Seda News de Dezembro

1. Issue 13, December 2012. Copyright: Skills & Enterprise Development Academy
SEDA INTERNSHIPS
SEDA’s in-
ternship
programme
is in full
swing as six
students get
work in Irish
companies.
You can take
part too!
Page 3
TEACHER ROSA
At the age
of 25 she
got a Mas-
ter’s degree
and wants
to study for
a PhD, but
teacher Ma-
ria Rosa has
a fun side too Page 5
YOUR STORY
SEDA students and teachers wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! More photos on pages 10 & 11.
SEDA is moving to a Fabiana
Hernandez,
who came to
beautiful new home
Dublin from
Venezuela,
talks about
her love of
flamenco
SEDA will start the New Year in a new building, which is
and the arts. Page 6
more than double the size of the current one!
In January 2013 SEDA will move
to a large new building located on
ute walk away from the Spire. Also in
the immediate vicinity is Cineworld
large double glazed
windows facing the
NOLLAIG SHONA!
Capel Street, in the heart of Dublin’s – Dublin’s biggest multiplex cinema, street and plenty of
Northside. Measuring 14 000 square Henry Street shopping area and the natural light. There
Ever ything
feet, the school’s new home is more Luas tram line as well as a huge se- will be an eleva-
than twice the size of the current lection of restaurants and pubs. The tor in the reception you need to
premises. The new SEDA will have a building was previously home to the so from next year know about
large library and a spacious student engineering faculty of Dublin Institute SEDA will have Christmas
area with comfortable sofas, 50-inch of Technology, one of Ireland’s highest disabled access. It is and New
TV screens and computers lining the ranking colleges. envisaged that up to Year’s Eve in
walls, video games and other types of The new premises will have from 800 students will be uary 7 – would take place in the new
Ireland as
entertainment. And it is also planned 12 to 20 classrooms, with two of them able to attend classes in the school’s building, but the process of moving
premises could take one or two weeks
well as fun
that the school will have its own can- specially fitted out for degree courses new premises every day. events in
teen! which SEDA plans to introduce in SEDA management said it hoped longer. What’s certain however is that
from January 2013 life in SEDA is set Dublin
The new location is just a 5-min- the future. All the classrooms have that the first class of 2013 – due on Jan-
to become much more exciting! Page 8

2. 2 NEWS
A word from Ireland is “the best option” for
the editor Venezuelan students
This month SEDA News is getting SEDA marketing staff took ing executive Tiago Mascarenhas.
ready for Christmas and we are also part in the BMI Europosgrados “Venezuelans are good students
celebrating the fact that SEDA is student fair in Venezuela last and we expect good results from
moving to a beautiful new building month. Some 3500 young Ven- this fair”.
on Capel Street.
ezuelans attended the event, which Schools from France, Spain,
There are some unique traditions
connected to Christmas in Ireland took place in the capital Caracas. England, Germany and the Neth-
and these are all explained for you SEDA was the only academic in- erlands also took part in the event.
on page 8. Christmas is the biggest stitution from Ireland taking part. Tiago Mascarenhas said: “It’s
holiday here and on December 25 School staff held a special seminar quite difficult for Venezuelans to
the whole country takes a day off. about education in Ireland. They travel abroad because they have
But every year there are foreign- also met the Honorary Consul of to get approval from their gov-
ers who think they can go out on Ireland in Venezuela, representa- ernment to buy foreign currency.
Christmas Day or travel by public tives of the bank Mercantil and From this point of view Ireland is
transport to see their friends, and
CADIVI, the government body a very attractive option because
end up having a big disappointment
as the whole country shuts down responsible for currency exchange Venezuelans don’t need a visa to
completely. We want you to avoid which all Venezuelan students come here and the prices in this
this situation so we’ve collected all have to go through if they wish to country are much more affordable.
the main facts about Christmas (in- study abroad. If you compare Ireland with Cana-
cluding Christmas sales!) in Ireland “It was great to be able to pro- da, Australia, USA or England we
on page 7 – read on! SEDA marketing staff at Venezuelan student fair
mote Ireland,” said SEDA’s market- are really the best option for them”.
New body to oversee Ireland sends education
This year Dublin made it into Lonely
Planet’s Top 5 cities in the world to
celebrate New Year’s Eve. The Irish
quality of education mission to India
capital is preparing a large festival
on December 31 - we’ve got all the
details as well as information about
in Ireland
other fun stuff to do this time of year.
