
Rachel McCloskey
St Olivers Community School, Drogheda, Co Louth
My name is Rachel McCloskey, and late in 2022 I got confirmed a place in Graduate.ie trip to the European Parliament in Germany. Naturally, I was delighted to be given the opportunity.
On a pitch-black morning at 2:30 am on the first of March, I found myself pulling myself out of bed in and into the car. I was on my way to Dublin airport, lugging my wheelie bag behind me for my flight to Germany. I had to admit that I was a little nervous for this trip ahead, but I was mostly overcome with the excitement I had about meeting some of the friends I had been texting online on a groupchat that I’d made for the students to get to know each other on prior to the trip.
Passport in hand and schoolbag slung over my back, I found myself chatting to people from all over the country as we walked through terminals- Finally matching names I’d known online with faces and obsessing over how anxious we were to land in Germany.
We landed in a sunny Frankfurt airport and piled onto a bus, chatting amongst ourselves through jetlag about a lovely little village we were on our way to visiting, Baden-Baden. We strolled through the bright town, eating macarons and ice-creams and enjoying the warmth in the sunlight that us Irish people find ourselves desperately to. I found myself thinking that if when I’m older and I have the freedom, I’d be wasting my time if I didn’t spend more time travelling through Europe and discovering more of the beauty it holds. Baden-Baden was a really beautiful town in Germany, and I’d really suggest any person reading this to try and see it with their own eyes one day.
Speaking of European places to visit, we were lucky enough to get to spend the evening on a walking tour around the beautiful city of Strasburg where our lovely hotel was. I learned that the town was richer in history and in beautiful architecture than I could have imagined- and that they sell pretty good churros too if you know where to look!
At the hotel we split into rooms, enjoying some time together over games of Uno or watching French dramas on the TV that we couldn’t quite understand. Something about this trip made me want to know more than the two European languages I already study in school (Spanish and Irish) and made me wish I knew how to speak German and French too.
I think that was something that really stood out to me in the beautiful European parliament when we went for our visit the next day- the number of languages spoken there. It was stunning- listening to peoples opinions and questions and suggestions about resolving gender-based inequalities in Europe, all in their own languages. There were headsets with translators for people like me who only spoke their own language, but honestly I often found myself just focusing on listening to the beauty in the languages that were spoken, the Greek and Spanish and French.
It was really interesting meeting and seeing people my age from all around Europe, and honestly, I could only wish that I had more time to get to know more of them. I spent a lot of time at the lunches with a few people I met from the Netherlands- very quickly and firmly letting them know that Ireland was in fact not a place in England, thank you very much.
Along with the people we met, I learned a lot about politics from this trip. Before this trip, I thought that politics could be sometimes boring or monotonous, like they’d be taught in a normal school setting- When really, I found it was something I really, really enjoyed. I have a huge interest in people, and I plan to pursue studies in psychology and counselling in my future- but I hadn’t realized before how much that’s what politics is about- the people.
I really enjoyed hearing peoples opinions on gender equality, how the education system in our countries might affect it. Learning the standpoints and views of all the people my age around Europe was something I found really interesting, and I often found myself wishing that I’d be able to share the experience with some of my friends back at home in Louth.
I’m forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to go on this amazing trip. It was honestly one of the best times of my life and I’ve experienced so much. I feel like this trip really changed my perception on things and made me realise that I have so much interest in things I hadn’t realised I had. I hope that many more lucky people my age will have the same opportunity I had to go on a trip as amazing as this one.
I want to say a huge thank you to Graduate.ie who helped me and my new friends around the country get to experience this amazing trip. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.
-
I loved being able to talk to people about their opinions on all of the topics we talked about in the parliament and learning about the differences between my life and others my age who are from other countries
Thanks so much for everything!Roisin Grant
Cnoc Mhuire, Granard, Co. Longford
-
I had an incredible experience on my trip to Strasbourg as part of the graduate.ie national quiz. It was truly unforgettable—I got to visit the European Parliament, learn so much about Europe, and make amazing new friends along the way. This opportunity has left me with memories I will treasure for a lifetime.
Ciarán Flynn
Summerhill College, Co. Sligo
-
As a girl from rural Ireland, opportunities like this are rare, so being selected was a true honor. Through Graduate.ie, I broadened my horizons, bolstered my self-confidence, and built meaningful connections with my fellow attendees. The experience has undoubtedly deepened my knowledge of the European Union and heightened my passion for pursuing a political
Ruth Cunningham
Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Co. Roscommon
-
It was a short visit, but I learned so much about the European Parliament in such a small amount of time, and I met amazing people from not only Ireland but from all over the EU! It was such a great experience, and I will never forget this, so I want to give a huge thank you to my sponsor and all our supervisors who made this trip possible. Thank you again!
Molly Mc Nulty
Colaiste Pobail Acla, Achill, Co. Mayo
-
While everyday was incredible in its own way, I would specifically like to note our day spent in the Parliament on Tuesday the 12th of November. It was an amazing experience, chock full of lively debates and discussions with people of many different backgrounds and cultures. It was wonderful to interact with those from other countries. We are all coming home with new friends both from Ireland and abroad.
Ava Corcoran Lyden
Colaiste Iosagain, Bóthar Stigh Lorgan, An Charraig Dhubh, Co. Dublin
-
Going to the European Parliament and getting an insight to behind the scenes was such a privilege and I am so honoured to have gotten such an opportunity!
Ava Maher
Colaiste na Sionna, Bannagher, Co. Offaly
-
Overall, the Graduate Programme is a triumph of modern co-operation, a titan amongst opportunities and a champion of education. I would recommend any student to enter, and reap the undeniable benefits.
Eoin Cashman
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, County Kerry
-
I met lots of new friends and my interest in politics as well as
Ireland’s role in the EU has certainly grown exponentially.
This was the most memorable experience and I don’t think this
won’t be my last stint in politics!Emer Cronin
St Josephs Secondary School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
-
Strasbourg trip
I was very lucky to been picked to go on the trip i got to go to and experience the european parliament in strasbourg france it give me a insight to what it would be like to work there and and be involved with politics , I met loads of new friends on this trip and i had so much fun travelling to new places with no one i knew before , i really recommend to any who gets a chance to go on this trip to go in gives you opportunities and ones that you might not get again . So I would like to say thank you to my sponsors for providing this trip .Carla Patricia McDonnell
-
As our trip was coming to an end we departed for Frankfurt airport and made our journey home. This final bus journey all together flew by as we sang songs and chatted the whole way. Although it was only a short trip it was and emotional one leaving everyone. I am forever going to be grateful for the opportunity to experience this trip as it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity!! and of course making such great friendships and memories I will cherish forever. We still all keep in touch and are making plans to meet up again in the summer.Â
Anna Keely
St. Patricks Comprehensive school, Shannon, County Clare
-
My trip to Strasbourg was truly incredible and I made so many friends that I will have for life. It was an unforgettable trip and I will treasure the memories forever!
Jennifer Grogan
Castleknock Community College, Castleknock, Dublin 15