Overseas students enjoy days out

International students, who will soon be starting on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the College, were welcomed to the UK last month.

Students who came to the College for the Summer English Programme took part in a variety of trips and visits, including a day out at the Black Country Museum, to help introduce them to their new surroundings and each other.

Each week there was a study visit linked to work covered in their classes, giving students the opportunity to see the local area, use their new language skills and experience the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry in the West Midlands.

The trip to the Black Country Museum gave them the chance to relive the West Midlands' industrial heritage by visiting period shops and industrial units, a Victorian school and an old fairground.

They also took part in a trip along the adjacent canal, where some of the students were able to experience the old practice of legging - moving a canal boat along the water, using only their feet against the tunnel wall.

The 45 students also visited Birmingham's museum and cathedral, the towns of Lichfield and Stratford-upon-Avon, Samuel Johnson’s House, the Pen Museum, Warwick Castle and Alton Towers.

Language Support Co-ordinator Jenny Hendy said: "They have all done well and are now ready to progress onto their courses. Most of them were Masters students, so they were very familiar with the academic world, but for many of them it was their first time in the UK.

"Lecturers will often use local examples in the hospitality and tourism industry and the students will now have a better idea of what they are referring to. It also gave them experience with their spoken English, dealing with different situations and different accents."

The Summer English Programme concluded this week with a celebratory meal for the students, who will begin studying their Masters or Degree programmes next month.