The Capital, 20th March

Today we had an extraordinary experience spending a whole day in Belfast.

Luckily, both Adrian and Michael, our tour guides, were really enthusiastic about showing us as many places of interest as they could.

During our journey to Belfast they summarized in nutshell the troublesome centuries as well as the latest decades of Northern Island so as to be able to get a better undersanding of their history.

During a short tour in the city centre we stopped at Ulster Museum to explore the botanic gardens around and some of the exhibitions inside like historic remainings and pieces of contemporary applied arts.

Queen's College

Botanic Gardens

Town Hall

Exhibitions in Ulster Museum

Then we forwarded towards the western part of the city where we were impressed by the murals and the peace messages on the wall that separates the two communities.

Murals

Peace Wall

Titanic Museum was our next stop with its fascinating interactive exhibitions from introducing the shipyard through designing, launching, showing the passangers's quarters... Meanwhile we could virtually experience the luxury of the hugest- and safest-ever-built passenger ship, which had been thought to be unsinkable.

Titanic Museum

It goes without saying how the significance of Her tragic accident has captured thousands of people's imagination all over he world.

Original picture of the bilding of the Titanic

Model of Titanic

Where do the Giants 'cross way'? - at Causeway :) 19th March

Heading for the World Heritage, follow the routes advised by the National Trust. Today we went for a Social Trip and the destination was one of the most exciting places: it is the Giant's Causeway.

Giant's view to the sea

This expressive place lies on the coast of the North Channel. It is made up of some 40,000 massive basalt columns sticking out of the sea. This place was formed by volcanic activities during the Terciary some 50-60 million years ago. Most of the coloums are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five seven, eight sides. They are just amazing!

Perfect fit of the stones

Legends say it was the giant, Finn McCool, who destroyed the bridge built from stones between Scotland and Ireland to escape from the mighty giant, Benandonner.

We all became great adventures as crossing over the Carrick-a-Redge, on the rope bridge. Now challenge day is completed. It was originally strung by local fishermen to get the best place to catch salmons migrating up the stream.

Rope bridge - and a lot of visitors

We stopped for some 20 minutes on the sandy beach of Portrush and at the haunted castle, Dunluce to take some photos. This castle is thought to be the most romantic and picturesque castle in Ireland.

Members of the 2 Sat Project

Who would (not) want to live here?

Contemporary Art at VOID, 18th March, Friday

'Night Falls, Day Brakes'

An exhibition at VOID Gallery

guided by Sally Murphy

Today we visited many pieces of works of the contemporary ceramic artist, Anne Wenzel.

Born in Germany, living and working in the Netherlands she is well-known all around the world from Moscow to New York.

While studying at an unconventional art academy she developed her working method like this:

' The concept comes first, followed by the tecnique....It's a rather risky endeavour because this uncontrolled process determines the eventual piece.'

All of her exhibited pieces reflect her feelings on wars, destructions, emptiness, global catastrophes, both social and natural with suggestion of hope.

The artist makes visitors decide for themselves how they solve this contradiction among the different themes.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 17th March, Thursday

We had felt ourselves lucky back at home recognizing that we had the opportunity to take part in the St. Patrick Day's feast while being in Derry.

Before the Parade we left for a Holy Place. So in the morning we did the very same as the Irish - when you are in Derry do like the Irish do. We attended the St. Patrick's service in the St. Columb's Cathedral.

St. Columb's Cathedral
http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/trace-ancestors.html

It was interesting to see people arriving with real shamrock bunches in their buttonholes.

We were amazed and touched by the ceremony, the beautiful sound of the organ and the priest's nice and clear pronunciation. Luckily we could follow the lithurgy, the speeches and the hymns as well. The priest and his members of assemblage were really friendly and wanted to know where we are from, what we do in our hometown.

After we could see the people gathering in groups of dancers, musicians wearing kilts, hudge puppets, little fairies, elves and leprechauns and they all were in green. Each guy wore something green, youngsters had their national Irish tricolour on them. They were strolling through the streets, enjoying the beautiful sunshine, the delicious grilled food of sausages, burgers and pints of Guiness in their companies.

With Elves

Children in green

Giant puppets 

Everything is green

In The Bentley

16th March, Wednesday

Today we all worked on individual tasks. Each of us collected footprints of arts and artistic pieces of work. We had time to collect impressions and ideas, while comparing traditional and smart arts.
Everyone chose a different way how to do it.

