Students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) in Northern Ireland got their summer off to an early start when they jetted to South Africa on 17-day placements fully funded by the Turing Scheme.
Twelve learners studying catering and hospitality and travel and tourism courses were hosted by Boland College in picturesque Stellenbosch, the world-famous wine producing region, while a group of ten sports students linked up with the charity United Through Sports on a separate trip to Port Elizabeth.
The Stellenbosch group undertook a combination of studies alongside their Boland College counterparts on joint academic projects and/or work placements, tailored to complement their courses while the accompanying SERC teaching team presented lectures on their specialisms to all the students.
Among the highlights were a masterclass from Craig Cormack, renowned South African restaurateur and salt chef, and tutored tastings alongside visits to several wine estates and a tea tasting session with Dilmah tea
During their free time, the group enjoyed numerous once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as visiting the top of Table Mountain by cable car, enjoying a traditional dinner and entertainment in a township, a safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa – where they got to see lions, rhinos, and elephants – and a visit to Cape Point Nature Reserve to see critically endangered Cape Penguins.
David Rea, a 31-year-old Level 3 Professional Chef student from Bangor, said: “It really was the visit of a lifetime.
“From the moment we were so warmly welcomed at the airport by the Boland College team and our guide, we realised we were set for an amazing experience. The itinerary was so well planned to give us a real flavour of the people and culture of South Africa.
“One of the many highlights for me was our visit to one of the townships. These people have so little, but we were welcomed into their community and treated to a spit braai (barbecue) with the most amazing food, including Chakalaka, a kind of vegetable stew, which was delicious.
“The children wore traditional dress and sang and danced. There were poetry readings and everyone – led by our lecturer chef Brian Magill – joined in the dancing. It was emotive and joyous.
“The scenery in South Africa was amazing. The whole experience of being immersed in a different culture has certainly widened my horizons.”
A life-changing, positive impact
Catherine Anderson, Deputy head of school for Travel and Tourism, said: “The impact culturally and the experience of long-haul travel, which most students have not experienced before, has positively impacted each learner and given them the opportunity to explore tourism from a global perspective. They benefitted from living and working abroad and it has enriched their educational journey at SERC.”
In Port Elizabeth, the sports students worked alongside volunteers from the charity United Through Sports to deliver fun activity sessions and more focused sports training to children aged five to 13 in the local townships.
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport student Scarlet Jenkins, from Carrowdore, said: “Seeing how little these young people had and how positive they were, has made me more appreciative of all that we have at home. If they had two bibs and a ball, they got organised for a team sport and just got on with it.
“This was the first long-haul trip I had ever been on, and the first time I had been away from my family. I was a bit apprehensive about going, but more upset about coming home. The whole trip was such an amazing experience and one that has had a life-changing, positive impact on me.”
Alongside their placements, this group also got to enjoy a traditional barbeque and cultural evening hosted by people from one of the townships as well as a boat trip, sand boarding on dunes and a visit to the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Deputy Head of School, Colin Atkinson, who travelled with the party, said: “Our students were struck by the deprivation and everyday struggles of the young people they met.
“The United Through Sport coordinators said the SERC students were the best group they had ever had out there for leading and for getting stuck in. None of the party had been to South Africa before and I am not alone in saying the visit has left a lasting impression on us all.”
The trips were among a number funded by the Turing Scheme undertaken by students from across SERC’s courses and campuses during the 2023 to 2024 academic year, with other placements in South Africa as well as in destinations in Spain and Malta also taking place.
