Abdulkerim Kurgas (BIE2023 winner)
Gimnazija "Visoko"
Visoko, Bosnia
Abdulkerim had to choose an alternative course within the EU as a main prize, as he was unable to obtain a Canadian visa from Bosnia:
"When I arrived in Dublin, my host family welcomed me warmly. They were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. From the start, it felt like they genuinely cared about my experience in Ireland.
On my first city tour, I was stunned. Dublin looked both modern and medieval at the same time, with a charm that’s hard to put into words. The city is incredibly walkable. I never once needed the tram or a bus. Strolling through its streets felt like stepping into a fairytale, and even the famously gloomy weather somehow added to the atmosphere.
The most impressive sight for me was the Samuel Beckett Bridge. What amazed me was how its lighting changes almost every night, often to celebrate global events.
My course at the Dublin Cultural Institute was another highlight. The teaching style and approach of the instructors made learning genuinely enjoyable. Since the Institute is located right in the heart of the city, it was easy to explore after classes.
This opportunity meant a lot to me. Coming from a small country, I don’t often get to travel to places like Dublin. The whole experience showed me that hard work truly does pay off."
Barbora Boulova
Gymnazium Christiana Dopplera
Prague, Czech Republic
"My stay in Canada was not only the greatest adventure of my life, but also the biggest introspective challenge I have ever gone through. I was very afraid, because school can never really prepare you for real conversations with native speakers. Despite that, in just two days after my arrival I found myself talking to everyone I met on the street and I got to befriend people I never would have even met back in the Czech Republic. I learned a bit about how the world outside of Europe works, but more importantly I learned a lot about myself, what I'm capable of and just how much I can accomplish on my own." (Best BIE 2021 Student in the Czech Republic)