As usual SEDA News has got stories Ireland is seeking to increase
of our students from various parts its share of 200,000 Indian stu-
of the world. This month we inter- A new organisation formed IEM will only be granted to dents who study abroad each year.
viewed Wonhee Lee from South Ko- last month will look after qualifi- schools that provide quality educa- Minister for training and skills
rea whose “long holiday” in Dublin Ciarán Cannon led the country’s
cations and quality assurance in tion to European and international
is about to end. We also chat to Fabi-
Ireland’s education sector. Qual- students. QQI has also taken over largest ever education mission to
ana Hernandez from Venezuela who
tells us of her love for flamenco and ity and Qualifications Ireland from NQAI as the body responsi- India last month. He visited New
the arts. (QQI) was created by a merger of ble for the administration of the Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai
timated that every 100 additional
SEDA News is not big on competi- four bodies: the Further Educa- Internationalisation Register – a seeking to highlight Ireland as
international students who come
tions this month, but you can try tion and Training Awards Council list of education and training pro- a centre for international study.
to Ireland support the creation
and find the right answers to our (FETAC), the Higher Education grammes approved for non-EU Over 60 leading academics from
Christmas quiz on page 12 – it won’t of 15 local jobs, through spend-
and Training Awards Council students. 16 higher education institutions
be that easy! Congratulations to Ve- ing on tuition, accommodation
(HETAC), the National Qualifica- QQI is also charged with de- took part in the mission to pro-
ronica Bellido for winning the quiz and other living expenses.” There
tions Authority of Ireland (NQAI) veloping a new register of educa- mote Ireland as a hub for global
competition last month and well are currently almost 1,000 In-
and the Irish Universities Quality tion providers, programmes and education and global business.
done to Mayerling Marquez who dian students studying in Ireland,
won 2 free tickets for a trip to the Board (IUQB). The new author- awards, which will include a list of The Minister highlighted the eco-
mainly in post-graduate degree
Cliffs of Moher. ity will assume all the functions of education establishments holding nomic benefits of international
courses in Engineering, Pharma,
these four organisations and will the IEM. It is expected that in time students for the country: “In addi-
Business, Accounting, Computer
As usual, have a pleasant read and also get new responsibilities. the new register will replace the tion to being future ambassadors
Sciences and Hospitality Manage-
you can always contact us on: One of QQI’s tasks will be to current list of ACELS-recognised for Ireland, international students
ment.
news@seda.ie develop and introduce the Inter- English language schools. also help to generate jobs. It is es-
national Education Mark (IEM).
SEDA News, copyright: Skills & Enterprise Development Academy (SEDA). EDITOR AND LAYOUT: Viktor Posudnevsky.
FINAL REVIEW: Carol Cregg. CIRCULATION: 1000 copies. ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL: news@seda.ie

3. NEWS 3
SEDA internships are in full Public transport
fees rise again
swing as 6 students get work Prices for bus and train tickets
increased by up to 18% from De-
cember 1 – this is already the second
price hike this year. The cheapest
in Irish
Dublin Bus ticket now costs €1.65
instead of €1.40 (up 17.9%). A short
trip on the DART has increased to
€1.65 and LUAS fares rose by 10 cent.
companies
Prices increased across the board –
both for those who pay for their tick-
ets by cash and for Leap Card users.
However, Leap Cards still provide
significant discounts. The National
SEDA internship programme, which was Transport Authority has said it had
launched last month, is operating suc- no option but to raise fares because
of a shortage of funds. The last price
cessfully, with 6 students already placed hike was in September this year, and
prices also rose in 2009 and 2011.
in Irish companies.
Last month SEDA began an in-
ternship programme which allows stu-
area and learn-
ing English at the
Ireland is
dents to get work experience in Irish
companies within various sectors of
same time,” the
student told SEDA getting warmer
the economy – from information tech- News. “The job is
nology to the hotel industry. Some 11
students have signed up to take part in
easy because I did
the same thing
and wetter
the programme so far, with the majori- at home. But the Ireland’s climate has got wet-
ty of them already working. Up to now work culture here ter and warmer, according to a new
six students have been placed with is different and
Irish IT, logistics, distribution and ca- it is good to get
SEDA student Andre Gonzaga and E-Celtic director Brian Martin in the report by the European Environ-
company’s offices in Dublin ment Agency. The Agency has found
tering companies. to know it. I also that global warming is affecting the
learned some cation development. Its director Brian but we were very impressed with them country along with the rest of north-
One of the successful candidates new techniques which I have never Martin said E-Celtic regularly takes on and offered them full time positions”. ern Europe as average temperatures
is Andre Gonzaga, an IT expert from used before. It’s been a great experi- interns: Speaking of SEDA student Andre continue to rise. For example, the
Brazil, who is now working in a Dub- ence and I’m very grateful for the op- “We’re a rapidly growing company Gonzaga, Martin said: “Andre’s got last decade (2002–2011) was the
lin-based company called E-Celtic. portunity that SEDA gave me!” so we always need people to come on great expertise and so he can do things warmest on record, with land tem-
Andre studies in SEDA in the after- E-Celtic employs about 10 people board. Internship is good because it quite quickly. He’s been a really good perature 1.3° C warmer than the
noons and comes to work every morn- in its Dublin office. It also has a de- gives people a training period and help to us since he joined. So far he’s pre-industrial average. The report
ing. His job in E-Celtic is to help set up velopment centre in India and a sales then they can get a full-time role with doing really well and we’ve got more also states that Ireland is experi-
a Linux server. operation in London. The company’s the company. We’ve had a couple of projects for him. He’s a great guy!” encing higher amounts of rainfall.
