Amazing and incredible are two words one University of Northampton (UON) student uses to describe an overseas study opportunity,
Harry Borg, from Northampton, is in the final year of his BA in Primary Education and has enhanced his educational experience and professional future after an international placement with 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 University of Northampton offer to undergraduates.
With Turing, students can enhance their career prospects and gain a global perspective on the world and the University can confirm it is extending the Turing Scheme to the 2026/2027 academic year.
Harry sets the scene: “This final year has flown by, and I am currently on a very enjoyable placement which has reassured me why I chose this course and why I want to teach. I enjoy the placements the most as this is how I am truly able to develop as a teacher.
“I have enjoyed my placements in UK schools, so the Turing Scheme was an opportunity I simply could not turn down! It was the chance to travel to the other side of the world (my first time) and gauge insight as to what teaching is like in another country.”
Harry was placed at King’s College Bangkok for a game-changing experience. He continues: “During my time there, I met many incredible people who were able to help me and provide me with plenty of knowledge of how to adapt and build on my ability to teach.
“The school days started early, but we had the evenings to ourselves. I was eager to make the most of them in this unbelievable city; the culture is amazing and there is so much to see.
“I made many visits to the different themed shopping malls (which are enormous), Thai restaurants, tourist attractions and I even went on a solo adventure to a museum which is shaped like an elephant!”
Harry is now back in the county completing his final placement. He has words of wisdom for other UON students thinking about applying for the Turing Scheme: “It’s natural to feel a little scared about going on a trip away from family, friends and your creature comforts, but you will bond with the other students and make new friendships. Experiencing what I did and building new relationships was an incredible pleasure.
“I also feel that the teachers I met allowed me to have a great insight to what they have achieved and enabled me to be inspired by their stories and help me grow as a teacher and a human!”
Find out more about Education degrees at University of Northampton.