat-of-arms on his breast pocket, and he kicks a football in front of him as he carries his books.

By Tara Smith

i recommend

Wstuhdaentts recommend!

, s n io ct ra t at , s nt ve e st e b ’s d n Find Irela restaurants and night life

Kelly Kang

David Nyaluke

Claudia Arellano

Age: 31 From: Chile

Age: 31 From: Tanzania

‘Ireland is much more than just beautiIreland is much more than just beautiful landscapes and pubs. Get yourself involved in its history and its culture.

Take a guided tour to the Kilmainham Jail and discover the beginning of the independence movement and the spirit of those men that gave their lives for a better Ireland. And if you want to know the real Irish spirit, you must go to a hurling game. Although is a tough game on the pitch (and sometimes you think they are going to kill each other) the supporters of both teams stands beside each other proudly wearing the colours of their teams. It doesn’t matter who wins, they will congratulate each other and they will end sharing a pint in honour of the game.

Satsuki Kobayashi

I have visited many places in Ireland. Kilkenny is the most beautiI like Dublin and Ireland very much. ful place I have seen and I would Even though the sky is not always blue definitely recommend this place to and the sun is very shy to come out my friends. here often the people are the true sun of Dublin and Ireland. It is great to I visited Kilkenny in late spring on just chat to Irish people; everyone is a bus tour; it is a very cheap way open and up for chat at anytime. My to travel. The tour guide is very favourite thing in Dublin is the civil detailed with the local history and society activity. I teach Swahili with Irish history in general. If you are the Dublin Swahili Institute, and it’s new to Ireland, this would be a good wonderful that many Irish people who means of transport and a good introare planning to go to East Africa (Tan- duction to the culture and history. zania, Kenya,Uganda, Eastern part of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi) come When I was in Kilkenny, I noticed to learn to speak Swahili with the inthat the place was very quiet and the stitute. I have promised to learn Irish surroundings were very nice. The population is low and there are not myself and I am going to get started so many cars around, which meant soon, through a language exchange we could walk freely to explore. with an Irish person who wants to In Kilkenny there is a local brand learn Swahili. beer which is very similar in taste to Guinness but the colour is red. This beer is called Kilkenny beer.

In my free time, I spend most of it exploring the city and its culture. I have visited Dublin Castle, Jameson Distillery, and the Guinness Factory.

Age: 22 From: Japan

Age: 29 From: Korea

Dublin has a really rich history. The view from the Gravity Bar overlooks the all city and gives an amazing panoramic of Dublin. The entrance fee for the Guinness factory is 15 Euros; this includes the tour and a free pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar. The oldest pub in Dublin is The Brazen

Head. This pub serves traditional Irish food at a reasonable price. Every night they have live music and on Sunday they have an extended Irish folk song session between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. The music is not great, but you will have to see it for yourself to judge.

I would like to highly recommend the Guinness Factory as a place to visit in Dublin for the best pint of Guinness in Dublin.

yeah 11

Near FM Intercultural Project By: Grace Wilentz

Near FM are currently looking to assemble a vibrant team of Irish and non-EU nationals to take part in its intercultural radio project aimed at increasing integration and intercultural understanding in our community.

As part of the initiative, a group of Irish and non-EU participants will complete a FETAC Level 4 course in Community Radio and form a production team to produce a series of 13 radio programmes for Near FM’s weekly intercultural radio show: Culture Shots.

Since the start of the project, 26 participants hailing from 15 different countries have gained valuable skills in digital media. The FETAC course covers all aspects of station operation, and is supplemented with modules on media literacy, or in other words, understanding how media impacts our world view. Training is aimed at preparing participants to be able to confidently present, produce, research, sound engineer, edit and podcast their own programmes for Culture Shots.

Culture Shots is a vibrant intercultural radio series made by a diverse team of people from Ireland and beyond the EU. Through conversations, stories, interviews and music, Culture Shots examines the meaning of culture and what begins when people from different

yeah 12

cultures meet and start communicating.

Culture Shots is broadcast every Monday from 6.30 – 7 pm on Near FM (90.3 MHz). Taking inspiration from the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, Culture Shots aims to increase integration and promote better intercultural understanding.

Culture Shots is made as part of the Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project, which is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund and is supported by the Office for Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality and Pobal.

To ensure barrier-free access, the course is free of charge. Some childcare, travel and meal costs can also be reimbursed. Anyone interested in talking part should contact Grace, the Near Media Co-op’s Intercultural Coordinator at grace@near.ie or on 01 848 5211 before August 15th 2012. To learn more about the project, just log on to www.nearintercultural.ie.

To listen to Culture Shots programmes, check out: www.nearpodcast.org/CultureShots!

For further information please contact: Grace Wilentz on 01 8485211 or at grace@near.ie www.nearfm.ie Dublin - Ireland

Overview of Project at a Glance The Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project seeks to increase integration and intercultural understanding in society at local and community levels through the promotion of communication and cooperation between host (Irish) and third country (non-EU) nationals.

The project seeks to achieve this by: • Offering two FETAC level 4 accredited training courses in Community Radio alongside a certified training course in Intercultural Media Literacy, and further specialised training in digital editing and podcasting, supported by a mentoring structure, for third country and host country nationals every year during the duration of the project • Facilitating the creation of four intercultural production teams that will produce 13 weeks of intercultural programming each, for the duration of the project.

• Encouraging intercultural dialogue at all organisational levels by promoting the participation of third country nationals into the procedural, social and broadcasting activities of the Near Media Co-op for the duration and after the conclusion of the project • Providing English language support and training for any participant who might require it for the duration of the project

yeah 13

in focus Ireland Signs Deal to Accept Brazil’s Third-Level Students.

Enterprise Ireland

During his visit to the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan TD, on 20th and 21st June, signed agreements with the two Brazilian agencies overseeing a major third level scholarship programme, under which between 1,100 and 2,000 Brazilian students will study at Irish universities and institutes of technology over the next four years.

The agreement is part of a major Brazilian scholarship scheme, Science without Borders (Ciência sem Fronteiras), under which 100,000 Brazilians will study abroad over the next four years.

