Summer Social Programme

Throughout the summer of 2006 IAESTE UK arranged a range of activities and excursions for nearly 200 visiting trainees based throughout the country. Students from over 50 different countries were given a taste of the variety of life in the UK.

The destinations were extensive. The Giant's Causeway, the Mountains of Mourne, Cambridge, York Minster - these are just some of the sights being visited by the students. The IAESTE teams in London and Belfast coordinate a social programme for the students, which this year included an international picnic in Hyde Park, a London Mini-Olympics in Greenwich Park (which was won by the "Middle East", a part of the world which had adopted Tajikistan for the day!), an activity weekend in County Down and a visit to the North Antrim Coast, including a guided tour of the walls of Derry. Some of the most picturesque towns in England and Wales were covered, as well as a trip to Dublin organised jointly with IAESTE Ireland. For those more in touch with Mother Nature, an outdoor activities weekend was organised in the wilds of Lancashire, giving students the opportunity to practise their archery, rafting and navigational skills.

The summer social programme had to go out with a bang, and it was clear that only one location could have risen to the occasion. The annual Edinburgh Festival is a melting pot of music, comedy, performances and dancing set to the dramatic backdrop of Scotland’s capital city. This year some 35 IAESTE students converged there for what turned out to be a truly unforgettable weekend for all involved.

As well as gaining valuable work experience on placement in the UK, the international IAESTE trainees will take home lasting memories of the places they have visited, the people they have met, and the good times they have shared. While each of the trips themselves was informative and enjoyable, without exception, the highlight was always bringing together such an unlikely (but like-minded) collection of people from such varied backgrounds. It goes without saying that the 2006 IAESTE UK Summer Social Programme has given birth to more than one or two long-distance friendships!