“I like working here very much main business is in search engine opti- people like that just recently. They He added that since joining E- Authors of the report predict that
because I am doing something in my misation, digital marketing and appli- started out as interns for a few months, Celtic Andre’s English improved as Ireland could be 2.5–4° C warmer
How does the programme work?
he got more confidence: “I think it’s in the later part of the 21st century,
the main thing about learning any compared to the 1961–1990 average.
language: you need to be confident to An increase in storms along the west
speak it. Andre is working in a real en- and east coasts of Ireland – but not
SEDA’s internship programme al- over 18 years of age and your course If you would like to take part in
vironment and none of us here speak the south – is also predicted. But it’s
lows SEDA students to learn English has to be for at least 6 months. Most the programme send your CV and a
Portuguese, so he has no choice but to not all bad news as rising sea tem-
and gain work experience in an Irish positions are only for students with in- cover letter indicating the area where
speak English”. peratures off the coast Ireland may
company at the same time. The work termediate or higher level of English, you would like to work to intern-
Other students have also been lead to an influx of new fish species.
placements are unpaid and gener- but there are some opportunities for ship@seda.ie. SEDA’s Internship pro-
quite happy with SEDA’s new pro-
ally last for 4-6 weeks (though they beginners too. Students will also need gramme coordinator will then get in
More than 60%
gramme. For example, an intern, who
can be longer if the student wishes private medical insurance (at least for touch with you and introduce you to
recently got a placement in the Dub-
and the employer is OK with that). the duration of the internship). the positions that are currently on of-
lin office of Kuehne + Nagel, a global
of population
The students can choose companies fer. After you choose the roles that in-
logistics company, said it was “like a
where they want to work from a list The work placements are either terest you we will arrange interviews
dream come true”.
of Irish businesses. Currently there part-time or full-time. Part-time in- with the respective companies. If the
are opportunities in IT, business ad-
ministration, marketing, advertising,
ternships can be done in the student’s interview is successful then you can
free time (for example, if you study start your internship. overweight
customer service, catering, tourism, in the morning you can work in the More than 60% of the Irish pop-
architecture and others. afternoons) or during holidays. Full- To apply for the programme If you want to get an intern- ulation is now overweight or obese, a
In order to take part in SEDA in- time internships are only available
just send your CV to: ship through SEDA send your report by Safefood into The Cost of
ternship programme you need to be during holidays.
internship@seda.ie! CV to: internship@seda.ie Overweight and Obesity has found.
And Irish people’s weight problems
are a significant burden on the coun-
Students fight GNIB registration fee hike
try’s finances. The direct healthcare
costs of treating obesity-related con-
ditions is €399 million. However,
The cost of registering with Ire- out against the doubling of fees. on everyone who is unhappy the indirect costs amount to €729
land’s immigration service doubled For example, the Immigrant about the fee increase to send million a year – this is mainly re-
last month from €150 to €300. Ire- Council of Ireland called the price a letter of complaint to Min- lated to absenteeism from work and
land’s naturalisation and immigration hike “an attack on low income migrant ister for Justice Alan Shatter. premature death, the report found.
service (INIS) announced the price families” and pointed out that im- You can join the campaign For example, weight problems con-
hike just five days before it took effect. migration registration fee in Ireland online on: tribute hugely to time missed at
The decision to increase the price pay- was now one of the highest in Europe. work because of lower back pain.
able for a new GNIB card was taken Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland and Meanwhile, another report, Grow-
http://www.mrci.ie/ ing Up in Ireland, found that almost
without consultation with immigrant the Irish Council for International
and international student organisa- Students have both launched public take-action/3876/ a quarter of Irish 13-years-olds are
tions. A number of bodies have spoken campaigns against the hike. They call overweight or obese.

4. 4 NEWS
Dublin in
Top 5 for New SEDA students travel to the Cliffs
Year’s Eve
of Moher, but fog blocks the view More than 60 SEDA
students went on a
school trip to the Cliffs of
Moher last month. The
Dublin has been named one of trip, organized by a lo-
the top five places in the world to cel- cal tour operator Xtreme
ebrate New Year’s Eve. The city was Ireland, also included
singled out by travel guide Lonely Limerick City, the vil-
Planet as preparations get under way
lage of Doolin, Galway
for a special New Year’s Eve festival
to launch The Gathering – a year- Bay and the Burren.
long celebration of all things Irish. Unfortunately, when
Dublin is ranked alongside Prague in the tour bus reached the Burren, and students had much fun
the Czech Republic, the New South main attraction a thick cloud exploring the stony plains. SEDA
Wales coast of Australia, Chiang Mai of fog descended on the coast tours may continue next year –
in Thailand and the French Alps. The and completely blocked the check out January edition of SEDA
Irish capital was singled out for its world-famous Cliffs from view. News to find out!
planned fireworks display and torch- But the weather got better by
lit procession of floats, firebreathers,
the time the group reached the Well done to Mayerling Marquez
stiltwalkers and, in particular, for this
Moon-like landscapes of the who won 2 tickets for the trip!
year’s extended festival. Thousands Students before the start of the trip. Photos by Juliana Trocoli
of expats are expected to visit Ireland
throughout next year.
