Edinburgh College recently welcomed a group of Japanese students to the Scottish capital for a study visit focused on Airline Operations.
The group of ten students, most of whom are hoping to forge careers in the airline industry, were in Edinburgh for four weeks undertaking a bespoke course that combined English Language and Airline Operations.
While the English Language classes took place at the College’s Sighthill campus and included specific sessions aimed at improving English in a tourism context, the practical Airline Operations classes, which included sessions on ground operations, cabin crew, and customer care, were delivered at Granton campus, where the group made use of the airline cabin facility to hone their skills.
The students also visited Edinburgh Airport to get a first-hand look at what it’s like to work in a large international airport.
In addition, the group took part in a social programme organised by Edinburgh College, which included visits to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland, the Camera Obscura, the Royal Yacht Britannia and a traditional Scottish ceilidh, as well as trips further afield to St Andrews, the Kelpies, Callander, Loch Katrine and the Museum of Flight.
The group, who attend the Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima, Southern Japan, stayed with local homestay families during their time in the capital.
International business manager Sarah Gore said: “It was great to welcome students from the Kagoshima Immaculate Heart College to Edinburgh College for this course.
“The group brought a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm to their classes and also made the most of their time in Scotland. I’d like to wish the group all the best for the future and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Immaculate Heart College in the years to come.”
Miharu Nagasaki said: “I really enjoyed staying in Scotland. I love Scottish people, food and ceilidh dancing. We went to three ceilidhs! The College was really great too and I liked the teachers very much. Our course was so amazing and when I go back to Japan I think I can use what I learnt here in my career.
“I also loved getting to know the host family I was staying with. We went to Loch Ness together and it rained a lot, but it was so beautiful and a great experience. I definitely want to come back to Scotland again!”