Against the background of Brazil’s solid economic expansion over the last twelve years, during which Brazil has grown to become the sixth largest economy in the world, with a GDP approaching US$2.5 trillion, capacity gaps have begun to appear in the Brazilian workforce and the scheme, announced

by President Dilma Rousseff in April 2011, represents a significant effort by the Brazilian authorities to close that gap.

Already the United States (12,000 scholars) as well as Germany, the UK, France, Italy (10,000 each) have signed similar agreements and, in the last month or so, Canada, Korea, the Netherlands Australia and Belgium signed also.

In terms of fees and expenditure on living expenses, the value of the agreements to Ireland is calculated at between €20 and €30 million over the four years.

The emphasis of the scheme is on education in science and technology and the universities and institutes of technology have worked to ensure the courses they offer are a fit for the needs on the Brazilian side.

It is hoped the first scholars will begin arriving in the autumn.

more info : www.educationireland.ie

Minister Hogan (pictured, right) signed agreements that will see 1,500 Brazilians study in Ireland

yeah 14

photography by Enterprise Ireland y & Adilson Gandia Junior

The agreements follow a negotiating process in which, acting on behalf of the Irish third level institutions, the Irish Embassy in Brasília and Enterprise Ireland in Dublin, in talks with CAPES, an agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Education, and CNPq, an agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, agreed terms for the acceptance of the scholars.

By Tara Smith

ICOS (Irish Council for International Students) is an independent, non-profit organisation that advocates for the rights of international students in Ireland, whether it's for those studying higher education or furthering their education in various settings such as language schools. In an interview with its director, Shelia Power, Yeah! Magazine asked her various questions about the organization's goals and how it benefits international students coming to study in Ireland.

Tara Smith: What is ICOS’ main purpose?

students and to enhance the quality of their experience. We are keen to see the early introduction of the ‘Quality Mark’ promised in the government’s internationalisation strategy. This will cover academic standards as well as the wider supports and services that are essential for a positive overall experience for international students. We also regularly engage with relevant authorities on visa and immigration issues as well as on students’ rights to work in Ireland, both during study and post-graduation.

ICOS works with its higher education member institutions by proSheila Power: ICOS is an indepenviding learning and networking dent, non-profit organisation that opportunities for staff involved in advocates for the rights of intersupporting or teaching international national students in Ireland. We students. These include an Anhave over 30 institutional members nual Seminar and a suite of training and provide a national platform for courses in the area of cross-cultural analysis, representation, shared awareness and communication learning, and quality promotion in skills aimed at a broad range of international education. This area is college staff members who engage becoming increasingly important be- with international students on cause the government is committed a regular basis. to doubling the number international students in Irish higher educaTS: How does your organization tion institutions to 50,000 by 2015. benefit international college stuICOS’s main focus and only interest dents? in terms of international students only resides with those who choose SP: ICOS offers opportunities for the Ireland as a study destination. diverse voices of international students to be heard. Working with the TS: What are your organization’s Union of Students in Ireland (USI), goals?

ICOS organizes regular regional international students’ forums where SP: At a national level, ICOS is international students can network represented on the Government’s and discuss the issues which are High Level Group, which supports affecting them. The most recent and gives advice on Ireland’s Inter- forum was held in University Colnational Education Strategy 2010lege Cork in February. The Forums 2015, “Investing in Global Relation- are supported by the Department of ships.” ICOS particularly concerns Education and Skills. Students are itself with measures and initiatives also welcomed to approach ICOS to designed to protect international highlight individual problems which

Info:

Sheila Power, Director Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) 41 Morehampton Road Donnybrook Dublin 4 www.icosirl.ie spower@icosirl.ie Tel: (01) 6605233

yeah 15

in focus

Australia

Ireland

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Christopher Evans attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Education Minister’s Meeting (EMM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 5 July 2012. DIISRTE’s Associate Secretary, Robert Griew accompanied the Minister and was supported by staff from national office and post.

Dublin City University

The meeting was attended by Education Ministers from ASEAN Member States, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand, with Russia and the United States attending for the first time following their entry to the EAS in November 2011.

The EAS EMM and the preceding EAS Senior Official Meeting of Education on July 3rd also provided an opportunity for Australia to engage directly at the highest level with 7 of its top 10 international enrolment source countries.

ITALY One of Italy’s leading higher education institutions, Politecnico di Milano, has announced that it will teach most of its degree courses in English from 2014.

Dropping local language in favour of Englishmedium instruction is a trend that has swept across universities in northern Europe as part of a strategy to internationalise campuses and attract foreign students.

Politecnico di Milano, which is a leading centre for science, engineering and architecture, is one of the first universities in Italy to follow the trend.

“We strongly believe that our classes should be international classes and the only way to have international classes is to use the English language,” Giovanni Azzone, the university’s rector told the BBC. “Universities are in a more competitive world. If you want to stay with the other global universities, you have no other choice,” said Azzone.

TAIWAN

English language teachers in Taiwan are unlikely to feel under too much threat from a robot programmed to teach English to young learners, which was unveiled at a computer-assisted language learning conference last month.

With a large, doll-like head and movable arms, the machine is designed to provide interactive speaking practice. Vivian Wu, one of the robot’s designers and an associate professor of English language at Province University in Taichung, said the robot is intended to create a less stressful and more fun environment for students.

yeah 16

DCU partners with Bank of Ireland to offer student loans

DCU has announced the launch of a loan scheme for undergraduate students to cover the cost of annual Student Contribution Charge, currently €2,250. The loans, to be provided in conjunction with Bank of Ireland, will be made available to the parents or guardians of undergraduate students over a period of up to eight years. A discounted variable interest rate (currently 5.1%) will be charged for the duration of the course and at a graduate variable rate of interest (currently 9.7%) for the remainder of the loan after students complete their studies. Repayments will be at the rate of €100 per month.

Announcing the scheme, Ciaran McGivern, DCU Director of Finance, said, “In the current economic environment, the payment of the increasing student contribution presents a significant challenge for many students and their families. We are delighted to launch this product with Bank of Ireland in support of our students. This product will help to make the financial burden more

affordable by spreading the payment over an extended period of time, with more manageable repayment amounts and reduced interest rates.”

Commenting on the initiative, Gabriel Bannigan, Regional Manager, Bank of Ireland, said, “Bank of Ireland is proud to be able to deliver meaningful products and services to Ireland’s students and graduates. We are very conscious that in the current economic climate Ireland’s future generation of employees need initiatives such as this to enable them upskill for a changed environment. We look forward to working with DCU to provide finance to enhance their skills and their prospects for their future careers”.

