St Mogue’s students hit Strasbourg

There’s a certain Irish charm to seeing a clatter of St Mary’s Swanlinbar GAA jerseys emblazoned with ‘Leydon’s Coaches’ being chaperoned through the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg’s historic Petite France quarter.

Such was the scene when a 22-strong class of St Mogue’s College TY students travelled to Strasbourg to take part in EU Euroscola programme last week.

A one-minute video of the group collectively tackling the debate in defence of women’s rights and gender equality had earned both them, and three teachers, the right to visit to the southern French city and European capital.

Mingling through the picturesque half-timbered houses, some adorned with colourful motifs embodying the Alcase region’s rich and vibrant history, the group spent their first day acquainting themselves with the timeless charm of a city that binds itself to the gentle flow of the Ill River.

After getting over the initial surprise of finding a rabbit (or Lapin) living in the foyer of the Hotel Victoria, first stop for the group was the iconic Strasbourg Cathedral, its spire and neck-aching landmark reaching towards the heavens. The steeple casts a majestic silhouette against the azure sky. What’s left of the soft glow of the evening sun, fast disappearing, is embraced by the intricate stained glass windows, their kaleidoscope of colours invoking the due sense of reverence.

Back at the hotel later, a Bluetooth speaker plays everything from ‘Careless Whisper’ to ‘Cotton Eye Joe’.

But there’s more to this visit than the enchanting aroma of fresh baked pastry, strong coffee, and the sweet scent of early bloom cherry blossom.

The students make their way to the European Parliament the following day uniformed in school blue blazers. Their arrival to these hallowed halls of democracy is greeted by a palpable buzz of activity as teenagers from across Europe gather for a singular purpose. The initiative is aimed and increasing the level of engagement between young people and the political system, and this is the largest Euroscola gathering to take place this school year.

Almost 700 pack into the parliament’s impressive wooden clad hemicycle, where plenary debates take place. Double that number log on meanwhile from various educational institutions across Europe and the UK also.

There are kids here from Germany, Romania, Greece, and Spain among others. Some countries have voted to lower the voting age, and with the EU elections coming up in June, the parliament is determined to encourage each of them to exercise their franchise.

The atmosphere inside the hemicycle is electric, and after the morning introductory formalities are dispensed with, ideas and proposals exchange in freeflow during an afternoon workshop session.

Curiously, the most animated the room gets is when the subject of reproductive rights and the termination of pregnancy is raised. If Europe, and indeed Ireland, feels as if they’ve solved the issue, they may think again.

Trip co-ordinator, and St Mogue’s teacher, Tina Dolan, says class trips abroad provide valuable life experience for the children taking part.

“It is holistic, it’s not just the activity, but the cultural emersion, the language, the getting on with each other, negotiating their independence. There are so many aspects to a class trip, and each aspect is different but equally valuable. The experience is valuable.”