EKC Training student goes on a trip of a lifetime thanks to the Turing Scheme

A student from our Canterbury Training Centre recently joined fellow learners from across East Kent Colleges (EKC) Group for a trip of a lifetime, where they took part in cultural immersion activities and built their sustainability skills in Thailand.  

The trip funded by the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, saw the students kayak on the River Kwai, see wild elephants, visit the Thai king’s palace and an orphanage, attend a religious ceremony, create seed bombs and learn about plastic recycling. 

The students also sampled the local cuisine, helped prepare traditional products and learnt about eco-tourism. 

 “It’s a great opportunity to learn new things I would never have the opportunity to do otherwise. I got to bond with other people, and I have made a whole group of new friends”, commented Dylan from our Training Centre in Canterbury, who attended the trip alongside eight other Students’ Union representatives from the Group’s Colleges in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Sheppey. 

Luke Underdown, Uni Protect Project Officer for EKC Group, and organiser of the trip, said: “From my perspective, I saw Dylan develop in many ways as the trip progressed. He not only took on every new challenge with confidence, but as he became used to opening himself up to new experiences, he made new friends and found his voice.   

“On international trips like this one, students come back with so many great memories and stories which they will cherish forever as well as develop so many soft skills which they can bring back and utilise within their roles back home.” 

The Turing Scheme is a UK Government programme that financially supports students to study and work abroad, enhancing skills, employability, and international experience.  

EKC Group continues to bid for trips to provide these unique opportunities for our students. 

Each year, we aim to hold international trips, which all EKC Group students are eligible to sign-up to. Would you like the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime? Study with us and see where your course could take you.