New international programmes give students a global perspective
Swansea University students have been given the opportunity of a lifetime this summer with visits to either China or India on pilot study and work programmes organised through the University’s International Office.
The month-long programmes form part of the University’s new internationalisation strategy, which aims to enhance the student experience, improve career prospects and develop the University’s international links.
Earlier this Summer, sixteen undergraduate and postgraduate students, mostly from the UK, flew to Bangalore as part of the Study in India pilot programme, combining lectures at a partner college, St Joseph’s College of Commerce, with voluntary work at a rural development centre and with city-based charities. The University has also developed a work placement scheme to build links with the many multinational companies that have their offices in Bangalore.
The Study in China programme is being undertaken by 28 students selected from the 75 who have been taking extra-curricular Mandarin classes at the University.
The students have been given the chance to experience Chinese language and culture at one of three Chinese universities, Chongqing Technology and Business University, the University of Shandong at Weihai and Heilongjiang University in the northern city of Harbin.
Two PhD students, Adam Holder and Bobby Tsang, both materials engineering PhD students at Swansea spent three weeks in May at Chongqing Technology and Business University. Bobby Tsang said: “The Study in China programme was quite simply the single greatest experience I have had at University. The three weeks that I spent in Chongqing exposed me first hand to day to day life in both urban and rural China.
As a direct result of this study, I have made plans to return to China to learn more about the people and country. My experience has been so positive that, at some point, I am keen to pursue my future career in China.”
Gilly Rollason is studying for her Master’s degree in Social Research after completing a BA in International Relations at Swansea. Gilly recently flew out to Bangalore on the Study in India programme.
She said: “My interest in India stemmed from my undergraduate studies at Swansea which featured a course on Indian history and nationalism. I have always wanted to travel to the region and experience the culture, architecture and environment. I am looking forward to living and working in the city, experiencing the educational system and gaining an insight into the lives of students and other people living in Bangalore. India is a country with strong links to the UK and I’m looking forward to better understanding a country that has literally shaped our lives and continues to do so.”
Shelley Matthews, International Project Officer at Swansea University and Pauline McDonald, Head of Careers at Swansea are also currently in India as part of the visits.
Pauline will be visiting companies to develop work experience opportunities for Swansea students and graduates. She is working with Priti Kotecha, a Swansea University graduate who is based in Bangalore and has extensive contacts with large international employers.
Pauline said: “Work experience provides enormous benefits for students seeking employment. We are confident that this innovative scheme will provide significant advantages for Swansea students and graduates. Swansea University is also committed to helping international students find employment on graduation. Work experience with premium employers will help give our students the winning edge in an increasingly competitive global job market.”
Ramya Mohan Rah is studying MEng Computing at Swansea University. She is the first student to gain a place on the India work placement programme and is currently working at GE Healthcare in Bangalore.
She said: “With the internship at GE Healthcare I have been given the chance to work on one of the best clinical management systems in the world. This has given me in-house experience in understanding and witnessing the various stages of system development like prototyping, coding and testing. I feel the experience is sure to enhance my career prospects in the future.”
Sian Impey, Internationalisation Development Manager, said: “We are really excited to be able to offer these new international opportunities to our students. We hope that as well as having the trip of a lifetime, participating students will develop skills and a global perspective which will last them a lifetime, equipping them for employment in an increasingly globalised world.”