Climbing mountains, washing elephants, and driving tuk tuks
Turing scheme lets our students see the world
University of Bradford has been awarded £478,918 under the Turing Scheme in 2022/23 - the money will fund 234 placements.
The funding represents a 24 percent increase on last year and 96 percent of grants will be awarded to students from deprived backgrounds.
Carlos Santos e Sousa, International Opportunities Coordinator, said: “The Turing Scheme enables us to offer ‘widening participation students’ life-changing experiences, while gaining valuable experience in their chosen professions.”
We spoke to some of the students who took part in last year’s Turing Scheme.
Carlos Carvahlo, pictured above, who is studying Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, travelled to Romania to complete a four-week placement, immediately after studying for a year at Western Carolina University.
He said: “My goal is to become a forensic archaeologist. I chose Bradford because there are so few universities offering courses like this in the UK, and Bradford’s reputation precedes it.
“Being able to study for a year at Western Carolina and then go onto a month-long placement in Romania was excellent in terms of gaining experience. The Turing Scheme opens so many doors, especially in fields that are difficult for students to gain experience in. I would definitely recommend it to other students.”
Jack Bailey, 27, pictured above, is entering the final year of a three-year degree in diagnostic radiography, and recently returned from Iloilo City, in the Philippines.
He said: “It was a great experience. I got to spend time in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mobile x-rays and theatre with the surgeons. Outside activities included things like swimming, canyoning and beach island hopping. I met lots of people and made new friends. The people in Iloilo City are very friendly and the staff at Work the World House will make you feel comfortable and safe during the trip. Also, I did four weeks there and wish I had done longer.
"I also got to experience another culture. It gives you a chance to gain a lot of experience and learn new skills. I recommend it and would gladly do it again."
Natasha Zera, pictured above, took part in a four-week placement at the Kandy National Hospital, Sri Lanka, where she worked with neurosurgeons, anaesthetists, and emergency trauma units.
She said: “Neurosurgery was an area I have very little experience in and was very keen to learn about. I was able to witness a number of surgeries throughout my stay. My second week was spent with the anaesthesiologists. I was fortunate to be the first ever nursing student to gain experience within this team. I spent time in theatres and the different intensive care units learning information around ventilators, invasive and non-invasive, and airway management. My final two weeks were spent in the Emergency Treatment Unit.
“There is a lot to do and see in Sri Lanka. Outside my time within the hospital, I was able to do a range of activities including scuba diving, walking and bathing elephants within an elephant orphanage, climbing and driving a tuk tuk.”
Natalie Masterson, pictured middle above with travelled to Ghana with fellow students Mickaela James (right) and Jenna Wootton to do an elective student nursing placement.
Natalie said: “We felt so supported by the team there. We were able to go to a sickle cell clinic, HIV clinic, community outreach and a sexual health clinic.
“You really get to experience the culture, the hospitality, the country and its beauty. Our advice would be to do it. You shouldn’t miss out on a trip like this, it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Additional information
The Turing scheme - named after mathematician Alan Turing - replaced the previous Erasmus programme, which ended when the UK left the EU.
The award must be used between 1 September and 31 August 2023 and will see students take up placements in Argentina, Australia, Bali, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Check Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, USA, Vietnam, and Zambia.