Paul Doherty, President of DCU Students’ Union welcomed the new initiative, “I am delighted at this announcement of a DCU Student Loan Scheme.

Any support offered to students in relation to this scheme will be of great assistance and I hope it will help ease the financial strain on many students and their families.”

Belfast & Giant’s Causeway One day trip

Highlights:

Belfast city

The Rope Bridge

The Giant’s Causeway

Meet students from other countries on this amazing tour Price includes: ·Qualified Driver/Guide on coaches ·Free professional photos with

trip highlights

Dunluce Castle

€

3o5nly

31

st

aug

·Information pack including itinerary

-Free tshirt for the 10 first reservations

Reserve your seat: Ricardo : 086 3367879 trips@yeah.ie Departure: 8.00am from St. Stephens Green Park Return: About 9.00pm in Dublin

Trips

irish awareness University City Dublin, (UCD) Imagine Science Film Festival 2012

By Tara Smith and Miren Maialen

O

n 12 July in Dún Laoghaire, the documentary, Planet Ocean, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot was featured in a select screening as a part of the Dublin City of Science 2012 Festival and Tara’s Back events’ program. After the film, the floor was opened to a round-table discussion, featuring Michael Pitiot, Dr. Eric Karsenti, and Dr. Emmanuel G. Reynaud, of the implications of the documentary and the team’s next step.

The film was moving and well-produced, givin viewers a better understand of the workings of natural sciences. The images were breathtaking, accompanying the overall message beautifully. The main point of the documentary was to showcase how the ocean belongs to us, is a part of our society. Because the ocean belongs to us, it means we need to take care of it and realize it is a give-and-take relationship. In an interview with ArthusBertrand, he states that “we have a greater impact on Earth” than we know, that “we over consume and are

yeah 18

depleting the Earth’s resources.” There is also evidence that climate change is a reality in Ireland and around the world, thus creating, as a consequence, the warming of the atmosphere and oceans. Therefore, this has an impact on the distribution and abundance of marine life, plankton, and fish.

Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, the Vice-President for Research at UCD President’s office, added that films like Planet Ocean help people to understand climate change and how science can address the challenges associated with it. Now that we have seen and understand at least a small part, of our impact on the Earth, we can now work on improving our relationship with the ocean and help to sustain it and its resources. What better way than to reach out to the younger generations, especially those of college-age and about to step out into the real world, to make them aware of the issue and help them become passionate about improving the situation?

During the round-table discussion afterwards, the question of the

next step was raising. Pitiot, Karsenti, and Reynaud stated that their team wasn’t involved with mass-media marketing, and while the documentary is of an excellent quality, so far reached a limited audience.

Back to the interview with ArthusBertrand, he embellished on the film being distributed in an interesting, out-of-the-box fashion: being available world-wide, free-of-charge, and instantly on YouTube. He felt that having the documentary freely assessable was an intriguing and wonderfully-ambitious idea, one which our staff at Yeah!

Magazine are inclined to agree with.

However, we feel this documentary would benefit from being publicized further and discussed outside the social circles connected to the Planet Ocean team. We are hoping that our mention of this documentary to our readers will help spread the word and open other sectors of society to the message being transmitted by ArthusBertrand and Pitiot are sending in their documentary.

There was also a call-to-action stressed in the discussion, and the urgent need for marine reserves and for participants to become active in the pursuit of improving our relationship with our oceans.

If you are interested in learning more about Planet Ocean, please visit : www.homethemovie.org/en, where the interview with ArthusBertrand and the link to the full documentary can be found.

Please also go to www.protectplanetocean.org

Left, ( UCD) Professor Desmond Fitzgerald & Film Producer Éamon de Buitléar. Michael Pitiot Planet’s Ocean director & Raffael Abarca, Yeah! director.

yeah 19

Trinity College Dublin International Study Centre International Foundation Year

Now accepting applications for September 2012

Entry from IELTS 5.0 or equivalent Guaranteed progression to a wide range of degrees including BBS Business, BA Political Science, BSc Pharmacy and more

❱ 420 years old, Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university ❱ Ranked 65th in the QS World University Rankings 2011, and 117th in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2012 ❱ Beautiful campus in the heart of Dublin Programme starts on 17th September, 2012. For more information or to make an enquiry, visit www.tcd.ie/isc or call a Student Enrolment Advisor on +44 (0)1273 339333.

Trinity University Dublin International Study Centre, 19-20 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

www.tcd.ie/isc 14619_07.12

14619 Trinity College Dublin ISC ad A4.indd 1

06/08/2012 15:03

FORMING GLOBAL MINDS

University College Dublin International Study Centre International Foundation Year Pre-Masters Programme Progression to a wide range of degree programmes including Business, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics and more Entry from IELTS 5.0 or equivalent

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2012 Top 1% world university* Ireland’s largest and most international university More than 5,000 international students from 122 countries 25% international staff Located in Dublin, Ireland’s capital *Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011

Programmes start on 17th September 2012.

For more information or to make an enquiry, visit www.ucd.ie/isc or call a Student Enrolment Advisor on +44 (0)1273 339333.

www.ucd.ie/isc

UCD International Study Centre, 19-20 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland 14619_07.12

14619 UCD ISC ad A4.indd 1

06/08/2012 15:04

campus

WIT The Institute has a multi-campus structure with five sites clustered within a three kilometre radius of the main campus: Main Campus on the Cork road, Applied Technology Campus in the industrial estate off Brown’s Road),College Street Campus’ Carriganore Campus.

The Institute has developed an attractive modern university-level campus environment for staff and students at its main campus, the College Street campus, the Applied Technology campus and the new Architecture building in Waterford Treasures in the heart of the city.

A large additional campus at Carriganore, just outside the city, has already had significant development and provides an asset base suitable for future development. It is a base for our research activities, particularly in the ICT area, as well as some corporate services and sports facilities.

yeah 22

The Tourism & Leisure Building

WIT’s Sports Campus at Carriganore recently received a significant boast with the announcement of a €10.5 million multi-purpose sports arena to be developed on the campus.

