A group of 20 students from North Shropshire College recently returned from an unforgettable two-week Global Citizenship Programme in Thailand, where they made a real difference to local communities whilst developing valuable skills for their future careers.

The trip took students to a small town called Mae Sariang. They worked in local schools there, before heading to Elephant Nature Park to support ethical wildlife conservation efforts.

Teaching and Cultural Exchange in Mae Sariang
Students worked in a local partner school. and embraced Thai culture. They visited local temples, explored markets, and participated in a community clean-up project around Mae Sariang Lake.

Conservation Efforts at Elephant Nature Park
The group travelled to Chiang Mai, where they spent time at Elephant Nature Park (ENP), a world-renowned rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants and other animals, cleaning, preparing food, clearing pathways and gathering wood for the kitchens.
A highlight of the experience was the Elephant Walk with Lek Chailert, founder of ENP and a leading figure in ethical elephant tourism. The students witnessed the strong bond between Lek and the elephants and saw firsthand the impact of responsible conservation efforts.

Beyond elephants, the group volunteered in the park’s cat sanctuary and walked rescue dogs with disabilities, broadening their understanding of animal welfare and ethical tourism.

A Life-Changing Experience
The students all found the trip hugely rewarding both personally and professionally.

Animal Care students gained firsthand insight into ethical conservation, animal welfare, and sustainable tourism.

Childcare students developed skills in classroom management, communication, and adaptability through their ESOL teaching experience.

All students developed essential skills such as resilience, teamwork, and cultural awareness.

One student described the trip as “life-changing! The hands-on experience we’ve gained from teaching to conservation work has completely changed my perspective. It’s been an amazing journey.”

If you have a young person considering their post 16 study options, and wish to have the opportunity to engage with meaningful enrichment, make sure you review North Shropshire College:
www.hlnsc.ac.uk 
Shrewsbury Road, Oswestry, SY11 4QB
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0800 440 2281