Ryanair brings Ireland may allow abortion in limited
in new credit circumstances
card fee 85% of Irish people would support
laws allowing abortion when the
navar, has said that the woman asked
the doctors repeatedly for an abortion,
be allowed, at least in cases where
pregnancy poses a risk to the preg-
Ryanair has introduced a new mother’s life is at risk, according to a but they refused, saying that Ireland nant woman’s life or health. However,
2% credit card fee on bookings. The poll conducted by the Sunday Business was “a catholic country”. Mr Halap- the pro-life movement is asking the
airline said it would impose the new Post newspaper. Currently abortion is panavar is confident that if the doctors government to keep the ban on abor-
charge as well as its €6 administra- illegal in Ireland, but there has been a terminated his wife’s pregnancy she tion. The government has said that it is
tion fee, Irish Independent reports. clamour for reform after the death of a would still be alive. committed to reforming abortion laws Although abortion is illegal in Ireland
However, the administration fee will pregnant woman in a hospital in Gal- Following the woman’s death thou- and will introduce clear guidelines on Irish women are free to terminate
be scrapped in two months’ time. Ry- way. Savita Halappanavar, who came sands of people protested against Ire- this issue by the end of the year. How- their pregnancies in another country.
anair said it was making these changes to Ireland from India, died of blood land’s abortion laws in Dublin, Cork, ever, the reform would not mean that Last year more than 4000 Irish women
under pressure from the Office of Fair poisoning after suffering a miscar- Galway and London. The pro-choice there will be “abortion on demand” in travelled for abortion to England or
Trading in the UK, which is making riage. Her husband, Praveen Halappa- protesters are asking for abortion to Ireland. Wales.
Minister wants referendum on same-sex marriage
it illegal to add surprise debit card
charges at the end of the booking
process. The airline said that the €6
administration fee would continue in
place until February 1, after which it I r e l a n d ’s same-sex marriage “as soon as possible”. marriage will be one of the first issues equality along with countries like Spain
would be scrapped and the €6 would Minister for Mr Gilmore said his own view was the examined by the constitutional conven- and Portugal, and not fall behind,” said
be absorbed into higher flight fares. Foreign Affairs “time has come” for marriage of same- tion, which convened this month for a spokesperson.
However, the 2pc credit card charge Eamon Gil- sex couples. “I don’t believe we should the first time. Advocacy group Mar- Since 2011 same-sex couples in Ire-
will be a permanent fixture, and the more has said postpone what is a human right,” he riage Equality welcomed the call by land can register a civil partnership –
only way to avoid it will be to pay by he would like to told RTE radio. The politician, who is Mr Gilmore for a referendum. “Now is this status gives the partners rights and
debit card, including but not limited see a referendum also Ireland’s current Tánaiste (deputy the time for marriage equality, and we responsibilities similar, but not equal to
to the Ryanair Cash Passport. on the issue of prime minister), added that same-sex want Ireland to lead this movement for civil marriage.

5. SEDA STAFF 5
Pole fitness and heavy
metal: discover teacher
Rosa’s fun side
Dancing and heavy metal – these are just some of the things that SEDA teacher MARIA ROSA DA SILVA
COSTA gets up to in her free time. But as she tells SEDA News, Rosa has no ambitions of becoming a
professional dancer: in fact, she recently got a Masters degree in teaching English and now wants to
do a PhD course. And she’s only 25!
Tell me about yourself and how with me: I spent most of my time to do in life: I’ve always
you started working in SEDA? speaking English with the Irish wanted to be a teacher.
I am originally from Teresina and that’s where my accent comes And I also want to be
in Brazil. I decided to come to from. qualified and really be
Ireland after graduating from col- the best I can be in my
lege in 2008. A year after I arrived Are you studying here as well? area.
here I came to SEDA looking for Before I came over I always had Doing that course
a business course and I mentioned the idea of doing a Masters course, was great for me be- What do you like to do in your
that I was an English teacher. Back but when I arrived I realised there cause you learn so much about the free time? Do you practice at home?
then the school had just opened was no scholarships or anything culture of a country when you’re
and they needed teachers. So I was like that between Ireland and Bra- studying in a national university I like meeting up with my No, not yet. But I wouldn’t
asked to join the school and I’ve zil. To do a Masters was quite ex- like UCD. And it’s also the best friends, and obviously as you are mind to. It’s my dream to have a
been here ever since – three years pensive, so I decided to work hard university in Ireland for the kind in Ireland you can’t really avoid home with a pole and a walk-in
altogether! and save money for it and then fi- of course that I did. going to the pub for a few drinks. wardrobe, like music stars you
nally last year I applied for a course I also love going to the cinema or see on TV. Hopefully I’ll get there
What did you study before in UCD. I was offered a place and What are your plans now? for a walk on the beach or in the eventually!
coming to Dublin? I graduated a few months ago. I don’t really know. To be hon- mountains.