Over the past 10 years, €150 million has been successfully invested in capital projects including Luke Wadding Library, Walton ICT building, Gallery Restaurant, ArcLabs Research and Innovation Centre, Health Sciences building and the Tourism and Leisure Education building.

The Institute is resolved to continue to invest significantly in the development of these campuses as a matter of strategic importance.

The main Waterford Institute of Technology campus is located on the Cork Road approximately 3km outside the city. Following the purchase of the land in 1969, an 11,000m2 building was constructed which was supplemented by a

further 7,000m2 in 1977 to meet the growing needs of the Institute. The start of the rapid expansion and development of the facilities at the Cork Road campus began in 1999 with the construction of the library building, followed in 2003 with the opening of the Walton Information Technology building, which was referred to in the Irish Times as one of the best in Ireland, the Health Sciences building which opened in 2005 and more recently the Tourism & Leisure building which was completed in 2008.

The Walton Building is located on the Institute’s main Cork Road campus close to the award-winning Institute library, Luke Wadding Library. Named after Ernest TS Walton (the Co Waterford-born Nobel Physics Laureate) the 3,000 square metre Walton Building greatly enhances and expands the Institute’s world-class information and communications infrastructure.

The 18 large computer laboratories in the building each feature an innovative passive air movement system that helps ensure comfortable learning conditions for users.

A daylight-filled central atrium located alongside the entrance accommodates all circulation and social spaces.

The Tourism & Leisure Building occupies a landmark site at the West end of the campus and provides an architectural counterpoint to the landmark Walton Building, the Luke Wadding Library and the Health Sciences Building at the city end.

The building makes effective use of solar shading, natural ventilation and daylight and automatic light controls to minimise energy use and light and heat loss. In addition, energy efficient equipment is used throughout while the building’s concrete thermal mass helping to naturally cool it. The combination of these and other innovations removes the need for energy intensive air conditioning and provides a considerably better working environment for students and staff.

The Walton Building

The Innovation Centre is located just 10 minutes from Waterford Institute of Technology's main campus, in a magnificent woodland setting beside the River Suir.

The building accommodates the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), one of the largest information and communications technology research groups in Ireland, together with the Institute's Centre for Entrepreneurship and the South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) The goal of the ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre is to provide entrepreneurs and earlystage ventures with the support needed to achieve success in national and international markets.

The workspaces, the technical infrastructure and the atmosphere of innovation and co-operation make this a great place to do business.

yeah 23

postcard

Ring of Kerry Located in the south west of Ireland, The Ring of Kerry is a tourist route that allows the visitor to envision different landscapes along the way.

By Ricardo Lucio

yeah 24

Tourist trail in County Kerry, South-western Ireland

W

hen it comes to tourist routes, and paths, immediately remember the famous Route 66 which crosses the US from east to west. But what few know is that Ireland also has its internationally known tourist route. The Ring of Kerry, as the name suggests, is located in County Kerry, a region known for its famous mountains and lakes full of salmon and trout. The circuit Ring of Kerry starts in Killarney town and stretches for about 180 km on a path winding through the roads N70, N71 and R562. During the whole journey the traveler has the pleasure to admire the beautiful scenery shaped by a great diversity. Stunning beaches and rivers with crystal clear waters, the region also boasts some of the highest mountains in Ireland. Along with lakes and native forests, these are some of the natural attractions that the region can offer those willing to explore the natural beauty that exists.

On the way to the hotel, near the popular tourist attraction of Waterville, I had the opportunity to stop at various points nearby, where I watched the power of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rocks at the high cliff-tops above.

On arrival at the hotel, I went downstairs to enjoy the rest of the natural light that I could still see the beautiful beach that was across the street from the hotel. I then took some pictures next to the statue of the famous Charlie Chaplin, who during his life chose the city as his destination for leisure. During the month of August (25-28) the town becomes the stage of the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival.

After a day’s travelling and seeing breathtaking places, there’s nothing better than stopping at a local restaurant to satisfy my hunger and thirst.

The restaurant is frequented by locals and tourists alike and, as it was in a fishing area; the specialty of the restaurant is mainly fish and seafood.

With my hunger satisfied, I went back to my hotel, but instead of going asleep I went to enjoy myself. The hotel housed a pub where various amusements were available such as a dance floor and a pool table. The location was ideal for a chat and to meet other guests.

The next morning, after a traditional Irish breakfast, I began the second leg of my journey. The cinematic landscape provided ample opportunity for taking photos. Close to the village of Castlecove, I had the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. It has a small beach with white sand which is most impressive.

The water has a light blue color almost transparent, the only bad thing was that the lack of warmth from an absent sun.

On the second day of my tour of Ring of Kerry the highlight was Killarney National Park. The park is located in an area exceeding 10,000 hectares and is home to the famous Lakes of Killarney. The grounds of nearby Muckross House, a large stately home, have huge lawns and a botanical garden for visitors to enjoy. Built in the 19th century, the old house still keeps intact all its original furniture and a half-hour guided tour by park officials is provided to visitors.

After all these marvels the tourist doesn’t want to leave, such is the attraction of this part of Ireland. The mountain air purifies the soul and removes the stress of living in a country with a culture and climate different from ours.

All the landscapes and sites visited will stay in the memory of those who tour

this idyllic spot. So if you do not know Ring of Kerry, do not waste time, pack your bags and go there.

Ring of Kerry Info The route covers the 179 km circular road (N70, N71 and R562), starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin. Popular points include Muckross House (near Killarney), Staigue stone fort and Derrynane House, home of Daniel O’Connell. Just south of Killarney, Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and Ladies View (a panoramic viewpoint), all located within Killarney National Park, There are numerous variations to the route taking in St. Finian’s Bay and Valentia Island which the official driving ring misses (the official cycling route takes in Valentia Island).

The Ring of Kerry has much to offer in terms of attractions. As well as some fine beaches, it also offers the Gap of Dunloe, Bog Village, Derrynane House, the Skellig Experience Valentia Island, Molls Gap, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and Ross Castle.

yeah 25

Tania Ordaz

Rhythms and CultUres United Through Music

By Sylvia Bernal Ireland is a young country in a multicultural sense, if you consider the changes the country has experienced in recent years with the arrival of many different nationalities. These are people who have made Ireland their home for study or work, temporarily or permanently, and they have brought some of their culture and their roots with them.

