A group of 200 high achieving Emirati students between the ages of 16 and 17 have been selected by the Abu Dhabi Education Council to spend five weeks as cultural ambassadors for the UAE as they attend a language programme in Ireland. The students leave on 1 July, 2010, and will escape the heat of the UAE summer while perfecting their English on the Emerald Isle.
The programme is run by Intelligent Partners, with Tourism Ireland on hand to provide advice, recommendations, and tourism information for students and parents. As part of the programme, students will have one full day excursion every week, off campus activities twice per week, and visits to the mosque every Friday.
In preparation for the students' departure, Intelligent Partners held two orientation days for the students, in the HCT Al Ain Women's College 20th June, following the Aveti School in Abu Dhabi on the 19th June, where students and parents had the opportunity to ask questions and meet other students and programme guides.
Divided into four groups, the students will be split between Cork and Dublin, with two groups of 60 girls and 40 boys respectively spending the five weeks in Cork, where they will enjoy spending time in one of Europe's hippest cities with historical buildings side by side with modern art galleries and funky shops. Excursions from here will take in the sights in the South and are sure to include Blarney Castle, home to the famous Blarney Stone, which according to legend will give those who kiss it the gift of eloquence.
The remaining groups of 60 girls and 40 boys are heading to the busy capital, Dublin. Metropolitan atmosphere, easy charm and countless sights are readily available, and day trips from here can reach most parts of the country, including the gorgeous beaches and rugged landscape in Galway and Connemara, and the vertigo-inspiring Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.
All students will enjoy the temperate climate which provides an opportunity to take part in outdoor pursuits at a time of year when the temperatures at home are soaring.
Sanjeev Varma, Director of Intelligent Partners, said:
"This is the first time we have arranged a language programme from the UAE to Ireland and we are excited to see so much interest in this new destination, which fulfils all our criteria in terms of quality of education, safety and culture.
"We are very grateful to the Irish Embassy in the UAE for its support in making the arrangements in Ireland, and we are confident the students will return to the UAE with fond memories of an unforgettable experience."
Aiveen Ryan, Market Manager of Tourism Ireland, said:
"We are delighted to welcome these Emirati students to Ireland, and to show them all that Ireland has to offer. Visitors to Ireland are met with a warm welcome and the traditional friendly Irish hospitality, echoing the warm hospitality one encounters in the UAE, which should help them feel right at home. Ireland is a safe and culturally diverse country, and visitors from the Middle East will find all the services and facilities they need within easy reach."
