UK Summer Tour June 2014
We would like to thank the parents and the students who participated in our 1st UK Summer Tour that was held from 12 to 20 June 2014. We were very excited about this tour and did our best to ensure the students gain good insights on what it takes to study in the UK, the way lessons are taught in classes, accommodation facilities, public transports experiences and having conversations with current Malaysian students there. No summer tour will be complete without visiting iconic places in UK, journey through the sights and sounds of both the small towns and metropolitan London and of course, not forgetting shopping sprees too!
The programmes started the moment we touched-down at London Heathrow Terminal 4, and travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland via British Airways at Terminal 1. Belfast was an eye opener to the students, and also a first INTO Centre for them. Staying at Elm Village, the Queen’s University Belfast student accommodation gave them a taste on how University life is like. They enjoyed the Malaysian night with some of the Malaysian students studying there and even played basketball with them. The Segway experience was the highlight of the journey before we departed to Birmingham.
The classic Birmingham city was a stop before we travel to visit University of Gloucestershire and INTO Gloucestershire. Well known as a countryside university with 2 campuses based in Cheltenham and one in the city of Gloucester. The trip to Cheltenham also included a visit to the famous Cheltenham Food Festival and a visit to the Harry Potter Trail at Gloucester Cathedral. Students had fun attending English classes and experiencing English programmes with other students as well.
Travelling by train from Bristol to London is a journey to remember where our students had the opportunity to see British family dressing-up for the Epsom Downs Racecourse. Upon arrival at Paddington Station, our students began to have a feel of staying in a big city. Travelling to Mile Ends and staying at Scape Living is an experience that will be remembered by them – the rooms were so pretty!
Our students then participated in a few classes including Physics, Marketing and Study Skills to familiarise themselves with the Foundation programme at INTO London. Students also went for bowling night and of course shopping at Westfield Stratford City, a huge mall with all kinds of merchandise to choose from.
The students were then brought to visit INTO City and City University London, and CASS Business School the next day. At INTO City, our students were given lessons on Communication Studies with interactive learning methods i.e. using iPad-aided study technology. We can’t believe we made video presentation in less than 15 min.
They had the opportunity to tour London, starting with The London Eye, and London Hop On-and-Off experience. A tour to Buckingham Palace is a must! They also attended the St Paul Cathedral and the choir performance at 5pm.
After saying goodbye to our host, INTO London, we ended our tour with a visit to Bicester Village and departed for Heathrow London at night. The journey back was exhausting but fun and full of memories. Most of the students have signed up to study in UK for their September 2014 intake after the tour while others will be joining their friends in September 2015 this year.
A lot of efforts was put in this summer tour, from coordinating the tour with respective Universities, organizing the accommodation, travelling via the train, buses, tube and international and domestic flights and U18 arrangement for many of these students – it was tough but worth it for a kind of experiences that the student will never forget.
We are looking forward to organising the upcoming UK Summer Tour 2015, this time focusing on A-Level programme and meeting students from outside of Malaysia. If you are interested to be part of this very exciting and informative tour, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call +6088 727802.
