Following on from last year’s successful trips, QMC were honoured to be awarded 2 accolades at the Challenges Abroad Conference at Royal Holloway, University of London this week.
Students who went to the Nepal Challenges Abroad expedition last year, highlighted their trip through an exhibition stand they made together, for which they won the ‘Most Culturally Engaging Display’ for. They were able to speak to the CEO of the Challenges Abroad programme, who was delighted with their stand and excited to hear stories about their overseas experiences. To further students’ enthusiasm for the Challenges Abroad Programme, students also learned about the positive effects of their contribution to the local communities they engaged with, through projects such as building extra classrooms in schools.
Additionally, QMC saw staff success as Victoria Renault, Director of Learning for Admissions, Progression and Engagement was recognised and awarded for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to International Strategy and Student Engagement’. In receiving the award, she said, ‘Challenges Abroad is an internationally and morally important programme that supports some of the most underprivileged children. It provides culturally appropriate support while growing our own young people to become the leaders and citizens that the world needs. Winning this award was both a reminder of the value of the work I undertake for the programme but also of how much more I would like to do and reinforced my passion for engaging our students in this unique program. Our Global citizenship program launches this week for our 2024 trips and we are so excited to offer this to a new year group of young people.’
Queen Mary’s College encourages its students to develop themselves in all aspects, helping them to achieve their full potential throughout their time at college. We are proud to be able to provide students the opportunity to be involved in the Challenges Abroad Global Citizenship Programme where students are immersed in an educational experience and challenged to take part in activities such as working at an Elephant sanctuary or teaching English in local schools, whilst participating in cultural exchange. Last year, QMC successfully secured £500,000 worth of funding from the Challenges Abroad Turing Scheme, which allowed 177 students and 33 staff members to go on international voyages across 11 countries such as Panama, Cambodia, Thailand, Tanzania, Peru and more.
