Carlingford trip (Adventure centre)
After midterm break, TY went on a trip to Carlingford. There we were going to do adventure activities and it was an opportunity to become more independent and get along with people as we were going to spend four days with them.
On Monday morning, we arrived to Carlingford after a two hours drive and the first thing we did was to get organised and unpack our stuff. We are 20 girls in TY so we just had two rooms which was great because everyone was with everyone. The teachers split us into two groups and mine did the skylark first. It was an enjoyable activity and everybody had an amazing time, even though it could be a bit scary sometimes.
Next day we woke up very early and we did our only water sport, Canadian canoeing. It was in my opinion the worst activity out of all. It was freezing and I didn’t enjoy it at all. We were in the water for two hours and it was absolutely painful. There was a moment where I couldn’t move my toes or my hands. Despite this, the evening was really good because we did laser tag and I enjoyed it so much. I was part of the red team, and we won 4 out of 5 times. I had a great time.
We did night time activities, the first night we did the Carlingford Challenge which it was fun. The second night we went on a night walk called night line, we went up to a forest, they put a blanket around our eyes while we were holding a rope. It was very scary at the beginning but it was a marvelous trust exercise.
On Wednesday morning we did archery, aeroball and frisbee golf. I thought frisbee golf was going to be boring but now I would say that it was the best one out of the three. It sounded a bit weird but it was good craic. In the afternoon we went Ziptopia, the best thing about it were the views. They were stunning. Even though we had a great time sometimes we had to wait ages in a platform because there were too many people doing it at the same time. At night time we did murder mystery, the weather didn’t help and made it so difficult to enjoy this activity.
On our last day, the weather wasnt amazing. We were doing high ropes in the morning use we had to stand in the platforms for so long I got a cold despite the fact that I was wearing loads of clothes. In the evening we did crystal maze, which is a game with different group challenges and I really enjoyed it.
As a conclusion, these four days were amazing, I loved most of the things that we did and it was such a great bonding trip. I was sad leaving Carlingford but a bit excited to get home after those intense days. I had a lovely time and I will do it once more!!
On Monday morning, we arrived to Carlingford after a two hours drive and the first thing we did was to get organised and unpack our stuff. We are 20 girls in TY so we just had two rooms which was great because everyone was with everyone. The teachers split us into two groups and mine did the skylark first. It was an enjoyable activity and everybody had an amazing time, even though it could be a bit scary sometimes.
Next day we woke up very early and we did our only water sport, Canadian canoeing. It was in my opinion the worst activity out of all. It was freezing and I didn’t enjoy it at all. We were in the water for two hours and it was absolutely painful. There was a moment where I couldn’t move my toes or my hands. Despite this, the evening was really good because we did laser tag and I enjoyed it so much. I was part of the red team, and we won 4 out of 5 times. I had a great time.
We did night time activities, the first night we did the Carlingford Challenge which it was fun. The second night we went on a night walk called night line, we went up to a forest, they put a blanket around our eyes while we were holding a rope. It was very scary at the beginning but it was a marvelous trust exercise.
On Wednesday morning we did archery, aeroball and frisbee golf. I thought frisbee golf was going to be boring but now I would say that it was the best one out of the three. It sounded a bit weird but it was good craic. In the afternoon we went Ziptopia, the best thing about it were the views. They were stunning. Even though we had a great time sometimes we had to wait ages in a platform because there were too many people doing it at the same time. At night time we did murder mystery, the weather didn’t help and made it so difficult to enjoy this activity.
On our last day, the weather wasnt amazing. We were doing high ropes in the morning use we had to stand in the platforms for so long I got a cold despite the fact that I was wearing loads of clothes. In the evening we did crystal maze, which is a game with different group challenges and I really enjoyed it.
As a conclusion, these four days were amazing, I loved most of the things that we did and it was such a great bonding trip. I was sad leaving Carlingford but a bit excited to get home after those intense days. I had a lovely time and I will do it once more!!
Wicklow trip
On Thursday 16th of November 2017 all the international students from 1st to 5th year went on a trip through Wicklow mountains, Glendalough and the upper lake. We left school at 9 am and we went to Powerscourt gardens, in Enniskerry, we saw the gardens and we went inside the small shopping center and the cafe, which has amazing views of the backyard. After our little break we went on a trip by bus through Wicklow National Park doing different stops in gorgeous places to take some photos.
Our guide was so funny and kind, he explained everything so clear and with humor which was one of the main reasons of why the journey was enjoyable.
Around 2 pm, before having lunch we played a very famous sport in Ireland similar to hockey, and after that we went to the upper lake for lunch. Later we went on a walk through Glendalough, we saw a graveyard, a church (we sang a song in it) and a big and tall tower. I remembered that we had to hold each other’s hand around the tower and make a wish. I really enjoyed it and I will recommend this walk to everyone.
To sum up, it was such a good trip and it gives you the opportunity to know an amazing part of Ireland and the rest of the foreign students a bit better.
Camping trip
Camping is one of the activities that TY offers to the students and it was a wonderful experience for me. We went camping for two nights and I was very lucky with the girls who were in my tent. I think this trip is an amazing idea and also help international students to make lots of new friends.
On the camping trip we had to do things by ourselves, like cooking our own food or putting up the tent (which is actually more difficult than it seems). We also walked 22 km which it was fun and tiring at the same time. The weather wasn’t the best, and I have to say that in Ireland there are the 4 seasons in one day, which I found it very irritating, but more or less I’m getting used to it.
During the hike everybody was motivated as it was one element for Gaisce. We also had thee opportunity to enjoy the views.
If I have to say which was my favourite thing of the camping I will say the bonfires at night. We were all together and it was a great time to know people better . The worst thing in my opinion was sleeping in a tent because it was very uncomfortable and it was raining all the time.
To sum up, camping was a marvellous experience and I will repeat it again. I learned lots of new things about how to be more independent and it made me more mature. This was just the beginning of a year full of opportunities and this one was amazing and I will remember for a long time.