PPLI Annual Report 2020 - Flipbook - Page 29
Mobility Opportunities (1.D.1)
Funding for School Exchanges Scheme
Action Progress
Ten schools were given funding for three years in 2018/2019 and an additional ten schools were given
funding in 2019/2020. There were plans in place for 7 Spanish exchanges, 6 French exchanges, 5 German
exchanges and 2 Japanese exchanges. In spite of the lockdown, 16 out of 20 schools were able to complete
part or all of their exchange during 2019/2020. There were 132 students involved in exchanges in January,
February and March 2020: Leitrim flew to Lyon, Kildare to Lyon, Rouen to Wicklow, Kildare to Barcelona, Louth
to Madrid, and Reims to Carlow. Four schools were not able to complete either part of their exchange due to
Covid, and two schools managed to complete both parts of their exchange before the lockdown in midMarch.
Impact
Student Feedback
“It’s a totally new
and unique experience
and it’s scary at first but
then it’s a lot of fun and
you learn so much.”
“The Spanish Exchange for me is
a chance to meet new people, make
new friends, and learn more about the
Spanish language and the culture in Spain and
how people live their lives in Spain. Also, it’s helped
me in class to learn and see how the Spanish
language is spoken and how different
verbs are used and all that sort of stuff.
It’s definitely been a really good
experience for myself.”
“I recommend to other students
to go on an exchange as it provides an
opportunity of a lifetime, where they’ll meet
new people and make new friends, they’ll have
a chance to become more independent and
learn many new life skills such as orientation
in a new area and communicating effectively.
They’ll also get a chance to see a bit of the
world outside their home countries, getting
to explore a different culture
and traditions.”
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