Seeing the world: Bishop Burton College students enjoy life-changing study tours
‘PROFOUNDLY POSITIVE’: Students from Bishop Burton College in South Africa
By Rick Lyon
Students from Bishop Burton College have enjoyed incredible experiences on life-changing study tours across the world.
Animal Management students have visited South Africa, Sport students have been to Sydney, and Business and Travel and Tourism students have had a trip to Seville.
The Level 3 students enjoyed two weeks of living, studying and taking part in hands-on work experience placements in the foreign locations.
The college, near Beverley, was awarded funding from Erasmus+, Gap Africa Projects and the Turing Scheme for the trips.
Activities the students enjoyed ranged from tracking jackals and elephants on foot using telemetry in South Africa, to surfing masterclasses in Sydney and exploring ancient burial tombs in Carmona, in the province of Seville.
STUDY TOUR: Business and Travel and Tourism students in Seville
The Animal Management students headed to the Nambiti Hills and Zingela game reserves in South Africa to enjoy amazing interactions with the wildlife.
They carried out anti-poaching activities, learned how to track animals in the wild, conducted surveys to identify which species were living in specific areas, worked with local Zulu communities, and cleared animal enclosures for new species arriving on the reserves. They also saw hippo, black rhino, porcupines and lions.
Clare Chaffe, Head of Animal Science at Bishop Burton, said: “The exposure to local culture, food and simply sleeping underneath the stars in the South African bush was unforgettable.
“Accompanying students on these voyages into the new and unknown are so rewarding, as you can see the hugely positive impact they have on them – raising their aspirations, boosting their confidence and giving them the desire and ambition to achieve more from life.”
The Sport contingent headed to the Southern Hemisphere and enjoyed spectacular views of the Australian coast.
EXPERIENCE: Animal Management students in South Africa
Their schedule included masterclasses in basketball, MMA and surfing. They were also able to practice their own coaching by working with local junior football teams. In their downtime they enjoyed beach volleyball, surfing and beachside barbecues.
Business and Travel and Tourism students enjoyed work experience placements in Seville with walking, bicycle and Segway tour companies, language schools and at iconic landmarks such as the Las Setas de Semas.
Head of General Further Education at the college, Mike Ridley, said: “Funding programmes like these enable students to develop key industry skills in preparation for their next steps after college, in a way that has a profoundly positive effect on them.
“In many cases it will be their first time abroad or away from home, and their participation in work placements in new and different cultures brings a fresh perspective to their studies.
“The importance and value of such experiences cannot be understated. During their time away and on their return home we can see the incredibly beneficial impact these trips have building students’ confidence levels and enthusiasm to work hard towards their future careers.”