Irish people, for their part, are increasingly more open to other cultures and interested in getting to know them better. Music forms an essential part of Irish life and is a channel through which people here relate their history and life stories. They show their pride in their roots through their traditional Celtic music, which is to be heard from the smallest pub in the most remote village to the most famous pubs in Dublin.

However, in the last few years the sound of other, more exotic rhythms have reverberated in the same streets; rhythms like salsa,

yeah 26

samba, flamenco, and forró, with new sounds continually coming to the fore and gaining popularity with the Irish public.

The streets themselves in cities, such as Dublin and Galway, are a stage for musicians of all kinds.

Strolling down Grafton Street or through Temple Bar you hear a fascinating range of sounds and rhythms – traditional music, rock, classical, and ethnic music, played by both groups and solo musicians.

These musicians, often students which many of them are completely unknown, offer their best repertoire to the public for just a few coins. They do it for fun, or sometimes in the hope of finding fame and opportunity.

For whatever reason, the music you hear in the bars and streets of Ireland is no longer just Celtic music. Irish tradition now walks hand-in-hand with cultures, languages, and rhythms from other parts of the planet. This

intercultural-era Ireland has been experiencing for the last decade and a half has given thousands of international students the opportunity to integrate into society, become part of it, and co-exist with it without abandoning their own origins.

Without having to go too far from Dublin, you come across interesting examples of this phenomenon, like the Baque Soul Band. Juliana Durães, lead singer of the group, is from Brazil and has lived in Ireland for over two years. Like many students, she came to Ireland to study English.

“About ten years ago in Brazil, I had a plan to come to Europe and play music. I knew Ireland was more open to that kind of thing, so I started off in Grafton Street.

It was a great opportunity for me to do what I dreamed of and study at the same time,” Juliana explains.

Baque Soul Band was set up in

culture Juliana Durães & Baque Soul Band

diversity that simply walking down the street is a great cultural experience. Irish people are open to those experiences and that’s one of the things I like about them – that they Tania sees Ireland as a place where truly appreciate and learn from our roots,” Tania remarks. she can settle and make her aspirations a reality, especially in the “I find that the Irish are very open area of music. “I feel that being culturally. They listen to us. For connected with music keeps me me, it’s a great opportunity and happy and that I can transmit source of satisfaction to be here, as that energy through my voice and it’s a place where I can meet people through different types of music. and musicians from so many differI like boleros, for example, but I ent countries,” Juliana adds. can also see myself singing salsa and some good meringue – and who knows if the next day I might Tania, Juliana, and her group, transform them by adding in some Baque Soul Band, are just some of those who have found in IreCeltic music.” land the opportunity to do what Another case in point is Tania Clearly then, Ireland is opening its they truly enjoy and find exciting, Ordaz, who took part in the 2011 doors to new sounds and rhythms, expressing their own identity while Dublin Latin Festival, both as and a diversity of cultures is being furthering their selves academipresenter and performer singing united through music. The public’s cally. at the National Concert Hall. She enthusiasm encourages the musiis a Latin American who came to Music is truly a force that unites Ireland from Venezuela seven years cians and they in turn perform at cultures, reducing distances beago to study English and Business. their best. tween people and eliminating One of her greatest passions is music, and she hopes to create a Latin “So many countries are represented frontiers.

Photofraphy By: Monika Foltman & Carla Romao here these days; there is so much music band in Ireland.

Dublin in 2010 and has built up a following over the last two years, playing in pubs and clubs in Dublin to both Brazilian and Irish audiences. An interesting thing about the group is that its members are of different nationalities, with musicians from Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Ireland. They bring together their previous experience and musical influences to produce an interesting mix of rhythms like funk, soul, samba, and hip-hop.

“We created the band step by step – first there were two of us, then four, and now six: two Irish people, one Mexican, one Venezuelan, and two Brazilians,” Juliana recounts.

“A group of friends and I are thinking of starting a new Latin music group here; we are discussing the project at the moment,” Tania says.

yeah 27

Labour Market Issues Relating to 2005 EU Accession Treaty

Published by: Department of Jobs, Enterprise and innovation publication.

The Treaties that govern Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the EU in 2007 provided for a 7-year transition period before nationals of those countries have full access to the labour markets of other Member States. This was broken down into an optional 2-year transition period that could be extended by 3 years and a further 2 years in the event of serious disturbances to the labour market.

In 2003 some 3,600 permits were sought from nationals of both countries, declining to just over 500 applications in 2011.

In addition it has also been observed, through the examination of PPSN numbers that the demand from Bulgarian and Romanian nationals has collapsed and the percentage of PPSN numbers ever activated in Ireland is low.

The population of Romanians and Bulgarians living in Ireland is estimated to have fallen by approximately 3,000 between 2008 and 2011. Arising from this review, it has become clear that the basis for the continuation of restrictions on access to the labour market for remaining categories of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals is questionable.

There has been a gradual relaxation of the rules applying in Ireland to workers from Bulgaria and Romania. Currently, certain categories of workers from these countries already have access to the Irish labour market, including self-employed, students, and those that are self-sufficient. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals already have rights to come and live in Ireland. Outside of those categories, in recent years an annual average of less than 450 work permit applications from Bulgarian and Romanian nationals As such, the Government has decided have been received, of which an average of 350 were immediately to bring forward the transition granted annually. date for access to the labour market for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.

