What was CTYI like pre-2003?

Liquorice

Being a newbie, and slightly disappointed with the social aspect of CTYI session 1, 2003, I really want to know what it was like before it went down the drain. I've heard so many stories about other sessions that, despite the fact that I came for the course, not the social aspect, I really was anticipating more. Share the memories with me and the other disappointed newbies.

lordsippa

It was glorious. I dunno it was just a place where people never put other people down. Even the biggest arguments resulted in one side sulking and the other side feeling bad BUT WITHOUT THE FIGHTING IN BETWEEN. It was just nice... a break from the big bad outside world.

The social aspect was cool. But then again, it only was cool when you let go and threw yourself into it. Talking to people is a REALLY good way of getting to know them.

Myself, the atmosphere of my first year 1999 was wonderful but I enjoyed 2000 more cause I broke out of my shell. Oh and Limerick people were always the craziest and oddest people, so try and hunt some down to see if it's still true.

Chimaera

Yeah, the social aspect was really cool. For me the best thing was meeting people that would accept you as the person you were, and not expect you to conform to a stereotype, as was far too often the case for me in school.

There was also a far greater chance of meeting people you something in common with, which was really cool.

And about Limerick people being mad, I would have thought we were no worse than anyone else (at least back in my day anywaY)

*shakes walking stick at the young whippersnappers*

ceewa

ctyi has been a huge part of my life between attending courses as a student and then working with various aspects of the programme over the past coupla years.

the social thing was probably the main part, i've made great friends over the years. some of my friendships go back to '94 and some are from last summer.

it is a place where sometimes you can feel more comfortable and more accepted than in other places, you can meet someone and feel like you've known them for years. you can also meet people that drive you nuts and you hope you never see them again at the end of the three weeks. there is still fighting and bitching and things aren't all wonderful, but sometimes looking back people can forget the more negative things that happened. i think its a bad idea to always look back to other sessions, other years and not put all the effort into what's happening in the present.

it is all about making the effort and it can be easier at ctyi to throw yourself into the social side of things becasue you dont know anyone there and they dont have any idea what you are like in your everyday life outside ctyi.

ctyi probably made me more confidant in myself. made me see that i should be myself and that has made me happier in school, college, work, life in general.

i'm probably rambling now, think i should get back to my thesis

Green Hand Guy

CTYI in 2001 kicked ass socially. Everything seemed so free and everyone was so different. I noticed that in 2002 things started to slip a little and I wasn't there this year so I don't know what's going on now but from making those class photo sheets during work experience I know some people looked pretty shifty.

NeoSlicerZ

In a single word , great.

shep the malevolent pixie

i think it's enough of an explanation of how crap it's got that i didn't go back this year and never will again even though i could.

2000 and 2001 were amazing, some of the best times in my life. i met some of my best friends then...*cough*SVEN*cough*

the social aspect was always one of the most important parts of the thing, i find it absolutely disgraceful that that was the reason you didn't have any fun, Scarlett. the place has gone to the dogs, it seems the spirit has just dissappeared.

*sniff*

limerick people are great. they say "lousy" a lot and attack you with bits of paper and elastic bands. or maybe that's just the ones i know.

Barry Aldwell

It was pornolicious. I mean...well, yeah, it was pornolicious.

stevanavich

i found it fun enough this year. but then again, there seemed to be a collection of, to use RTE's expression, "social retards" that just sat in a common room and watched tv at every social break.
what a waste!
ah well.
their loss.

lordsippa

Yay! Chloe! <dances>

yeah... that's the thing bout ctyi. Not only did I meet some of the most wonderful people i know through it but then through them I've met EVEN MORE of those oh so wonderful people!

It's kinda scary though. It does mean that eventually my entire social group kinda ties together somehow... but still...

Typedef

I went in 1994 and 1995.

'94 was cool.

Lots of wierd (and non-stupid) people.
Lots of Americans, lots of chicks.... oh and some sort of academic thingy.

'95 was also cool... I did some sort of weekend creative writing yoka-a-me-whatsit[1]


[1] Yes that was ironic.