Students from North Shropshire College and Walford College have returned from an unforgettable educational visit to Thailand as part of the Global Citizenship Programme delivered by Challenges Abroad.
The two-week programme took students to Mae Sariang and Chiang Mai. During the visit, they built confidence, independence, teamwork skills and global awareness through teaching placements, cultural experiences and wildlife conservation work.
This international opportunity helps students grow personally and professionally while gaining practical skills that support future careers and university progression.
Teaching English and Supporting Thai Communities
During the first week, students worked in a local Thai school teaching spoken English to young learners. They planned lessons in groups and delivered engaging classroom activities designed to improve communication and confidence.
The teaching placement helped students to:
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Develop leadership and communication skills
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Experience working in a different culture
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Build confidence in public speaking
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Support international community projects
Outside the classroom, students enjoyed cultural visits, temple tours, local markets and community clean-up projects. Evening reflection sessions helped them understand their progress and recognise the personal and professional skills they were developing.
Faye, Student Services Manager, said the programme creates lasting change:
“I have supported this trip for the past two years, and it is an incredible experience to be part of. What stands out most is the remarkable change you see in students throughout the programme.
They arrive excited but nervous and unsure of what to expect. By the end, their confidence, independence and sense of responsibility have grown enormously.
Watching them step outside their comfort zones, work together and engage with new cultures is truly inspiring. Opportunities like this have a lasting impact and help students develop resilience and valuable life skills.”
Wildlife Conservation at Elephant Nature Park
In the second week, students travelled to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai for a hands-on wildlife conservation experience.
The sanctuary is a world-renowned ethical elephant rescue centre founded by Saengduean Chailert. It focuses on animal welfare, protection and conservation rather than tourism entertainment.
Students lived and worked on site while supporting important conservation tasks, including:
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Preparing food for rescued elephants
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Maintaining habitats and park facilities
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Supporting environmental projects
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Observing elephants in a safe and ethical setting
This immersive experience helped learners understand global conservation challenges while developing responsibility, teamwork and independence.
Ashley, Lecturer in Sport, described the visit as highly rewarding:
“I was excited to support 20 learners from Walford and North Shropshire College on the Global Citizenship Programme. I have taken students on many visits over the years, but this has been the most rewarding both personally and professionally.
The personal growth shown by many learners was outstanding. Some had very little travel experience before visiting such a culturally diverse country. It was wonderful to see the strong bonds formed between learners, staff and local communities.
Some students became very attached to the children they supported in English workshops, and it was emotional saying goodbye. Others thrived at the sanctuary, helping to care for 123 rescued Asian elephants and meeting Lek, a truly inspirational conservation leader.
I feel honoured to have been part of such a valuable experience.”
Students Describe a “Life-Changing” Experience
Olivia, a T Level Animal Care and Management student, said the trip exceeded all expectations:
“Where do I begin? I went into this trip with high expectations, but it exceeded every one of them. From day one, I felt my perspective, confidence and outlook begin to change.
I developed leadership, communication and confidence skills I didn’t know I had. The friendships I built meant so much to me, and there was a strong sense of family throughout the trip.
I will not just remember the places we visited, but the person I became along the way.”
Frankie, studying Level 3 Equine Management, added:
“This was one of the best experiences of my life. I spent two incredible weeks travelling, volunteering with children, working with elephants, making new friends and gaining confidence. It was eye-opening and gave me memories that will last a lifetime.”
Preparing Students for Global Careers
International learning experiences like this help students develop essential employability skills, including:
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Communication
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Leadership
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Teamwork
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Problem solving
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Cultural awareness
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Independence
North Shropshire College and Walford College are committed to providing meaningful educational travel opportunities. These experiences enrich learning, strengthen university applications and prepare students for successful global careers.
The Global Citizenship Programme continues to inspire students to step outside their comfort zones, broaden their horizons and gain experiences that stay with them long after college.
To find out more about college life at HLNSC, visit: hlnsc.ac.uk