This project involves hosting four volunteers from Germany, Czech Republic and Spain in Mol an óige Steiner national school in Ennistymon, Co Clare. The volunteers will begin their placement in September 2014 and end it in June 2015. During the placement the volunteers will live initially with four separate host families until they settle into their positions and the local community, they will then be given the opportunity to move into self catering accommodation in the local town, usually around December. This way they get to experience life in an Irish family and then living independently amongst themselves in the wider community. They will be a part of the school team which is comprised of teachers and SNAs. They will work in the school from 9.00 a.m. until 3.30p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Wednesdays they will attend the staff meeting at which upcoming festivals and activities and events of the week ahead in the school are discussed. These meetings are also used to discuss various teaching methodologies and possible upcoming projects and ideas. The volunteers will experience a Waldorf approach to education which places great emphasis on the arts and the environment. They will be involved in setting up activities for the children with the class teacher. They will work with individuals/groups of children on different subjects such as reading, drawing, maths, painting and so on. This year the school has also introduced a program of exercises that are provided to all the younger children in the school and to the children who receive learning support in the older classes. These exercises are of huge benefit to the children both emotionally and academically. The volunteers will assist the children in these exercise programmes. They will be involved in the supervision of the children in the yard at break times. They will accompany the class on nature and discovery walks alongside the teacher. The volunteers will not be expected to act as a substitute for a teacher or an SNA However it is hoped that they will share their knowledge and talents with the children through storytelling,games,arts and craft activities, music lessons etc. The volunteers will also be asked to share a story from their country at assembly where the whole school gathers together on monday mornings, this while encouraged is also optional. The school also runs a charity shop which helps to fund the running costs of the school. The volunteers will be asked to do a couple of hours a week in helping out in the charity shop, which also helps them to integrate more fully into the community through more interactions with the local community. In the evenings/at weekends the volunteers will get to experience the rich and varied culture and heritage that is so much a part of Co. Clare. Ennistymon is an old market town and still hosts two traditional fairs each year. There is a teach ceoil in the town which hosts traditional music events such as concerts and ceilis. There are many sights and visitor attractions along the coast of Clare which are a short drive from Ennistymon. The school itself has events on some evenings and weekends which the volunteers will be invited to attend. Our previous volunteers were involved in the local musical production and sporting activities and also involved in Traditional music sessions and Open Mic nights, all of which are held locally in the town. It is envisaged that the volunteers will gain valuable insight and experience into education and the development of young children. By gaining first hand practical experience it will also increase their likelihood of securing employment in the country which is home to them. It will increase the volunteers linguistic skills through speaking the local language throughout the year at school, within their host family and within the community and by availing of the on-line linguistic support. On a personal level, the volunteers will have the experience of living in a different country with a different language and culture. It is an opportunity for huge personal growth as their self-confidence and sense of self will develop from taking on the challenge of working and living in a community different to their own. The children will also have the opportunity to learn about the country and culture of the volunteer, thus in doing do allowing them to cultivate a broader interest in different cultures. The school is multidenominational and welcomes such opportunities. Mol an Oige Steiner NS, has been described by many as a school were both staff and pupils are very warm, friendly and embracing thus with this attitude it is a wonderful setting for potential volunteers to take ten months out of their life and experience a year of profound personal development in an intercultural setting.