From Bradford to Bangkok

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel across the world and learn from a new culture has been offered to students in an international study programme.

The Turing Scheme has offered Bradford College almost £80,000 to enable Hospitality, Sports and Beauty students to travel to Thailand.

In total, 28 learners and five members of staff will travel to Thailand for two weeks. They are funded by the scheme through Ecorys and British Council,

An unforgettable experience

Students will learn more about beauty and Thai massage. There will also be seven days of practical tuition in Thai cuisine. Massage students will have the chance to visit a temple and a herbal compression workshop for massage students. Meanwhile, catering students will visit meat, vegetable and fish markets.

Ahead of the trip, a Thai tutor will visit the college to tell students. They will tell them about this opportunity and talk to them about Thai massage and cooking. There will also be a visit to a temple to learn more about local culture.

Bradford College’s Projects Team successfully bid for the £78,985 funding. This team supports departments to apply for funding for learning opportunities.

Projects Team Leader Pam Sheldon said: “Our activities aim to provide valuable and marketable skills to improve employability. It will also give our students experience of the global economy and support their confidence in the global market.

Learning from the masters

“The activities in Thailand provide skills courses from some of the best lecturers and masters in the fields of Thai cuisine and Oriental Health and Beauty.”

The college has a long-standing partnership with Suan Dusit University in Bangkok, and its chef lecturer staff, who will support Hospitality students, are in the top three in Thailand.

Beauty students will also learn from tutors who are experts in their subject. Pam added: “Both these activities will give our students a certified course with new skills and a competitive edge in the local employment market.”

Personal development

As well as skills for global employment, the visit will support the personal development of students through international engagement. Pam added: “Our students will have the opportunity to study with students of the same age and ability in Thailand around a skills area that they both have a passion and interest in. We also look forward to them receiving tuition from Thai tutors, who have a different and very supportive approach to teaching and assessment.”

Learners will view temples, meet Buddhist monks and will learn how cuisine and massage are related to the religion. Pam explained: “This holistic approach to living is a very different mindset from Western culture. This engagement will enrich students’ lives, and they will be able to discuss it with the Thai students they meet.

“We completely support the Turing Scheme and are really excited about the opportunities it will offer them.”

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