Cheers,
The Work & Travel Ireland Team

Name: Robyn Haugan.
Age: 24 yrs.
University: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Length of time here: 4 months.

What job are you doing in Ireland?
I worked at a perfume shop at Mahon point in Cork. The people there are really nice, mostly university students.

Where & Who are you living with here?
I lived with a fellow program participant in Cork city. I met him at the USIT orientation. I absolutely worship Cork. I can’t imagine living anywhere else in Ireland. Its great because its so near the coast and all the gorgeous Irish scenery.

Whats your social scene like? Where do you go? What do you do etc?
We have a blast at some of the local pubs and clubs and like to hit up the Gate cinema every now and then for a movie.

Your most memorable thing to date in Ireland?
Seeing the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry. Was absolutely amazing. Unbelievably gorgeous.

Can you sum up your experience on the program in Ireland to date?
Definitely an emotial roller-coaster, but one of the best experiences of my life. Has taught me loads about myself and been well worth it!

What Advice you would give any students thinking about going on the WII program?
DO IT!! it will be hard at first, most likely, but stick it out, try not to get too discouraged and suddenly one day you'll wake up with a job, a place to live, friends, and a life in Ireland!

The Meteors are on the way…

Ireland’s most exciting music event of the year, The Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2007 will take place at The Point Depot, on Thursday 1st February 2007. This will be the seventh year of ‘The Meteors’. This star-studded music extravaganza will be hosted by Irish comedian and actress, Deirdre O’Kane and the hilarious duo Podge & Rodge. All the nominations are in and this year you can vote for short listed nominees in six categories - Best Irish DJ, Best Irish Band, Best Irish Male, Best Irish Female, Best Irish Pop Act and Best Live Performance. Some of the acts confirmed to perform at the awards this year are Amy Winehouse, Pussycat Dolls, Clannad, Kaiser Chiefs, Director, The Feeling, and The Blizzards with more acts to follow. Fans can expect stellar performances from a host of International and Irish Superstars!

Neil's 'Breakfast on Pluto' dwarves all other nominees

The disturbing tale of a transvestite prostitute who becomes involved with republican paramilitaries may not have appeared an obvious box office hit! But Neil Jordan's acclaimed 'Breakfast on Pluto' has easily topped the list of nominees for this year's Irish Film and Television Awards, gaining 10 nominations. It was followed closely by Brian Kirk's 'Middletown' with nine nominations, while Ken Loach's 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley' received seven nominations. The civil war hit previously won the prestigious Palme d'Or in Cannes. Cork actor Cillian Murphy, who is also in the running for a British Bafta film award, has received multiple nominations in the Best Actor category for his performances in 'Breakfast on Pluto' and 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'.

Quick learner Sheen masters the tricky computer course

Keeping you all up to date on how Martin Sheen is getting on at NUI Galway, his studies have already paid off. Although the Hollywood star will not get his English, Philosophy, and Oceanography exam results until February, he has already passed a computer course. The thrilled first-year could not wait to tell staff when he discovered he passed NUI Galway's first European Computer Driver License exam with flying colours. A spokesperson at the college said “When he came to Galway, he could not even turn on a computer". Fresher Sheen has left Ireland for the time being and is now back in the US. The famous undergraduate does not have to travel back to the college in mid-February to pick up his results as they will be posted to him. But staff said that they hope the International Student Programme graduate might turn up! Sheen was a big hit with students during his short time at the college.