Under the current system, all restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian access to the Irish labour A number of factors are noted by Government, market are scheduled to expire automatically on including: a review by Government which 1st January 2014, after which date Bulgarian and looked at studies conducted by the Commission Romanian nationals as EU citizens will have full and Forfรกs which concluded that subsequent to access to the labour markets of all 27 member states. this decision the likely outlook remains for a flat or even a marginal decline in the number In December last, the EU Commission communicated of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals seeking to Ireland that transitional arrangements are a to work in Ireland; Bulgarian and Romanian preparatory phase allowing Member States to prepare nationals already have considerable rights of gradually for the full application of EU law on free access to the Irish labour market, in particular movement of workers and invited Ireland to work students, and self-sufficient/self-employed actively towards the eventual opening of its labour people; the population of such nationals market to Bulgarian and Romanian workers and in Ireland is estimated to have dropped by regularly assess the situation of its labour market approximately 3,000 over the last three years; and reconsider whether it is necessary to maintain full and unrestricted access to the Irish labour restrictions at all. The EU Commission cited the market for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals experience of previous enlargements of the EU where will have to be provided in 17 months in any it was shown that migration from the Member States event, under the Treaties of Accession; only 9 that newly joined the EU did not lead to disturbances of the 27 other EU Member States currently of the labour markets of the receiving countries. retain restrictions of any sort on access to their labour markets by Bulgarian and Romanian The Government has undertaken a review of policy in nationals with Italy and the Czech Republic the area and an assessment of the possible impact of having removed restrictions from 1st January removing restrictions on the labour market in light of last; legal advice received on the feasibility analysis and recent data. The review identified a clear of continuing transitional arrangements; pattern of work permit applications from the countries arguments presented to the Government under discussion that follows closely economic by the EU Commission and the Bulgarian circumstances and prospects of employment. and Romanian governments for removing restrictions; and the importance of sustaining From a peak in 2003 the numbers seeking to come and maintaining positive relations with the EU and work in Ireland from Bulgaria and Romania has Commission and other member states at a time collapsed from 2007 onwards. of political and economic flux in the European Union.

yeah 28

entertainment SPARKLE Next Showing: October 2012 Set in the 1960s, three sisters form girl group and soon become Motown sensations, but fame becomes a challenge as the closeknit family begins to fall apart.

Starring: Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Omari, Whitney Houston, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Hardwick and Cee-Lo

CONCERT

EXHIBITIONS

PHOTO-IRELAND 2012 3rd Dublin Latin Festival Paul Kelly, Landless in Chaco O’Breskey – The inspiration behind the music of Riverdance. Irish Aid Centre.

Latin music mixed with an Irish traditional style, topped off with some unmissable dancing. That’s what Antonio O’Breskey brought with him when he played Dublin’s prestigious National Concert Hall (NCH) recently. Special guests performed alongside O’Breskey, : Paulo Bragança (Portugal); Consuelo Nerea & Davide Viterbo (Italy); Tony Byrne & Joe Mc Hugh,F & Phelim Drew (Ireland); Juan Jose Manzano & flamenco dancer Rocio Fernandez (Spain) and Tango Fiesta dancers(Argentina). features Irish dancers as well.

The second largest forest reserve in South America after the Amazon and covering parts of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia is the victim of rapid deforestation. Earlier this year with the help of Irish Aid, photographer Paul Kelly and journalist Fionuala Cregan, Fionuala Cregan is a freelanced journalist currently based in Argentina.Fionuala has worked for various international organizations including the UN also Global Call to Action Against Poverty providing communications support,Dates: until 29th Aug, Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10am5pm Irish Aid Info Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell, Dublin 1

WORKSHOP

Which Course Expo 2012 RDS,Dublin.

Which Course Expo 2012, the fifth annual instalment of Ireland’s only exhibition dedicated to adult education and training, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th, at the RDS Serpentine Hall in Dublin.

Looking for a part time or evening course? From make-up to management, finance to sound engineering, Which Course Expo 2012 will feature hundreds of courses to satisfy every interest and ambition.

Where: RDS, free admission.

When: 25-26 Aug.

yeah 29

careers

Generating Career Prospects.

By: Niall McGuinness

” I have always wanted to be a journalist and through this project I am fulfilling that dream.”

These are the words of Evans Shirihuru, a participant in the Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project at Near FM. The initiative brings together Irish nationals and migrants from beyond the EU to work together towards building skills and working collaboratively on an original series of radio programmes.

The first step is to complete a FETAC Level 4 course in Community Radio. Participants also earn a certificate in intercultural media literacy, which equips trainees with the ability to analyse and create media from an intercultural perspective.

Since the start of the project, 24 individuals from more than 5 continents have gained valuable skills in digital media.

After training, the group goes on to present, produce and edit an original series of radio programmes for Near FM’s weekly intercultural show: Culture Shots.

Grace Wilentz, the Intercultural Coordinator at Near FM adds that, “Being a part of this project presents an opportunity not only to gain accreditation, but to get real broadcast work experience.”

“Those who’ve joined the project come from different walks of life and absolutely no experience in radio or related fields is required.

The initiative is for those who want to develop valuable skills and meet people from a variety of cultures. But even more so, it’s for those who have something they want to express.

Culture Shots is a great way to share your voice and perspective with the wider public.”

The Intercultural project will be recruiting again in the autumn. To find out more about how you can get involved, visit www.nearintercultural.ie

yeah 30

YEAH! spoke to an international student who participated in Near FM’s Intercultural project to find out about her experiences.

Mariaam Bhatti YEAH!: Where are you from originally?

Mariaam: I’m South African YEAH!: What are you studying?

Mariaam: I just completed a FETAC 5 in Childcare Studies and through the Intercultural Project, my FETAC 4 in Community Radio and Intercultural Media Awareness. I have just been accepted to NUI Maynooth’s 3 year BA in Community and Youth work starting in September 2012.

YEAH!: What did you enjoy most about the course and making the series?

Mariaam: Doing the Radio Course was an experience that I never dreamed of. I always knew of people on Radio who were very privileged, who had gone to the best schools, so being an African person from a disadvantaged background and finding myself given the opportunity to amplify my voice was an amazing experience.

I also enjoyed working and getting along with people from different backgrounds. It was brilliant to see us all coming to an understanding of the topics we were exploring through our radio shows and then sharing responsibilities for getting the work done, all with great respect for one another. Having Near FM and our amazing Intercultural Coordinator Grace to support us in everything we did was like icing on the cake.

Intercultural Project Factfile: • No costs for participants • For Irish and non-EU nationals • Based in Coolock, Dublin 17 • Next course begins this autumn • Listen to podcasts of the show -> nearpodcast.org/cultureshots

Evans Shirihuru YEAH!: What show are you most proud of?

Mariaam: It’s really hard to pick a favourite show because they were all so brilliant but I personally most enjoyed doing an interview in Geneva at a conference on Migration, Development and Human Rights.

YEAH!: Has being a part of the project helped you to get to know more people and get more involved in Irish life?

Mariaam: The course definitely helped me to know more about other people’s cultures; it helped me learn a lot about Ireland and to discover the similarities between the challenges Irish women have faced throughout history and the challenges women face where I come from.