I have a degree in English lan- So now I got a Masters degree est, I need a break right now be- What sort of music are you
guage and literature. After finish- in TESOL – teaching English to cause it’s been a very tough year as Is it true that one of your hob- into?
ing this course I decided to come speakers of other languages. I was working full time in SEDA bies is pole fitness?
over to Ireland for a new experi- and doing my course at the same I’m quite an eclectic person,
ence. I felt that I needed to live in What was studying here like time. So at the end of the year I am Yeah, it is! I have a friend who I like most types of music. But I
an English speaking country to see for you? Were you the only non- going to Brazil to spend a couple of works in SEDA and she did pole listen to a lot of heavy metal, all
how the language actually works Irish person in your class? weeks with my family. dancing before so she encour- sorts of metal. I like many bands,
and what the culture is like. So I I was. There were only four of But hopefully next year I will aged me to join her class. We did but some of my favourites are Iron
came over to Ireland and got a job us and I was the only non-native continue my studies. I’ve had a 6-week course and I thought it Maiden, Haggard and Metallica.
in my area which is lovely. speaker. The others were Irish and some contact with the University was very interesting and really Next year I’m going to Wacken, a
they were also a bit older than me. of Limerick and they’re coming up liked it! I don’t go the gym or ex- big heavy metal music festival in
At the moment you speak with Studying in UCD was a great ex- with a new programme which is a ercise much so it was a great way Germany. Yeah!
a very Irish accent. Are people perience and I really enjoyed it! It PhD in TESOL (teaching English for me to get fit. But then I had
surprised when you tell them that was quite hard, but it’s done now! to speakers of other languages). to stop training because I had so What kind of food do you like?
you’re not from Ireland? I remember when we started If that goes ahead I might do a much to do with my course. I went
Yes, a lot of them are. I suppose the course people were asking me: PhD with them. If not I may have back to pole dancing some months To be fair when I arrived in Ire-
when you work with a lot of Irish why are you doing this? And I said, a look at a PhD course in Applied ago and am still doing it. It’s really land I couldn’t really cook because
people you can’t really avoid get- first of all, I really like my job. I Linguistics which is available from good! You have to be very strong it was the first time I had ever lived
ting the accent. That was the case know that this is what I really want Trinity College. Getting more and forget about being sexy or an- on my own. The way I cook nowa-
qualifications – that’s my target ything like that. You’re just killing days – it’s a mixture of Brazilian
right now! yourself for an hour there, that’s and Irish cuisine. I like Irish food,
what it is! But it’s good fun. I didn’t but I do miss Brazilian food a lot
Are you going to stay in Ire- think that it would be that hard. and definitely need to go home
land? When you see the teacher doing every now and then to eat it!
Everything’s going well so far the moves it seems easy, but when
for me in Ireland so yes, I intend to you get up there you realise it’s a What places would you recom-
be here for a while. But I don’t real- lot more than that. It’s very simi- mend students to visit in Dublin
ly know. I’d say I will do a PhD and lar to gymnastics. I do it mostly for and around Ireland?
then see where to go from there. If fitness and it does make you really
I go back to Brazil I can get a fairly really fit. I would say go to the country-
good job there. I would probably side, but not for a day trip. Go to
teach in a college and that would Would you see yourself per- Galway or Cork and stay there for
fulfil me. But if I stay in Ireland I forming in a competition? a few days to get to know the peo-
will be getting loads of experience ple and the culture. Talk to locals,
and obviously it’s a good extra on Oh god, no! I have no inten- try traditional food – you’ll have
my CV. tion of becoming a professional lots of fun and improve your Eng-
dancer, I’m OK with just being an lish at the same time!
Teacher Rosa and her class in SEDA English teacher, thank you!

6. 6 YOUR STORY
Wonhee is “not ready” to end her long Irish
holiday, but there’s work to do in Korea
SEDA student WONHEE LEE from South Korea spent nearly two years in Ireland – a time
that she describes as her “long holiday”. But in January she will finish her course and go
back to Korea where plenty of work is waiting for her.
Wonhee (pronounced Wonie) hee works as an events planner, or- friends who are from all over the ing in Ireland. The student has
Lee says she chose Dublin because ganising festivals, conferences and world – Irish, Japanese, Thai, Pol- been to Germany, England, Tur-
it was a good place to learn Eng- various international meetings. ish, German... It’s kind of like a key, Denmark, Austria, Hungary,
lish and also a convenient location But she took a break from her busy long holiday for me. But it’s already Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and
to travel all around Europe. As it job when she got the plane to Dub- my second year in Ireland and I’m other countries. But, she says, it is
turns out, Ireland is quite famous lin. Now the South Korean student going back to Korea next January. Ireland that will stay in her heart
in South Korea. “Koreans know spends her days relaxing, travelling So I have to prepare to start work forever.
quite a lot about Ireland,” she told and socialising with friends. again, but I feel that I’m not ready “I like everything here espe-
SEDA News. “It’s not really a pop- “In Dublin I’m not working, yet!” cially the Irish people – they are
ular tourist destination yet, but it’s just relaxing and being lazy,” Won- Thanks to cheap flights from so funny, very helpful and friendly.
getting popular”. hee said. “Sometimes I would go Dublin Wonhee was able to travel Except crazy teenagers every-
In her home town, Seoul, Won- to pubs and have a drink with my all over Europe while she was liv- thing’s nice here!”
Arts lover Fabiana finds a
world of culture in Dublin
SEDA students come in all shapes and sizes and their age varies from 18 to 68! Previ-
ously we interviewed 68-year-old Luis Salazar about his experience in Ireland, but
this month we spoke to FABIANA HERNANDEZ from Venezuela, who came to study
in SEDA and is still in her teens. It is Fabiana’s first time living away from home and
she misses her family. But the Venezuelan girl is happy in Dublin as it is an arts para-
dise compared to her small home town.
