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Students leave for summer programmes abroad

Two groups of students from the UAE are attending training and cultural immersion activities in Scotland and Australia this summer as part of programmes aimed at honing students’ skills in the international arena.

Late June, a group of five female students from the Abu Dhabi University departed for training at Al Maktoum College —an international research-led college in Dundee, Scotland— on multiculturalism and leadership, where they learn about the pressing global issues.

As part of the programme, the students will visit the UK and Scottish parliaments to provide them with an overview of the countries’ supreme legislative bodies. The students will attend a number of parliamentary sessions and will have an opportunity to meet some of the members of the parliament.

On its eighth year, the programme is designed specifically for female students from the UAE and Qatar. Their training ends on July 19.

Moza Al Zaabi, a participant from the ADU College of Arts and Science, majoring in Environmental Science, said the experience has boosted her self-confidence. “I’m keen on developing my skills on quick decision-making and social participation,” she said.

Meanwhile, 30 Emirati students from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain left on Friday for Bendigo in Victoria as part of a month-long ‘Summer Abroad Programme’ that will see them enjoy the very best of Australian culture and its unique lifestyle.

The students will be accommodated at Australian homes to immerse them into their way of life.

As part of their activities, the youngsters will go to Melbourne to see the famous Australian Rules Football (North Melbourne v St Kilda) at Etihad Stadium, the wildlife parks, outdoor camps, a cruise down the Murray River aboard a historic paddle steamer, trips to local universities, galleries and weekends to the Grampians, a national park and one of Victoria’s most popular holiday destinations.

“This programme is designed to achieve an enriched two-way cultural experience and provide a forum for the students from the UAE to share knowledge and vice versa,” said John Butler, Commissioner for the Victorian Government Business Office in Dubai, which supports the programme.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com