YEAH!: Did taking part in the course lead to any new opportunities for you?

Mariaam: It also helped me make friends and to speed up my integration process. It helped me meet a lot of people and organisations through the interviews I conducted. I was also able to build a network of interesting and caring people.

YEAH!: Did the project complement what you came to Ireland to study?

Mariaam: I’m going to be studying Community and Youth Work in September so this community radio course was a perfect match and foundation for my future studies.

Mariaam Bhatti & Tina at Near FM

Evans Shirihuru YEAH!: Where are you from originally?

Evans: I am originally from Zimbabwe.

YEAH!: What are you studying?

Evans: I’m studying for my certificate in Financial Services. My passion in life is journalism. Several years ago I was studying journalism with the support of Saint Vincent DePaul, but when the recession started the scholarship funding ran out and I had to put my studies on hold. I’m always looking for ways to continue my skills development as a journalist, and that’s what led me to Near FM’s Intercultural Project.

YEAH!: What did you enjoy most about the course and making the series?

Evans: I enjoyed the practical part, which was actually making the radio series. Many courses are theory oriented whereas this one was practical. I also enjoyed meeting and interacting with people from different cultures.

YEAH!: What show are you most proud of?

Evans: My favourite programme was the one we did on ‘Geek culture’. It was a lot of fun to make, but it was also interesting in that most of the programmes had defined culture in relation to ethnicity, whereas this expanded that definition.

YEAH!: Has being a part of the project helped you to get to know more people and get more involved in Irish life?

Evans: Yes it did, I have more confidence in interacting with different people from all over the world.

YEAH!: Did taking part in the course lead to any new opportunities for you?

Evans: After producing the radio series, the intercultural coordinator encouraged me to apply for a migrant political integration scheme called “Opening Power to Diversity,” which enables people from migrant backgrounds to work with and shadow public representatives for six months. I was paired with Maureen O’Sullivan TD, and working alongside her has been an absolutely amazing experience.

YEAH!: Did the project complement what you came to Ireland to study?

Evans: Being a part of the project opened doors for me, helped me to gain new skills and it instilled confidence.

I have always wanted to be a journalist and through this project I am fulfilling that dream.

yeah 31

special

Integration

and Sport in Ireland

By Chris O’Connell

T

he summer of 2012 has been a great one for sport. It has taken in the highs and (in Ireland’s case) lows of the Euros; a bumper Irish Open at Portrush; the ongoing excitement of the AllIreland Championships; and – of course – the biggest show of them all: the Olympics and Paralympics in London. All over Ireland there are people involved in organising, competing, attending or simply watching these events.

But who exactly are these people? We all know that sport has an unparalleled capacity to bring people together, but a recent report produced by The Integration Centre and the ESRI demonstrates that – in present-day Ireland – sport is failing to live up to its potential.

The results of the 2011 Annual Monitoring Report on Integration released in June of this year injected a note of sobering reality to all the summersport hoopla. In terms of

yeah 32

active participation, only 28% of non-EU nationals surveyed reported playing sport in the previous 7 days, compared to 44% of Irish nationals; and the figures for social participation (including club membership and attendance at events) present an even starker contrast: 19% of non-EU nationals versus 49% of Irish.almost certainly a lot bleaker.

What’s more, the report itself acknowledges that its own figures underestimate the problem, given that they were gathered via a telephone survey (many non-Irish nationals do not own landline phones) and limited to those aged 40 and under. The true picture of sporting participation, in other words, is almost certainly a lot bleaker.

So what does this say about international students in Ireland and their integration into Irish (sporting) life? Tosin Omiyale, a Dublin Institute of Technology graduate and athlete from Nigeria, is convinced that a lot more can and should be done

to harness the potential of sport to break down cultural barriers in this country.

Institutional failings are largely to blame for the lack of diversity in social participation in sport also, according to Ken McCue, International Officer of Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), and visiting lecturer on the FIFA Master Program at De Montfort University in England.

McCue cites the possibility of encountering racial abuse at sporting events – such as that highlighted by the recent case of Wexford Gaelic Football star Lee Chin – as a factor in discouraging attendance among non-EU nationals; and he points to the failure by Irish clubs and sporting associations to institute effective integration strategies – with the exception of the GAA, which has adopted the UEFA “Respect” initiative.

This lack of planning threatens a “sporting apartheid,” McCue claims.

“Sport is a vehicle for integration, But to achieve

that it has to be well-planned.

You can’t expect it to just happen.”

One way to help break down these barriers, McCue feels, is to engage the diaspora organisations here in sporting events. “For the Special Olympics (in 2003) support networks were put in place around the country for different national squads based on (those organisations).” On that basis – with very few athletes using Ireland as a pre-Games training base – the 2012 Olympics represent for him a “missed opportunity” to increase participation, and also raise Ireland’s profile as a multi-cultural sporting venue.

Want to Get Involved in Sport in Ireland? Some Suggestions:

Your Home Institution: Most colleges and universities have clubs and societies that recruit mainly during the first weeks of the academic year. More information is available on your institution’s website or office of student affairs.

SARI: The NGO has a register of all sporting clubs and associations nationwide, and can direct you to the nearest one to your location, whatBack to Omiyale: “Sport is a vehicle for ever the sport. To contact SARI go to www.sari.ie or call 01-8735077. integration,” she says, “But to achieve that it has to be well-planned. You can’t GAA: website www.gaa.ie, for genexpect it to just happen.” eral information, or you can contact These words are echoed by Killian the National Inclusion Officer Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre: on 01-8363222 or inclusion@gaa.

“Integration is a process. Contrary ie. Football Association of Ireland to popular belief it does not happen organically with the passing of time.

(FAI): For information on grassStructures need to be put in place by roots football, go to: government which ensure the social www.fai.ie domestic-a-grassroots. cohesion and future success of Irish html. society.”

But important progress has nonetheless been made. Pointing to the presence of athletes with backgrounds as diverse as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Americas (North and South) in London to represent Ireland, Helena Clarke, Director of Public Affairs for The Integration Centre, is keen to encourage a more inclusive approach: “The Olympics is an opportunity for people to celebrate diversity in sport, and for the Irish to get behind those have chosen to represent this country.”

