Ierland en Ik

The Leonardo blog has some welcome company from Janita. Janita, on placement here from the Netherlands, is blogging her own experiences on the Leonardo programme. "Ierland en Ik" (or "Ireland and Me") is documenting her experiences, from initial preparation, the first days in Ireland, first day at school, and the team's travels around Cork. Even if the Dutch language isn't your thing, Janita's photos tell their own story.

http://nita-ierland.blogspot.com/ (english translation)

Janita, keep up het goede werk. Succes!

Students Meet the Lord Mayor at City Hall

City Hall 2008

Students on the Leonardo programme in Cork attended a reception with Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Donal Counihan, at Cork City Hall this morning. The students had travelled from Denmark, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands and are currently on workplace in Cork in travel and tourism, healthcare, computer software and primary school education. The group was led by programme director Orla O'Riordan.

The students discussed their placements, their views of Ireland, and their experiences on the programme. The Lord Mayor welcomed the students to Cork, as Gaelige and in English, and talked with the group about the history of his office, the many interesting world figures he has had opportunity to meet and who have paid similar courtesy visits to his office. The Lord Mayor encouraged the students to take every opportunity to enjoy the City and its culture.

Leonardo 2008 Graduations

Leonardo Graduation 2008

Students from Beauty Therapy, Computing, CACHE & FETAC Childcare, Montessori and Travel and Tourism graduated this week from the European Leonardo Programme at the Cork College of Commerce.

The students had participated in work-placements in Finland, Italy, Germany, and Spain; working in the beauty, childcare, and tourism sectors.

Students were presented with their Europass Mobility certificates by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Shannon and Jim Mullin, Executive Director Leargas, Ted Owens, CEO of City of Cork VEC, Professor Francis Douglas, UCC, and Cllr Jim Corr, Chairman of Cork College of Commerce.

Addresses were made by Cllr Shannon, Deputy Lord Mayor, Jim Mullin, Executive Director Leargas, and Ted Owens, CEO of City of Cork VEC.

Also present were Fiona Croke from Leargas, the national body of the Leonardo Programme, Orla O’Riordan, Director of Leonardo for the Cork College of Commerce, teachers from the Leonardo Team, Course Directors, Language Teachers, and friends and family of participating students.

Photos from the Leonardo Graduations 2008 are available online.

Cork College of Commerce, Tuesday April 8th, 2008.

Dutch Students Visit the School

Leonardo Dutch 2008

Our photo gallery includes a few photos of our Dutch visitors this week. We took advantage of the rare Cork sunshine and took a minute on the bridge to pose. They're about to start placement here in Cork in primary schools (Douglas, Beaumont, Gardiner's Hill and Montenotte) to the start of June. And we wish them well and trust that the youngsters will benefit from both their teaching skills and their contribution of Dutch culture and perspective.

Graduation 2008 Photos

Leonardo Graduation 2008

Photos from the Leonardo Graduations 2008 are now available online. Students of the Cork College of Commerce, from Commercial Computing, Childcare, Beauty Therapy, and Travel and Tourism, received their Europass Certificates on the night. Students had been on placement in Finland, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Preparing for Graduations

Graduation Gallery

Students and staff are making last minute preparations for the Leonardo programme graduations this Tuesday, the 8th of April at 19:00 in the main hall of the College.

Programme of events will include speeches from the programme director and students on their experience of their trips abroad, a presentation to the students of their Europass Mobility Certificates, followed by refreshments for students and guests.

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Terry Shannon will be in attendance.

A total of thirty-seven students are graduating the programme following successful placements in Finland, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Echo: EU Work Experience Trip is a Big Success

"The students who travelled as part of the EU-funded Leonardo Da Vinci Programme to Europe have returned.
They spent three weeks working Germany, Finland, Spain and Italy. The areas they worked in ranged from beauty therapy in Finland and childcare in Germany and Italy to Montessori teaching in Italy and working in travel and tourism in Spain.
Orla O'Riordain, programme director, said: "Students found the experience exciting and challenging. It was a tremendous opportunity and one that will certainly stand to them in the future."

Evening Echo, Thursday, 27th March, 2008.

College Press Releases by Pauline Matthews