Fabiana Hernandez grew up in a am till 1 pm, then I taught flamenco Fabiana
small town in Venezuela where eve- from 2 to 5 pm, and after that I went adds that her
rybody knows each other and has al- to the gym – it’s very important to English has im-
ways wanted to get out. She says she have strong muscles. And then after proved a lot in
loves her people and their traditions, 8 pm I would go to my class, which is SEDA and cred-
but even more than that she loves the very advanced, to learn from the best its her teach-
arts and that is clearly something that teachers. Sometimes I would finish ers especially
her home town lacks. The SEDA stu- only at 1 am... I had to be very organ- Graham whom
dent is an avid painter and actor and ised because there was never time for she calls “super-
she is also a great dancer: at the age of anything! Every day was like this. At good”.
just 16 Fabiana was ranked number 6 weekends my friends would call me to
flamenco performer in the whole of parties or to the cinema, but I couldn’t It was hard
Venezuela. go because I had flamenco shows and for the Ven-
so much to do!” ezuelan girl,
“I have danced flamenco for about The talented student also who is just 17, Fabiana outside SEDA
11 years starting at the age of 5, and I She was well on course to becom- performs as a mime to come to live
was also a flamenco teacher,” she said. ing a professional dancer, but Fabiana’s in a new country, but she is adapt- In her free time Fabiana likes to
“In Venezuela I went to school from 7 dream was shattered a year ago: while executing a complicated dance move ing. Fabiana says she has grown very take long walks in Phoenix Park, chat
at an audition she fell and seriously attached to her Irish host family who with her Venezuelan friends and go
hurt her leg. Her injury means she live in Ballyfermot. Still, her father is shopping. And though she’s only 17
cannot perform on stage anymore and irreplaceable. she has already sampled Dublin’s fa-
can only dance for fun... mous nightlife. “When you go to the
“Me and my daddy are very close – pubs the trick is to come early when
Despite the setback Fabiana is still my daddy is my hero and I love him!” they are still empty. Then security let
full of love for the arts. In her free time she said. “I miss him very much and you in without ID,” Fabiana says.
she paints – mostly surrealist paint- call him every day. He is coming to Ire-
ings reminiscent of her favourite art- land in March next year when he will But her Irish host family always
ist Salvador Dali. The Venezuelan have a holiday. And I think my sister make sure she gets back home early,
student says she is very happy to be in may be coming with him as well”. she adds.
Europe, close to all the famous
museums and art galleries. “I
love my country: it’s beauti-
ful and the people are happy
and open, but maybe it’s not
the right place for me because
I like arts and the people in
Venezuela don’t appreciate arts
so much”, she said. “I’ve always
thought Ireland is a very inter-
esting country and I really like
Fabiana Hernandez and her flamenco class in Venezuela it here!” “My daddy is my hero!” Some of Fabiana’s art

7. LIVING IN IRELAND 7
Help! I need a doctor Energy
It is fairly easy to get sick in an Irish winter and
plenty of people do every year. So what do you do saving tips
if you fall ill? And how much can seeing a doctor or Some handy advice to
going to the hospital cost? Read on – SEDA News help you drive down
has got all the answers. those electricity bills
• If you have a Nightsaver tar-
I’m not feeling well – what most GPs charge about €50-€60 per
iff (which means you pay less for elec-
do I do? visit. However, with some private medi-
tricity consumption at night) make
cal insurance policies, you may see a GP
sure you use your washing machine
If you feel unwell your first port of for free so check the terms and condi-
from 11 pm to 8 am (or from midnight
call is the local GP or General Practi- tions on your policy.
to 9 am in the summer) – this will save
tioner. A GP is a doctor who provides A GP can examine you and give a
you a lot of money. The same goes for
health services to people in his or her medical diagnosis based on your symp- most emergencies. charge does not apply to people receiv- using a tumble dryer if you have one.
surgery or in the patient’s home. If you toms. He or she can also give you a pre- ing treatment for prescribed infectious
scription for a medicine that you need.
do not have a Medical Card or a GP
If your condition is serious or you need
What is the difference be- diseases, people who are entitled to • Use the timer on your im-
Visit Card you will have to pay for the hospital services because of EU Regula- mersion heater. This should supply
further medical attention a GP can refer tween “out-patient” and “in-
service. There are no set fees in Ireland tions, women receiving maternity ser- you with enough hot water when you
for GP services so if you wish to check you to a specialist doctor (a consultant) patient”? vices and some other groups. need it and save energy when you
costs, contact the surgery directly. But who works in a hospital. In cases of excessive hardship, the don’t.
If you are feeling only slightly un- Out-patient services include hospital may provide the service free of
GPs near SEDA well you can try and get help in a phar- Emergency Department services and charge. If you have to return for further • Take a shower rather than a
macy. A pharmacist can advise you planned services, for example, spe- visits in relation to the same illness or bath. A typical shower uses only one
what medicine to use. He/she can also cialist assessment by a consultant or accident, you do not have to pay the
Coombe Health Care Centre fifth of the energy of a full bath.
sell it to you if that medicine is available diagnostic assessments such as x-rays, charge again.
