Student exchange goes virtual with visit to Japan

The live student exchange involved 20 students and teaching staff from SERC’s Level 3 Travel and Tourism course and an International Studies class from Toyama Minami High School.

Amy Glen from Lisburn, a second-year student on the Level 3 Travel and Tourism said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the student exchange. This was a great opportunity which will benefit me in my course. It has made me aware of different cultural experiences and further developed my interest and understanding of students, just like myself, studying in different countries.”

The students were guided to deliver presentations to each other and ask questions to learn more about each other’s cultures.

SERC’s Catherine Anderson, Deputy Head of School, said: “This is a great opportunity to add an international dimension to the Travel and Tourism programmes which will benefit the students understanding of Japanese culture, tourist attractions and develop their communication, research and teamwork skills.”

Claire Henderson, Head of International, Quality, Excellence and Development, added: “SERC have a 13-year long relationship with a number of educational institutions in Japan including Toyama National Institute of Technology and the University of Toyama. This new partnership with Toyama Minami High School builds on those relations and presents many benefits for student exchanges including increased country and culture awareness and improving the digital and communication skills of all the students involved, particularly during this period of online learning.”