Chinese visit part of sixth form mission to help students to become ‘global citizens’
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A group of around 30 students from Beijing visited Abbeygate Sixth Form College and took part in a cultural exchange.
They toured the educational establishment based on Western Way in Bury St Edmunds before taking part in a chemistry lesson.
Learners from Abbeygate and China then travelled to Cambridge for a look around the city before wrapping up the day with some traditional fish and chips.
The Chinese party were being looked after by an organisation called World City Links and this was the first time that a group from this organisation had travelled to the UK since Covid created a global lockdown back in January 2020.
On this visit Julian Vennis – the Director of World City Links said: “We have had thousands of teachers and students from China coming to the UK over a period of many years. I think it’s important they meet English students and vice versa. Cultural exchange is vital.
“This was our first visit from China since Covid and it has been absolutely fantastic. The long term aim is to get students from Abbeygate going to Beijing.”
Ching Ziqi, 15, from Beijing was one of the guests at Abbeygate. Ching said: “I think the class (at Abbeygate) was very good. I want to study abroad in the future. This visit has been interesting. England is very beautiful and historic.”
Nadine Payne is the Group Director for careers, progression and development for the Eastern Education Group. Nadine said: “This connection came about via our links to the Turing Scheme. This scheme has enabled hundreds of our students to travel to places like Brazil, India, Korea and Thailand. We were due to go to China but then Covid stopped us from doing so – therefore it’s great we were able to host a visit on this size and scale.
“Our guests were able to get to see how the British school system works and work alongside some of our students. Our ethos is all about preparing our students and helping them become global citizens. If they take part in activities in their local and global communities, they have different experiences and make good connections that can help them in the future.”
Samrina Bahadar, 17, from Newmarket took part in the visit. The Abbeygate A level student said: “It’s gone well. I think it opens your eyes to different opportunities and makes you more interested in other cultures.”
Emma Tunstill is the Head of STEM at Abbeygate Sixth Form College. Emma said: “Our students worked well with the students from China.
“Visits like this are fantastic. They open up student’s eyes in terms of what the world has to offer.
“The more we understand other cultures – the more we are able to understand each other – therefore this ultimately can help international relations,” she added.