Dept Of General Practice Ucd, Dol-
without prescription. Simple medicines laboratory tests and physiotherapy. If
phins Barn, Dublin 8 • Configure your computer
like anti-cough tablets or nasal spray you are referred to out-patient services
Tel.: +353 1 4730893 In-Patient/Day Service to “energy saving” mode. Remember:
are sold without prescription. by a GP then you do not have to pay to
The charge for in-patient/day ser- turning your computer off at night in-
But in order to buy more serious use them.
Rialto Medical Centre vices is €75 per day up to a maximum stead of leaving it on will save on av-
drugs you will have to get a prescrip- If you stay in a public ward in a hos-
478 South Circular Road, Rialto, of €750 in a year. The charge does not erage 25% of its annual energy bill. So
tion from a GP. pital under the care of a consultant for
Dublin 8 apply to people receiving treatment for turn off your computer whenever you
treatment and you remain overnight,
Tel: +353 1 4532147 prescribed infectious diseases, people are not going to use it for more than an
What if I have an accident then you are receiving in-patient ser-
www.rialtomedical.com who are entitled to hospital services hour.
vices. If you do not remain overnight
or become seriously ill? because of EU Regulations, women
you are receiving day services.
Inchicore Family Doctors receiving maternity services and some • Don’t let frost build up in
Primary Care Centre, St Michael’s Anybody in Ireland with a medical other groups. the freezer as this increases energy
Estate, Dublin 8 emergency has the right to attend the How much do hospital ser- In cases of excessive hardship, the consumption. Remember to defrost
www.inchicoredoctors.ie Emergency Department in a hospital. vices cost? hospital may provide the service free of and clean the inside of your refrigera-
A patient visiting the Emergency De- charge. tor and freezer at least every 6 months.
Dr Emer Loughrey & Associates partment will either be treated and sent There are different fees for out-pa-
15 Grattan Crescent, Inchicore, home or will be admitted to a hospital tient and in-patient services. • Check that the refrigerator
Dublin 8 ward as an in-patient. It’s important to door closes tight. To do this insert a
Tel: +353 1 4734030 note that different hospitals in Ireland Out-patient 5 euro note in your fridge halfway
www.inchicoremedical.ie treat different sicknesses and emergen- If you go to the out-patients or For more information log on through and close the fridge – the door
cies, for example, maternity hospitals Emergency Department of a public to: www.livinginireland.ie or should hold it in place. If it doesn’t you
To find doctors near you log on to only treat maternity related emergen- hospital without being referred there by may have to change the door seal or
http://www.icgp.ie/go/find_a_gp cies while general hospitals will treat your GP, you may be charged €100. This
www.citizensinformation.ie get a new fridge...
Surviving Irish Christmas • When cooking put lids on
pots and turn down the heat when the
water starts to boil. The lids not only
Can I go out on Christmas Eve there are no services until Decem- Can I go out on New keep heat in the pot but also reduce
Eve or Christmas Day? ber 26. Most taxis also take a day off Year’s Eve? condensation in the kitchen.
In general, on the evening of so if you need to get somewhere on Yes, you can! Most pubs
Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day make sure to arrange and nightclubs in Dublin will • The oven is expensive to
on Christmas Day (December 25) the your own transport (or try hitchhik- be open on New Year’s Eve and use – so try using it for more than just
whole country takes a day OFF, which ing!) they will be more than happy to one item. Remember: you can cook at
means that nearly everything is closed. have you! There will also be a a higher temperature at the top of the
That includes pubs, restaurants, night- Where do I find Christmas festival called NYE Dublin in you can be arrested and fined, or even
oven, and simultaneously at a lower
clubs, public offices and most shops sales? the city centre, with a colourful pa- temperature at the bottom.
jailed for up to 5 years. If you do like
(but not churches!). Most of these rade, fireworks display and an open- fireworks, though, head to St Stephen’s
places only stay open until about 5 pm air concert. Check out page 9 for more • Do not open the oven door
Christmas sales with offers of up Green on New Year’s Eve – there will
on Christmas Eve and then reopen on details. January 1 is a public holiday, to check cooking – every time you do
to 70 and 80 per cent off usually kick be a special show on at 8 pm.
December 26. So make sure you stock but most shops will be open on that so you lose 20% of the accumulated
start on the morning of December
up on food and other necessities be- day, so there’s no need to worry about heat!
cause otherwise you’ll be stuck with
26 in big stores like Brown Thomas,
buying food in advance.
I partied really hard on New
Marks&Spencer, Next, River Island,
nowhere to go! Also bear in mind that Year’s Eve and don’t remember • The washing cycle selected
PC World and so on. The shops usu-
in Ireland it is illegal to sell alcohol on ally announce sales a few days before Can I light fireworks on anything... what’s going on? on a washing machine should have the
Christmas Day so even if you find a lowest water temperature required for
Christmas. The sales go on until start New Year’s Eve? the items being washed. A full load of
shop that is open you won’t be able to of January or even further, but by the That’s OK! All you need to know
In many countries it’s hard to im- washing is more energy efficient that
buy any drink. end of December 26 most of the best is that classes in SEDA start on Mon-
agine a New Year’s Eve celebration two half loads. Use a cold rinse for
bargains will have been snapped up. day, January 7. When you come in,
without people lighting fireworks, but your clothes.
