Muireann Deeof Coláiste Iosagáin, in Co Dublin, describes taking part in an exhilarating media course at Gael Linn

Looking back on transition year, the week I spent at Gael Linn, doing a media course through Irish, was probably one of the best weeks of the year. I arrived at its offices on Dame Street in Dublin not knowing what to expect. On the first day we were given a general introduction to the media, including newspapers and radio. The staff at Gael Linn then set us two tasks: to direct a short film and to produce a radio show, both in Irish.

In our first brainstorming session for the movie, ideas were a little low, but after lunch our tongues loosened and the storyboard began coming together. It was when the decision was made to make a horror movie about a murderous journalist that the work began in earnest. From the beginning we were completely in charge of our production. We wrote, directed, filmed, edited and acted in our own mini-masterpieces. We were shown how to record, then sent on to the streets to film.

My group filmed on Dame Street and in the Gael Linn building. By the end of the week I had a new respect for actors and directors. I never realised how much thought, preparation and work goes into each shot.

Easily the best part of our second task, producing the radio show, was the vox pop. After preparing a list of suitably crazy questions, we marched on to Grafton Street and stopped passers-by to ask questions such as "What fruit or animal would you compare yourself to and why?" and "Which celebrity do you dislike and why?" They generated some interesting answers, to say the least.

We were surprised by the amount of Irish we found on the streets. Though some people we asked struggled with full conversation, most made an effort with their cúpla focal.

We recorded the radio show at the end of the week in Raidió na Life. I felt terribly professional as I put on my gigantic headphones and waited for the all-clear from the sound desk, so I could introduce the show as presenter. It included a chat about the James Bond film Casino Royale and a discussion of the latest celebrity gossip. We played the finest cuts from our vox pop, and our playlist included Razorlight, The Kooks and - everybody's favourite artist on the show - Justin Timberlake.

I gained so much from the course. I now know how to operate a camera and use film-editing software. Perfecting the look and the pleading voice that make people answer your vox-pop questions without a second thought took some work, but I did it. In the same week I got to be a radio presenter and a film director. It was a great opportunity, and I would highly recommend the experience.

My TY is looking for submissions from transition-year students. Just write a 500-word article about anything you like. It can be a feature piece about something you are doing or planning to do in transition year, or an opinion piece on a subject you feel strongly about. E-mail it with your name, your school's name and a contact telephone number to myty@irish-times.ie