Students from Newcastle Business School, part of Northumbria University, are set to travel across four continents as part of a mission to develop underprivileged foreign communities.
The Travel Bursary Scheme, which has been running for three years, assists students with funding to enable them to participate in charitable projects in numerous countries across the world, including Thailand, Vietnam, China, Zambia and Uganda.
Travel Bursary Students 2008
In order to obtain funding, students must identify and cost their individual trips and put forward an application detailing their objectives. Some of the projects to be undertaken will include building homes, teaching in orphanages, and working with underprivileged children.
Caroline Smith, a third year Marketing Management student, who is hoping to go to Bolivia in July, said “I have always been interested in voluntary work overseas, and I knew this would be my last long summer break before graduating next year. This motivated me to start looking for suitable projects I could get involved with and I soon came across the Bosco Volunteer Action BOVA, a volunteering organisation of the Salesians of Don Bosco which is doing fantastic work in over 120 countries.
“When I heard about the travel bursary scheme I thought it was fantastic! The financial aid enables you travel to places which otherwise would have been too expensive, giving you the opportunity to travel to and experience the poorest developing countries in which voluntary work is most needed.
“I am really looking forward to working in the orphanage; it will be so rewarding and enjoyable working with the children. Every day will be a challenge but I will gain skills and experience I couldn’t have received anywhere else.”
Final year Marketing Management student Martin Gray, who last year took part in the scheme, said “Thanks to the Newcastle Business School travel bursary I had the privilege to spend one month in Uganda in East Africa, to help a children’s charity called Abaana.
“This was a great chance to develop my leadership skills as I was given the responsibility of co-leading a team of 17 young people from the UK and Finland. It was a challenging and emotional experience and amazing to see the impact a team of people could have in one short month. I enjoyed it so much that I’m going back again this year”
Principal Lecturer, Ron Beadle, who runs the scheme, said “This is a tremendous opportunity for a wonderful group of young people. They will have a real impact helping others who are less fortunate than themselves whilst also learning about managing in difficult conditions. These are valuable lessons that they can bring back to aid them in their own careers.”
Date posted: 28.07.08