Oranmore pupils interested in taking part in a Spanish student exchange programme are being urged to contact local Fine Gael politician Senator Fidelma Healy Eames.
The first student exchange between pupils in the greater Oranmore area and those in towns O’Carballiño-Boborás in Galicia, Spain will take place in the academic year 2013-14.
Twenty Irish pupils, between the ages of 13 and 15, will spend a week with a host family in Spain as part of the first phase of the project.
Spanish pupils will pay a return visit in June 2014. Activities during the visit will include language teaching, sport, recreational and cultural activities.
“We are currently gathering names of students,” says the Oranmore senator. “Those interested should contact me as soon as possible. These exchanges develop solidarity and promote European co-operation in the youth field and this is an excellent opportunity for pupils in the Oranmore area.”
Student exchanges are a key part of successful twinning, she outlined. “They promote young people’s active citizenship, in general and their European citizenship in particular. Improving their language skills is a key goal, equally, friendships are formed fostering mutual understanding and tolerance between young people of different cultures.”
