Students experience the sights and sounds of Dubai on trip-of-a-lifetime!

New City College students have just returned from an incredible trip to Dubai – taking in the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis Waterpark, a desert safari and the famous Dancing Fountains!

The experience of a lifetime was possible through NCC’s links with the College of Tourism in Dubai and gave the group of 46 students studying Sport, Public Services and Tourism courses at Epping Forest and Havering Sixth Form campuses an adventure to remember.

As well as educational sessions within the vibrant city of the United Arab Emirates, they were able to explore the cultural side too with trips to the busy tourism hub of Downtown Dubai and the world-famous The Palm.

Their exciting journey began as they boarded an Emirates Airlines A380 plane from Gatwick and touched down in the Middle East – with all the sights, sounds and smells of a bustling city.

Simone Butler, Tourism & Aviation Lecturer at Epping Forest campus in Borders Lane, Loughton, said: “It was great to finally get the students travelling again as the last trip abroad that the department made was to Miami, just before Covid hit.

“The Tourism students have just completed a huge exam on the destination of Dubai and had learnt so much about it. It was fantastic that they actually got to experience it themselves first-hand which will definitely help in their future careers. It was a very successful inter-departmental and joint campus trip.”

During their stay the Travel students were visited by representatives from the College of Tourism in Dubai who gave them an interesting session about the city and the Sport students visited a local Coaching Academy where they were given a tour and some practical advice.

They also got the chance of an excursion to the dancing fountains in The Mall, they went to the top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, they travelled in 4×4 jeeps through the desert on safari and were thrilled to be able to ride the slides at the famous Atlantis Waterpark!

Victoria Janusauskaite, who is studying Travel & Tourism Level 3, said: “I had a wonderful time in Dubai. I am so happy that I finally managed to travel abroad with all my friends during my last year here at college. The excursions we took were amazing, especially the desert jeep safari.”

Ella Atkinson, studying Sport Level 3, said: “I had the best time ever. Dubai is an exciting city and I am glad that I got the chance to visit and experience its culture and world-famous attractions.”

Jessica Murphy, the Senior Curriculum Manager for the Sport, Travel and Public Services departments, said: “I am so pleased we managed to finally go on an educational visit abroad and Dubai ticked all the boxes for a trip of a lifetime for our students. They are already asking where we will be going next year – Thailand, New York or Miami!”

Havering Sixth Form Travel Market

Students on the Lower Sixth Level 3 Travel & Tourism BTEC course at Havering Sixth Form set up and ran a Global Festival at college to promote countries, cultures and religions around the world.

Their stalls, some pictured below, offered food from their chosen country as well as information on landmarks, fashion and traditions. Students on the Level 2 Travel & Tourism BTEC were able to browse the market and learn about countries such as Japan, Italy, Jamaica, China and the United Kingdom.