LUSU Involve’s International Opportunities Programme recently played host to 83 international students visiting from Pakistan, Malaysia and India for a three-week programme this summer.
The programme is not just a way for students from a variety of different cultures to experience life at Lancaster University, but is also seen as a way to enhance their own personal and professional development, achieved through interaction with multiple businesses, government officials, academics and community organisations throughout their stay.
Within the group were five students from COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology in Pakistan, 33 from Sunway University in Malaysia and 45 from GD Goenka World Institute in India.
Along with spending time in Lancaster, the students also travelled down to the International Leadership Summit held in London. The three-day event enabled students to attend a variety of talks from renowned business leaders such as IBM, KPMG, Centrica and Ernst & Young.
Melody Hossaini, recent contestant on the BBC’s The Apprentice, was amongst the guest speakers. Hossaini is the Founder and Director of global social enterprise, InspirEngage, described on its Twitter page (@InspirEngage) as having “a bottom line aim of improving the lives of children and young people.”
Other speakers included representatives from the British Council and Speakers Trust, a training organisation which specialises in public speaking.
A trip to Parliament was also included in the visit, where students met with Lancaster University Alumnus Tom Levitt MP and the Rt. Hon Patricia Hewlett MP, to learn more about British politics and engage in discussions about other relevant topics such as community involvement.
International Opportunities Intern, Kim Warrillow, said that “a personal highlight (of the visit) was seeing the students apply what they had learnt in the previous weeks when they were in London.”
LUSU Involve’s International Exchange Programme will also see 55 Lancaster University students heading overseas in September, with 28 travelling to Sunway University and 27 travelling to GD Goenka World Institute. Students will take part in a variety of different activities during their three week stay, including spending two days a week volunteering with community groups.
Heather Yates, International Opportunities Manager at LUSU Involve, commented that: “Student exchange between Lancaster University campuses around the world can only enhance the student experience. Specifically allowing students to become internationalised, informed and connected individuals, who will endeavour to support their communities and future careers.”
