Twelve education agents representing companies in China, Indonesia, Thailand, Poland, Russia and Vietnam have been given a tour of some of central England’s study highlights, thanks to member organisation English UK and the British Council.
It designed an “inward mission” that took the delegates – all of whom promote study in the UK to their clientele – to visit members in Cambridge, Loughborough, Nottingham, Tenbury Wells and Birmingham. They kicked off their tour with a mini-workshop in London, and flew out of Birmingham after staying at boutique hotel, Hotel du Vin, and having a second mini-workshop with regional members.
Now back in their home countries, delegates are reporting that the trip has already meant they are not so polarised when advising students. After her return to Thailand, Issaree Klugnark from The Gate Education Group said, “Before this trip I only knew about London. I have already sent a student to Birmingham!”
Delegates took time out of their visiting schedule to play a classic British pastime: table football
Institutions visited included Cambridge Academy and Cambridge Regional College, Loughborough Regional College and ILS English in Nottingham as well as St Michael’s College and Birmingham City College – a real range of providers.
At St Michaels College, agents enjoyed eating lunch made with vegetables from the school’s own garden, served in their ‘Harry-Potter-like’ dining room. In Nottingham, the showcase included the opportunity to observe lessons, followed by perhaps the most memorable sightseeing element of the week, a guided walking tour of the city lead by Robin Hood himself.
Kamila Karwowska from AM Consulting & Education, Poland, enthused, “Visiting schools gives important insight and knowledge… This has been an extremely valuable experience which I can share with my clients.”
English UK plans to hold the next inward mission in October 2012 with agents from Central, Southern and Eastern Europe.
