Institute Erasmus students reunite
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One of two groups of students who completed Erasmus work experience in Seville. Back (from left): Jana Miller, Fashion Design; Shane Donohoe, Art, Craft & Design; Chris Russon, Audio & Music Production; Kai McCaffrey, Professional Cookery; Cara Donohoe, Art, Craft & Design; front, Saida Kalinova, Fashion Design; Finola Keogh, Assistant Principal European Projects and Ciara Kinsella, Pre-University Primary & Post-Primary Teaching. Missing from photo: Elizabeth Pozar, Creative DIgital Media; Ellen Reilly, Beauty Therapy.PHOTOS: ADRIAN DONOHOE Adrian DonohoeImage 2 of 4
Cavan Institute teachers who participated in AI Training for Educators in Malta. Back (from left): Lynda O'Connor, Patricia Loughlin, Ciara Flynn, Mary Lynch McKenna, Cynthia Stewart, Michelle Marron, Ashlene Kinnear and Marion Duffy. Adrian DonohoeImage 3 of 4
Sharing memories of their Erasmus+ work experience in Malta, Aine Murray and Brianna McCormack (Occupational Therapy) and Kayla Fox (Nursing).Image 4 of 4
Fashion Design student Hannah Manclark talks about her Erasmus experience in Seville.Sixty-six students and 13 staff from Cavan Institute who travelled abroad for work and study under the EU Erasmus programme reunited recently at an event to celebrate their experience and achievements.
Cavan Institute received funding of over €200k from Léargas to enable students and staff to participate in the Erasmus+ programme. During February and March of this year, six groups of students travelled to Malta, Spain, Estonia and Poland, where they completed two-weeks’ work experience in local companies. In addition, a group of teachers travelled to Malta during the Easter break to participate in a training programme focused on 'Artificial Intelligence in Education'. All trips were fully funded.
The purpose of the reunion was to bring the various groups together one last time to solidify new friendships formed and to present everyone with the certificates they earned as part of the programme. In their speeches, students reflected on the experience of travelling with their peers, making new friends, living and working in a busy city, savouring the local food and drink, and experiencing local nightlife and culture. All gained valuable technical experience in their various sectors, which will enhance their career prospects.
Erasmus+ has been an integral part of the Cavan Institute offering for the last 15 years, and this year students from over 30 courses availed of this life-changing opportunity.
Commenting on the programme, Director of Cavan Institute, Dr Niall McVeigh, remarked: “Participating in Erasmus has a far-reaching and lifelong impact on students. They gain international work experience, become more resilient and self-sufficient, and develop an appreciation of other cultures, languages and travel. Many of this year’s Erasmus students were even offered jobs by their employers while on placement, and I know some are returning for work this summer.”
Finola Keogh, assistant principal with responsibility for Erasmus, acknowledged the support of the Irish national agency, Léargas, which administers the Erasmus+ programme. “Their support enables colleges like ours to offer students the opportunity to live and work abroad as part of their studies. It also allows staff to access continuous professional development, all at no cost to the organisation.”