Clara Walsh
I would like to firstly thank everyone who made this trip possible for all of us students. Our supervisors were so warming and welcome and had everything organised perfectly. I was so nervous going on this trip at first but I soon realised how lovely everyone was and before I knew it, I was so comfortable with everyone.
The trip began very early, as we were required to arrive at the airport at 4:00 a.m. Despite the tiredness, this gave all of us plenty of time to get to know one another. What surprised me most was how quickly everyone became comfortable — friendships formed almost instantly, making the trip much more enjoyable.
After our flight, we landed in Frankfurt Airport, where we met our bus and travelled to Colmar in France. Colmar was magical, especially because of the beautiful Christmas markets. We spent the evening exploring the stalls, tasting food, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. It was the perfect way to start the trip.
The next morning, we were up early to travel to Strasbourg for our day at the European Parliament as part of the Euroscola programme. We spent the entire day there — from morning until around 5 p.m. — taking part in discussions, debates, and workshops with students from many different countries.
Our main focus topics were cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, which were both very interesting and extremely relevant to the world we live in today. Hearing different opinions and learning how the EU institutions work gave me a new perspective on European cooperation and decision-making. It was a truly inspiring and unforgettable experience.
After returning to the hotel for a short rest, we headed back into Strasbourg in the evening, taking the tram into the city. We walked around the shops, admired the landmarks, and enjoyed the glowing Christmas lights. Strasbourg was absolutely beautiful, and this ended up being my favourite day of the entire trip.
On our final morning, we had to check out of the hotel by 10 a.m., and I made sure to enjoy my last pain au chocolate before we left France. We then travelled to Heidelberg in Germany, where we had a guided tour of the famous Heidelberg Castle. The castle was breathtaking, and the view over the town made it feel almost like a scene from a storybook.
After the tour, we explored the town, found some food, and visited even more Christmas markets, I could never get enough of them.
Finally, we travelled back to Frankfurt Airport for our flight home. Although I was tired, I felt sad that the trip was ending. What had started with nerves became one of the best experiences I have ever had.
The Euroscola trip to Strasbourg was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to learn more about Europe, meet new people, and experience new cultures. I made amazing friends and created memories that I will always cherish. I was surprised by how much I missed everyone once it was over.
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity — it was absolutely unforgettable.
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This trip for me was very educational and a great opportunity. We were given amazing teachers to come with us and the other students were also just wonderful to be with. This experience gave me new friends and a new look on politics and to have seen what it’s like in France and Germany.
James McGreal
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The trip to Strasbourg will never be forgotten it was an amazing experience. Before I went on the trip I was afraid to meet new people but this trip showed I shouldn’t have been it was an amazing opportunity to meet new people and speak to them. I wouldn’t of changed anything on this trip it truly was an unforgettable experience.
Clodagh Fitzpatrick
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Truly a life changing trip and I feel like later down the road I may look into politics more, amazing trip that engages our youth and includes them in discussions that affects them directly and gives them a voice on the matters
Milo Kilgannon
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It’s hard to capture how incredible my experience with the Euroscola programme was. From
start to finish it was an adventure. I learned about myself, my values and my beliefs but also
about the lives and experiences of other young people.
The Euroscola trip acted as a catalyst in my own social conscience, and it gave me memories
I will treasure for a lifetime. A fantastic experience that I couldn’t recommend more.
Caoilfhionn Short
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The Graduate.ie trip to the EU parliament in Strasbourg was amazing and was like nothing I have ever experienced before. The trip provided both independence and structure allowing space on the trip to explore on your own. The EU Parliament itself was like nothing I had been to before with so many young people from all over the EU.
Sadbh McDonnell
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I found the Strasbourg trip to be a very enjoyable experience that helped me step out of my comfort zone and socialise more with people outside of just Cavan. It also helped me understand more about the parliament and how certain problems within the European Union are discussed and dealt with. I also found every other aspect of the trip, such as the Christmas markets and tour of the castle very interesting.
Emma Geraghty
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I personally spoke in the parliament about how member states shouldn’t oversee laws for cybersecurity and that the European Union should implement universal laws that all member states should adhere by. Then we got to vote using the electoral machines at our desks, then a final discussion on what important topics we would discuss if we were MEPs.
I’ll be eternally grateful for all the great memories and lifelong friends I made along the way because of this magnificent trip.
Donncha O Raghallaigh
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Our three-day trip to Strasbourg was a great experience and very enjoyable.
Overall, the trip was both fun and educational. We learned a lot while also enjoying new places and experiences. It was a memorable trip that we will not forget.Millie Nà Threanlámhach
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I had such an incredible time on my trip to Strasbourg. The trip allowed me to talk to people I never would have talked to before, and come out of myself in the company of others. The teachers who went with us were so kind and caring also. I would 100% recommend this quiz on graduate.ie to anybody, even if you don’t think you have an interest.
Lucy Morris
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The Euroscola trip to Strasbourg was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to learn more about Europe, meet new people, and experience new cultures. I made amazing friends and created memories that I will always cherish. I was surprised by how much I missed everyone once it was over.
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity — it was absolutely unforgettable.
Clara Walsh
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The trip to Strasbourg and all the other locations is unforgettable and I wouldn’t have changed anything about the people I met on the trip, everyone was so lovely and it was a nice feeling knowing we were all in the same boat and it made us very close within the first day or so. Again, I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity
Kyle Earner