Eight students from South West College in Northern Ireland travelled to China for a week-long cultural and educational exchange.

The students, enrolled in Level 3 Health, Life and Personal Sciences courses at the college’s Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon campuses, participated in the ‘Study China 2026’ programme. The trip was arranged through the college’s partnership with the Chinese Consulate and the office of Consul General Li Nan.

The itinerary included visits to Beijing and Xi’an. In Beijing, the group visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. They also saw the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube Olympic venues and a store demonstrating embodied intelligent robotics. The students attended Beijing Guangqumen High School and Beijing National Day School, where they met local students and staff, learned about the Chinese education system, and shared their own experiences of studying in Northern Ireland.

The group travelled to Xi’an by high-speed train, covering over 1,000 kilometres. There, they visited the Xi’an Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an City Wall, Daming Palace National Heritage Park, and the Terracotta Warriors. They took part in a hands-on workshop at the Terracotta Warriors site and experienced Tang Dynasty-era activities, including costumes, performances, and regional cuisine. They were also introduced to Qin Opera.

Fey Cole, curriculum manager for Health, Life and Personal Sciences at South West College, said the experience helped broaden students’ perspectives and prepare them for future careers in an interconnected world.