German meatballs, Polish Bigos and Indian Curry

Sandra Hamilton

Ireland has become a multicultural country and Douglas Community School reflects this modern Ireland. We are a Community School in name but also in ethos. Students from 23 different countries studied in our school this year. It only seemed right to organize an International Day. Teachers, students and parents from Ireland, Poland, Germany, Russia, Latvia, India, Hungary, Nigeria etc. organised music, food and film events. Some of our students taught their languages to Irish teachers and students, and know one can hear greetings such as ‘Guten Tag’, ‘tschest’ and ‘strastwuitje’ whenever a non- Irish national student is spotted.

Talking to the students I realise that the day has not only filled bellies, but also heads. Everybody learned something about a different culture today. Be it even that German meatballs are almost as good as their Russian counterparts!