Sixteen catering students and 14 beauty therapy students from South Essex College were lucky enough to be chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Thailand.
They experienced all that Thailand and the culture has to offer with excursions to floating markets, temples, the palace, beaches, elephant sanctuaries, and a trip to a local orphanage.
The catering students completed a Traditional Thai Culinary Course – Level 3 at the Suan Dusit International Culinary School in Bangkok, and the beauty students studied Thai Massage at the Chiva Som Academy in Bangkok, the course is certified by CIBTAC.
South Essex College Group aim to “change lives through learning” and the Turing Scheme allowed learners to do this. It will now be an annual scheme that South Essex College Group will bid for to allow more students the opportunity to travel the world and learn.
While in Bangkok they had an emotive trip to meet children at a local orphanage had a big impact on the students.
They had the chance to play games with the young children and find out more about them and help with lunchtime. There was lots of laughter and playing and they all had a lovely time.
The students got to get up close to some magnificent elephants and find out more about them.
A bracing dip in a lake saw the youngsters having fun and embracing all there was to enjoy on the overseas adventure.
The trip was supported and in partnership with World City Links and government.
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer their students, learners, and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.
Cherie Brightwell, deputy college principal, said: “The students have had a great time and learnt so much. They were upset that the course had to come to an end. The Thai staff at Suan Dusit Culinary school have been so amazing, patient and kind and our students have made memories for life. The hospitality has been phenomenal.”
The catering students graduated their Thai Cuisine Level 3 and were rewarded with a gift from the university, the beauty students passed with flying colours, and all received their CIBTAC certified Level 3 Thai Massage.
Cherie added: "I am immensely proud of them and how hard they worked, they have built relationships, leadership skills and industry work experience. It has been a pleasure to watch them all grow in confidence, skills, focus and passions. Huge well done!”
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