What about public trans- Some people start queuing late on just grab the January edition of SEDA
in Ireland all fireworks are illegal (ex-
News and you’ll find out all the rest!
port? Christmas Day and spend all night in cept those used by professionals). So
For more tips check out:
The same goes for public trans- front of the shop to get the stuff cheap! if a Garda officer sees you with a fire-
port. After about 9 pm on Christmas work (or even suspects you have one)
www.seai.ie/Power_of_One/

8. 8 GOING OUT
SHOWS & GIGS
THE RUBBERBANDITS
The Academy (57 Middle Ab-
Nollaig Shona!
Do you want to celebrate Christmas like the Irish? Then read on –
bey Street, Dublin 1)
SEDA News has got all the most important local traditions collected
Friday, 14 December
The famous Limerick rappers/ for you on the one page – from the traditional Christmas dinner to
comedians who perform with Christmas Day swim and the so called Women’s Christmas. But be-
plastic bags wrapped around fore you begin you should learn the words Nollaig Shona – Happy
their heads (check out their
Christmas in Irish!
video Horse Outside on You-
Tube!) will play a show in Dub-
lin’s Academy. Tickets 20 euro.
HORSLIPS
Dublin, Olympia Theatre
December 14 & 15
Legendary Irish band will play
The candle in the Christmas
two dates in Dublin this De- window decorations
cember. Tickets: €33.50.
On Christmas Eve many Irish families
The Christmas season in Ireland normally
place a lighted candle in the window of their
GLEN HANSARD house. The candle is a symbol of welcome to
begins on December 8 and finishes on January
Vicar Street Venue, Thomas 6, a day known as Little (or Women’s) Christmas.
Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for
Street, Dublin 8 Wreaths made of holly – a green plant with red ber-
shelter. Centuries ago, when Catholicism was
December 17 & 18 ries – are very common at this time of the year, as
repressed by Ireland’s English overlords,
is another plant called mistletoe. Many people also
Irish musician and star of the the candle also meant that the house was
buy a Christmas tree and decorate it with tinsel,
movie Once will play an in- a safe place for a priest to perform
lights and festive ornaments. Families with
timate gig in Dublin’s Vicar mass.
young children often go even further and
Street. Tickets from €30. surround their houses with figurines of
Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen
ASLAN and elves...
Vicar Street (Dublin 8)
December 27th
The Irish band Aslan are cel-
ebrating 30 years together this
year and they will play mate- Christmas
rial from their new album as dinner
well as old hits such as Crazy
World. Tickets from 25 euro. The feast of Christmas is celebrated in
Ireland with a large meal fit for a king. It is
the biggest meal cooked in a family house-
Midnight Mass
The Dubliners hold out of all meals throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a Church packed
Vicar Street (Dublin 8) Preparations for Christmas dinner usually start
to the rafters look no further that any
December 28, 29 & 30 on Christmas Eve with the slow cooking of
Church in Ireland at midnight mass on
the turkey and preparation of the vegetables For more information about Irish
The legendary Irish tradi- Christmas Eve. This is a huge social gathering
and any other goodies that may come with Christmas log on to::
tional/folk band will perform where family, friends and neighbours who you
the large feast. An Irish Christmas dinner
in Dublin as part of their 50th may not have seen all year come together and
consists of turkey, ham, chicken, stuff- www.irishcentral.com
anniversary tour. Tickets from celebrate Christmas. With Christmas carols
ing, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com
€39.50. being sung and often live music midnight
various vegetables. and www.dochara.com mass in Ireland is a great place to catch
up with old friend and get in touch
GARY BARLOW with the local community at
Dublin, Olympia Theatre Christmas.
January 7, 2013
The British star singer will per-
form in Dublin this coming
January with special guests.
Tickets from €49.65. Little Christmas
Christmas Day swim The Christmas season in Ireland
finishes on January 6, the day known as
DROPKICK MURPHYS On Christmas Day, December 25, many people in Little Christmas or Women’s Christmas
Vicar Street, Dublin 8 Ireland like to do something active in order to burn some (Nollaigh na mBean). Tradition has it that
January 12&13, 2013 of the calories gained the day before during Christmas dinner. women get the day off and the men of the
American band famous for One of the traditions is Christmas day swim. The swims take house get to do the housework, cooking
their song “Shipping up to place all over Ireland on Christmas morning but probably most and take down the Christmas decora-
Boston” is coming to Dublin’s famously at the Forty Foot Rock, just south of Dublin. On Christmas tions. Women meet up have a day
Vicar Street in January. Tickets: Day hundreds of people can be seen jumping off the rock into the out and treat themselves.
Irish Sea wearing only their bathing suits.
€26.90.
The water in the Irish Sea on Christmas Day is usually around 10C
(freezing!!!). Unfortunately the temperature outside the water is
usually about half of this making the experience bracing to
Tickets to all these shows are avail- say the least. This is certainly not for the faint hearted but
able from Ticketmaster outlets. is a proven hangover cure and is participants often
To book by phone call: 0818 719 300 receive sponsorship for charities.
Online booking:
www.ticketmaster.ie