Students of pioneering college course travel to Berlin

STUDENTS from a pioneering Trinity college course for people with an intellectual disability are today travelling to Germany on a class field trip to gain an insight into the history and culture of the country.

The second-year students are studying for a Certificate in Contemporary Living at Trinity College. Now in its third year, it was the first programme of its kind in Ireland.

The trip is part of the social studies International Perspective module during which students compare and contrast Ireland with another European country, culminating in a field trip.

According to course co-ordinator Molly O’Keeffe, the module allows students to explore the politics, culture, geography and the development of a nation’s history. They also examine their role as a citizen in multi-cultural Ireland and how current policies affect their position in society as Irish people with disabilities.

The students have completed group projects focusing on the Second World War, the 1916 Rising, and the Famine.

In preparation for their trip, the students have compared Ireland and Germany in the areas of history, culture, geography, society and politics.

“We have looked at maps, rivers, forests as well as learning important insights into the traumatic history of both countries.

“We plan to visit the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie amongst others. We have also planned cultural activities in the evening such eating German food, listening to music, meeting German people and sampling their beer,” they said.

According to Ms O’Keeffe the course allows students to engage fully in lifelong learning and life on campus.

While the focus is largely on independent living, the subjects covered include maths, physical education, computers, art and social studies.