Last week a student from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Dolgellau, was given the opportunity to experience working in the European Parliament, Brussels, in the office of Plaid Cymru MEP, Jill Evans.

Manon Jones is in her second year of sixth form college, studying French, History and law. She applied for the placement as she wanted to experience using French in a working environment and to gain a better understanding of the current situation in Europe.

Talking of her week in Brussels, Manon said,

“This opportunity to see what happens inside one of the most important institutions in Europe has been a fascinating one. I've been able to sit in on many interesting and diverse meetings, and it was great to see the different opinions and the amount of research which lie behind the issues which affect us here in Wales. In the Agricultural Committee I was able to not only hear the view of every EU nation on a subject of great importance to us in Wales, but also experience the role of interpreters in the Parliament and their use of simultaneous translation.

It was fantastic to hear so many different languages being spoken in the same room and hear them translated immediately. I was able to take advantage of this by listening to many of the discussions in French, which has certainly been beneficial. I would like to thank Ms. Evans for giving me this amazing opportunity and to Sara Davies and Sara Medi for giving me such a warm welcome. It was brilliant to experience life in the such a diverse city, and I hope to return to Brussels soon.”

Jill Evans MEP, who is also President of Plaid Cymru, said,

“It was great to have Manon over in Brussels this week, and I really hope she enjoyed the experience. As she is interested in languages, it was extremely beneficial for her to be in the European Parliament and hear all of the European languages being used. It’s good to see young people take such an interest in politics, especially with the current economic crisis in Europe and the need for Wales to have a strong voice. I hope Manon’s interest in European issues continues, and I wish her all the best as she starts her University studies next year.”

Diwedd/Ends.