“I wanted to challenge myself…I really wanted to test myself to have this experience teaching abroad.”
One University of Northampton (UON) education student has increased her confidence and critical skills through an overseas teaching trip.
Millie Gaskin – from Leicester – is in the final year of her degree in Primary Education. Her course involves placements in local schools, but she took full advantage of an opportunity to gain a more international perspective on education and teaching.
Millie went to the Bangkok Patana British International School in Thailand thanks to the Turing Scheme.
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global program that funds international study and work placements for UK students, apprentices, and trainees.
The student experience, including overseas placements, is at the heart of what the University of Northampton offers to undergraduates.
With Turing, students can enhance their career prospects and gain a global perspective on the world; the University is extending the scheme to the 2026/2027 academic year.
Millie picks up her story about why she signed up for the Turing Scheme: “I wanted to challenge myself. I had already visited Thailand and loved the country, so when the opportunity with Turing arose, I wanted to test myself to have this experience teaching abroad. This was not only for the teaching experience, but the life experience, of meeting new people, exploring new places and uncovering the ways in which different schooling systems work.
“During the placement, I worked in a Year 4 class and had the opportunity to teach some of their core lessons. During this experience, I also had the opportunity to follow the children around their school days, where they were taught by different expert teachers for their wider curriculum lessons. This was very beneficial for my own teaching and understanding of these wider curriculum subjects.
“If another student wasn’t 100 per cent sure of applying for a Turing Scheme placement, I would advise letting them know how I felt. It was such an ‘out of the ordinary’ experience, as I was stepping outside my comfort zone, but I overcame this initial uncertainty because the experience and lessons you take away are so valuable.”
Find out more about the Turing Scheme and other overseas study opportunities at University of Northampton.
Find out more about Education degrees at University of Northampton.