Photography by Steve de Paoire

yeah 33

cover story

Spaniards make Ireland their Summer destination.

By Sergio Angulo Bujanda Dublin, a city with almost two million inhabitants, is visited in summer by about 20,000 Spaniards between 16 and 30 years old.

“It’s an estimated figure because, as in the EU there is free movement of citizens and most of them don’t register with the Embassy, it is impossible to know the exact number of Spanish people who come in summer “, say sources at the Spanish embassy in Dublin.

Why thousands of young people choose Dublin to learn English and if possible, find a job?

“They said it was easy to find employment”, “I knew a friend who was living here”, “the Irish sense of fun is much like the Spanish” are the most common responses.

Pablo Madero, 28, who arrived in Dublin two months ago, has already done five interviews in the IT sector and has not yet found employment. “I have to improve my English,” he says.

His friend, Oscar Romero, 25, has spent one year and four months working for Google. “The beginning was hard because I did not know much English, but now I’m already engaged with the language and everything is ok at job,” he says with a triumphant smile.

The presence of Spaniards around the city in summer can be easily noticed. Spanish youth groups often go everywhere together: to English classes, cultural visits, shopping and, of course, Dublin pubs.

Andrea Martín, 27, is in Dublin since last year. She lives in an apartment shared with three other Spanish and one Irish.

She is currently working in a photo shop. “Now I’m looking for a job in my area, which is Environment,” she says. “I’m attending English lessons four mornings a week, but it’s not enough if you don’t practice what you have learned with native people.”

She explains.

yeah 34

T

he worst thing about this beautiful country is the weather, but Irish people are friendly and very helpful. I’m very happy to have come to Dublin to learn English”, says Andrea while having a Guinness with her friend Brian Fahey – the lead vocalist of the popular multicultural band ´The Jaysus!´ – in a central pub in Dublin.

Where to find them?

The best place to meet Spanish and South American people is often on their own social territory at Hispanic events.

Salsa Danzon, runs classes on Tuesdays at Parliament St (Turk´s Head Pub) from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and every Thursday at Harrington Street, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and a salsa club after the classes till 12.00am. Organiser Hilary Clarke says about half the participants are Spanish and Italian people, but also many South Americans. More information at www.danzon.ie Instituto Cervantes, near the National Gallery, promotes Spanish and Latin American culture. There’s a diverse range of free cultural events including concerts, exhibitions and literary talks that run all year round and are open to the general public.

Chief Librarian, David Carrión, says there’s a fair amount of romantic cross-cultural interaction. “We have a couple of notice boards. These enable people to arrange intercambios (informal language exchange meetings, usually one-to-one) which is a great way of meeting people; a lot of people who are staging Spanish cultural events put their information up; and Spanish parties are advertised on the boards.”

More details from http://dublin.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm Every Tuesday at 6pm at the Central Library in the ILAC Centre, there is a Spanish/ English language exchange.

yeah 35

bit of craic

Dublin Latin Festival 2012 took over the National Concert Hall in Dublin A night of Latin ‘n’ Irish with Antoni O’Breskey

By Ian Callagy Latin music mixed with an Irish traditional style, topped off with some unmissable dancing. That’s what Antonio O’Breskey brought with him when he played Dublin’s prestigious National Concert Hall (NCH) recently. Men, as the saying goes, don’t always know what to do with their hands. Not so with O’Breskey, who demonstrated what an excellent virtuoso he is on the piano. Tickling the ivory, he was accompanied by what can only be described as a superb bunch of musicians.

The Italian-born piano extraordinaire clearly loves Ireland.

This may be why he changed his surname from Breshi to the more Irish sounding O’Breskey. On perhaps a sad note, the absence of one of Ireland’s favourite sons, Ronnie Drew, was acknowledged on the night. The famous singer died a couple of years ago and his son Phelim performed a duet with O’Breskey, on piano, remembering the popular former singer with The Dubliners. It was a poignant moment.

But this was not a concert of funereal sobriety, rather a testament to how wonderful it is when differing cultures combine.

Few gigs could juxtapose Spanish ( Rocio Fernandez, & guitar virtuosi Juan Jose Manzano), tango (Tango Fiesta)and Irish dancing. At one point a choir from Allience Francaise appeared on stage which added to this interesting mix. Rocio Fernandez Spanish dancer, fully equipped with castanets, showed off how good she was at threading the boards whilst the musicians continued to pump out some fabulous sounds.

Instruments including the Uilleann pipes, cello and bodhran, along with O’Breskey’s lilting piano, continued to fascinate as the performance continued.

By evening’s end the audience at the NCH were on their feet, full of praise for this cultural abundance . O’Breskey has a pleasant demeanour on stage and will make the job of selling his new album, ‘Sail On’, a much easier task on the basis of this performance. It was an opportunity for all those who attended to relax in a highly civilised manner. The star of the night was masterful on the piano, an instrument capable of bringing all sorts of emotions out of people and it was a real pleasure to hear just how good the bearded maestro is. O’Breskey pushes musical and cultural boundaries with considerable ease. An unforgettable celebration produced by Raffael Abarca director of Dublin Latin Festival with support of DMP, Yeah! events.

yeah 36

Photography: Alex Oliveira

yeah 37

Network

yeah 38

Photography: W. Massafelli

Certificate in Photography NCBA intake April/May 2012 Next

accredited by

Use the camera and accessories to create images

Modules covered include specialist subject areas such as lighting, exposure, landscape, still life, portraiture, film, darkroom skills and digital editing.

Understand and apply image production skills

Student skills are advanced through the study of medium and large format cameras, Studio & location lighting for Fashion, Product, Wedding & PR. Digital workflow & image processing through Adobe Photoshop & Light-room, Desk top publishing with Adobe in design, Portfolio preparation & History of photography.

Produce and evaluate a range of photographic images.

This course offers a challenging mix of camera, lighting & software skills and is taught through involved group practice, practical handouts and a final personal project based on documentary, still life or fashion.

National College Of Business Administration 7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2 - Dublin, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 485 2790

email: info@ncba.ie

facebook: fb.com/ncba.ireland

web: www.ncba.ie

twitter: twitter.com/ncbadublin

Modern Studio Apple iMac Computers Full Photography Lab and Nikon DSLR Camera's