Local language school hosts Saudi Arabian culture day
Athlone secondary school Coláiste Chiaráin was the setting for a Saudi Arabian culture day at which students from the country who have been visiting the town spoke proudly of their national heritage.
Hosted by the Athlone-based Shannon Academy of English, which regularly welcomes students to the town from various countries, the well-attended event allowed members of the local community to interact with the Saudi natives and learn more of their history and culture.
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Tariq Alyahya, Director of Wathiq, Tommy Hogan CEO Athlone Chamber, Terry Coffey with students and colleagues from Saudi Arabia at the Shannon Academy of English culture day in Coláiste Chiaráin. Photo: Wathiq.Image 2 of 3
Carmel Gilligan and Caoimhe O’Connell from Shannon Academy of English, and Tommy Hogan, CEO Athlone Chamber, with Mohammad Alsaigh and Abdulrahman Alsamri displaying Saudi souvenirs and headwear at the culture day event.Image 3 of 3
Tommy Hogan CEO Athlone Chamber with Tariq Alyahya Director of “Wathiq”, sampling coffee from Fahad Aloqafyi and Naif Alfahadi at the Shannon Academy of English Saudi culture day in Coláiste Chiaráin recently.School Director of the Shannon Academy of English, Caoimhe O'Connell, said students have been visiting the town from Saudi Arabia for 15 years, and that the culture day event allowed them the opportunity to “show their appreciation” to the people of Athlone.
During the event, numerous stalls were dotted throughout the school at which different aspects of Saudi Arabian culture were discussed with Athlone Chamber of Commerce CEO Tommy Hogan and others in attendance.
“We have been hosting groups from Saudi Arabia for 15 years, and they have all integrated into Athlone life without any issues,” Caoimhe said. The students wanted to show their appreciation in return and the culture day allowed them to do so.
“The students have all had a positive experience with our host families. They find that Athlone is a friendly town, they love the River Shannon, and they can navigate their way around the town without any major concerns.
“We have approximately 20-40 students travelling here from Saudi Arabia every year who stay with their host families for four to six weeks. The experience has been a positive for the Academy.” Established in 2001, the Shannon Academy of English also hosts students from Spain, France, Switzerland and China. for cultural, academic and summer programmes.