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| Experiencing the Real UK |
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| In March 2003, a group of young people from around the world had the
opportunity to think about the advantages of studying and living in the UK,
when they were lucky enough to experience the Real UK. Colin Beaver was
there to record their reactions |
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| Real UK is a competition that was run by the British Council
across 13 countries during 2002/03. To win, students had to
shoot a video of themselves, talking about the things that
were important to them - their dreams and aspirations for the
future, what they wanted to be and what they wanted to study.
Of the hundreds of entries received, 32 lucky winners were
selected and in mid-March 2003, they were flown to the UK for
a two-week, all expenses paid trip of a lifetime.
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| Captured on film |
| Arriving in London, the group's first experience was an evening
cruise on the River Thames, giving them the opportunity
to admire the celebrated river front. This also provided an
opportunity for the winners to meet and get to know each
other - and get to know the film crew that would be following
them around for the duration of their trip, capturing all of their
experiences on film.
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| From London it was on to Cardiff in Wales, where the winners
were the guests of Cardiff University and the University of
Wales College of Medicine. Warmly welcomed by Jane
Davidson, the National Assembly for Wales Minister for Education
and Lifelong Learning, the group toured both institutions.
Highlights included trying their hand at television presenting in
Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Media and Cultural
Studies and hearing tales of crime-solving from a world renowned
specialist in forensic dentistry at the University of
Wales College of Medicine.
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Beckham provides a kick |
| Later, the winners enjoyed a banquet at Cardiff Castle and a
tour of Wales' Millennium Stadium (where a scuff-mark on the
floor of the changing rooms supposedly left by David
Beckham's football boots caused a bit of a stir!). They were also
treated to a traditional fish and chip supper.
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| After Wales, it was back to England and the town of Dudley,
10 miles from the country's second city, Birmingham. At Dudley
College, the winners took part in 'taster' sessions in hairdressing
and beauty, performing arts and popular music. One of the
winners actually had the opportunity to record a pop song that
she had written herself in the College's own recording studio.
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Magical Mystery Tour |
| From Dudley, the group moved on up to two of the country's
coolest cities, Liverpool and Manchester. Here they visited The
University of Liverpool where they donned white lab coats
and protective glasses to carry out experiments on DNA and
enjoyed a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour which visited places
made famous by the pop band. The group was also treated to
a visit to Manchester United's football stadium to watch
David Beckham and the rest of the team in action against
London-based club, Fulham FC.
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| It was now time to leave England once again and travel to
Scotland where the University of Dundee was their host. On the
way, the group got the chance to visit the home of Bentley
Motor Cars, a world-leading centre for automotive design and
craftsmanship, and to enjoy Grizedale Forest in the Lake District
National Park, an area renowned throughout the world for its
outstanding natural beauty.
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| Dancing the night away |
| Once at the University of Dundee, the winners visited
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School for a fascinating series
of hands-on workshops in clinical skills, surgical skills and
cancer research laboratories. They also visited the Duncan of
Jordanstone College of Art and Design, where the party gained
an insight into digital imaging and saw animation labs in
progress. Dundee also proved to be one of the highlights of
the tour as the winners enjoyed their very own 'Ceilidh' - a
traditional Scottish music and dance evening. Four of the boys
in the group got to wear kilts while their enthusiasm (not to
mention skill) for the dancing impressed the locals.
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| After bidding a fond farewell to Dundee and Scotland, it was
back to England and the group's starting point in London. Here
they enjoyed the packed remainder of their stay. Highlights
included a behind-the-scenes tour of the BBC TV Centre, a pop
concert at the Royal Albert Hall and exclusive visits to the
studios of world-famous architects, Foster and Partners, and
fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood and Jimmy Choo.
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| Time to say goodbye |
| The climax of the trip was a gala reception celebration of 'Real
UK' at the historic Palace of Westminster - home of the UK
Government in the shape of the House of Commons and House
of Lords. The students mingled enthusiastically with the other
guests who included some familiar faces from the institutions
visited during the trip, the British Council and representatives of
Government. And a couple of final surprises - pop group, Suede,
happily posed for photos as did dance act, Groove Armada,
while Jimmy Choo met up with the students once more and
happily encouraged them to stay in touch.
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| Returning to the hotel, the students arranged a last night
get-together providing a final chance to swap addresses,
reflect on the previous two weeks and to prepare for some
emotional farewells.
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| ^ top |
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| ‘This trip has really helped me to
grow as a person. I got to know
people from many different
cultures and my horizons have
definitely opened up.’
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Larissa Prairie, Brazil
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| ‘The experience has helped me
to decide that I will definitely
study overseas and it will
probably be the UK.’
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Chrisitie Hong Yee Pang,
Hong Kong
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| 'I will remember the UK for the
people who have been very
warm, kind, generous and
helpful. I will never forget them.'
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Yao Cheng, China
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| 'Real UK has been an extraordinary
experience. Coming
to the UK to study is definitely
in my future plans.'
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Siti Reyhanna Binti Haji Yakob,
Brunei
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| 'It's really been a trip of a
lifetime. We've been able to do
some very special things and
have some awesome experiences.
I got to record my song in the
UK! And watch Manchester
United play live!'
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Eunike Stephanie Sastrawidjaja,
Indonesia
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