Ten students from SCHS got to experience an early spring break and go to Ireland with our Sister Cities program. Sister Cities does an exchange every year with St. Charles and alternate between exchanging with Irish and German students. This past fall, he week before Halloween., many SCHS students hosted Irish exchange students looking to see America.  In an SCHSnow.com story, “Friends from Across the Pond” Irish students discussed their opinion of America.

“I think the exchange boosted my confidence massively… It was very different being the host, I loved treating our guests and seeing Ireland through their eyes,” said Ruby Gillespie, Renata Restrepo’s host. 

Many of the participants in the exchange on both sides had never done anything like this before. Many American students had never been on an international flight before the trip. While traveling home, the students’ and chaperones’ connecting flights were cancelled from Dallas Texas to St. Louis. The students had to spend the night in the Dallas Airport waiting for their new flight at 7 a.m. the next day. 

“It was so easy! I already knew all you guys [American exchange students] … As soon as I saw the list of kids going, my first thought was, ‘well this is gonna be a great trip,’” said Kayla Gilmore, the chaperone of the trip. 

The program had many activities planned out for the American students to do during the school week such as going to their host students’ lessons at Scoil Mhuire, seeing The Giants Causeway, and Carrick- A-Rede bridge. They also took a tour of the city of Derry,Ireland.

While there they had a guided tour showing them the Derry Walls and visiting the Bogside murals. Many students also walked to the peace bridge when having time to shop. Another field trip the hosts and exchange students went on was an alpaca walk on the most northern end of Ireland. On a field trip without their hosts, the American students toured the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) with their chaperones and other American exchange students from SCW. On a day out on the town, the group went to a Gillick match. 

“My favorite part about the exchange was being able to meet loads of new people and yous being able to really get our experience and see what we get up to day to day,” said Aoife Davy, Charlotte Kulma’s host.  

The Irish exchange was a lovely experience for many who participated and they urge students to join within the next few years. 

“I can’t believe more people didn’t want to do it. Like how could you not want to do it?” said Davy.