28 March 2013 Sarah Kelly - Euroscola trip to Strasbourg

Getting to know you

A final year-student at Dunblane High school recently visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg as part of a Rotary sponsored Euroscola initiative.
Sarah Kelly (18) was one of the 26 Scottish students who were selected for the trip a few weeks ago. A total of around 500 students from 22 countries take part in this event which is held 10 times a year in either Strasbourg or Brussels. At last Thursday evening's meeting of the Rotary Club of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane, which sponsored Sarah, she recounted her 'absolutely incredible five days'
"The idea was set up in 1990 to give sixth formers across the EU the opportunity to learn more about the workings of the parliament while improving their language and presentational skills," she said. "It is a very intensive, well-organised programme, which balances work and leisure activities really well. And it is a wonderful opportunity to meet students of other nationalities and learn about their lives and culture. 
We were told subsequently that we had been one of the most outstanding groups ever - and I was really proud of myself for being able to communicate in a foreign language and it has really boosted my confidence in spoken French."
One of the most enlightening, and it turned out most amusing, tasks the group were asked to perform was to spend a few hours conducting a survey in the streets of Strasbourg asking the locals what they knew about Scotland and were it was located. One couple thought it was near Russia!
As there is no European Youth Parliament per se, the Euroscola scheme takes the opportunity to seek the opinions of the young people on a variety of topics, including the environment, freedom and information and active citizenship, which may then be taken forward to the Parliament itself to consider. 
"After our discussion groups, a few students were invited to put forward a question in the Parliament chamber and I amazed myself by having the confidence to ask a question namely whether, considering the varying opinions throughout the EU countries, they thought there might ever be a pan-European law passed on euthanasia/assisted suicide," she said.
It was a thought-provoking but very pertinent question to Sarah, as she is going to study medicine at Edinburgh University in September.
Arthur Law proposed the vote of thanks to Sarah for an excellent talk.