Two of us went for a ride by bikes along the River Foyle, some went to the Central Library to work on group project about the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day, and some couldn’t miss the everyday shopping.

We also prepared for Timi’s birthday next day, with writing a short poem.

’Running around, walls & bridges,
Sightseeing tours, lectures & lots of kisses.
You don’t know how lucky U R,
To be here in Northern Ire-(land).
Fish & chips, red wine, whiskey & beer,
We wish U to be happy @ home & here!


Have a nice day.

The Bogside

Bike Tour - The Foyleside

White head, Black head -  Irish sheeps

Students are going home

Education system in Northern Ireland, 15th March, Tuesday

We had a great lecture about the education system at the North West Language Academy. The introduction summarized what you have to know about education in the UK and Northern Ireland.

About the Irish Language

 Pre -School and Nursery and Primary Education

• compulsory between 4 and 11 in NI
• 7 year-groups by ages not by abilities
• integrated (Catholic or Protestant)
• one teacher per group each year is responsible for children's education and welfare
• subjects: Maths, Science, English, Art, Music, P.E., current affairs and manners
• second language is not obligatory

Lower secondary education

• 11 or 12 subjects to start with
• after 3 years 9 or 10 subjects are chosen fr their GCSE

Upper Secondary Education

• - 'sixth form' or further education institutes
• - Vocational (Technical) Colleges
• - the latter ones are paid courses (£ 3-4,000)

University

• A-Level results in relevant subjects
• Craduating with university degrees last from 3 to 7 years
• Master degree is required for Psychologists, Lawyers, Doctors

A smart quote found at the NW  College

Education througout the UK

• National (frame) Curriculum from 1988- no significant changes since then

'If it's not broken, don't fix it.'

Afternoon Class - SURVEY

We were asked to make a survey in groups of two. Each pair chose a topic about everyday life topics to elaborate later by asking passers-by. Finally we summarised our experience in short presentations.

We asked also the traffic warden lady

The North West Academy of English, 14th of March

Today we went to North West Academy of English, placed in Great James street, Derry. We listened to a presentation about school rules, Irish people’s habits, culture, pastoral care, traffic regulation and emergency numbers. Let’s have a look at some of them:

In the cafe of  North West Academy

Irish People & Culture

Irish people are naturally courteous and well mannered and will go out of their way to welcome visitors to their country. Being polite is very important, saying please and thank you and smiling is considered good manners and is expected in all situations, for example saying thank you to the bus driver when using public transport.

Happy youngsters

Family and community are close and very important to the Irish.

Time keeping is very important in Ireland. It’s considered bad manners or disrespectful to be late and will not be accepted in the work environment even one minute late is still late.

Harrasment & Bullying

The Academy has a firm commitment to equal opportunities and as such will not tolerate harassment or bullying of any kind.

Treat your fellow students, colleagues, NW Academy staff with respect.

Open Forum

If you are between 16 and 17 and have an issue you would like to talk about or give your opinion on something we have a dedicated drop in service for you.

Social Media & You

We encourage students to use social networking/media (Twitter, Facebook etc.) as a way to connect with others and enhance the classroom experience. While social networking is fun and valuable, there are some risks you should keep in mind when using these tools.

• Remember that regardless of your privacy settings, all of the information you have shared on your social network can be shared publicly.
• Be respectful.
• Be responsible and ethical.
• Don’t share confidental information/private and personal information.
• Do not click on unfamiliar links.

Any students who is unwilling to follow the above will be disciplined by NWA.

Traffic Regulation & Driving in The UK

As an international student you must make sure you fulfil the legal requirements and be aware of the correct procedures before you drive in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You must drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Look Right!

Pastoral Care

There are many chapels and churches in the city.

Even if you are not religious you will be welcomed into places worship throughout the city.

Social Activities

NW Academy run various social and cultural activities, which are fun and also a good way for you to meet other students (e.g.: every Saturday there is a full day trip).

Check out our website (www.nwacademy.org) for various information!

The North West Regional College

We visited the North West Regional College where the students learn arts. Our facultées:

Art, Design & Crafts

• Art portfolio Building
• Begginers' Pottery
• Bespoke Millinery
• Creative Jewellery Making
• Creative Sewing
• Creative Textile Art
• Crochet
• Interior Design
• Recreational Art
• Recreational Photography
• Stained Glass

Faculty of Arts, North West Collage, Derry

This is my wish for you today: find those – true friends, collegaues, family, love – who has made you the best!