Portaferry’s Eimear in South Africa trip

Portaferry’s Eimear in South Africa trip

17 July 2024

PORTAFERRY’S Eimear McCarthy was one of 12 South Eastern Regional College students who headed off to South Africa recently for a 17-day work and study placement fully funded by the Turing Scheme.

The culinary arts students, from the Level 3 Diploma in Professional Chef course and Foundation Degree Culinary Arts, along with hospitality students from the Level 2 Hospitality Traineeship and Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality, were hosted by Boland College in picturesque Stellenbosch, the world-famous wine producing region. 

The further education college’s deputy head of school hospitality, Paul Mercer, described the trip as an “amazing experience for students”.

He said their culinary education included a masterclass with Craig Cormack, renowned South African Restaurateur and Salt Chef, tutored wine tastings with the Vredenheim Estate sommelier, tea tasting with Dilmah tea and seminars at the state-of-the-art Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Whilst the students worked alongside Boland College students on joint academic projects, the accompanying College teaching team presented lectures on their specialisms to all the students.

“During their free time, the students enjoyed numerous once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as visiting the top of Table Mountain by cable car, enjoying a traditional dinner and entertainment in a township and a safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa where they got to see lions, rhinos, and elephants.

“They also visited Cape Point Nature Reserve to see critically endangered Cape Penguins, with the breathtaking scenery and views experienced in beautiful weather.”

For many of the students, the trip has been a life changing experience, giving them a unique opportunity to gain vital international experience and a better understanding of other global cultures and work practices.

In addition to the increased sense of initiative, entrepreneurship, self-empowerment, and self-esteem that comes with living and working abroad, the students have gained and improved skills such teamwork, leadership, communication, planning and organisation, problem solving, creative thinking, decision making and commercial awareness.