Lauren McAlister – from Project SEARCH – was happy to provide a diary of the four day trip to South Eastern Regional College (SERC) in Northern Ireland.
Monday 23 May 2022
This is the first day for our Irish trip and everyone is very excited to be going on our journey. We started by sorting the minibus to take us to Edinburgh Airport by putting the suitcases into the back of the bus. Andrew got us there safely. We then went to the check-in area to get our suitcases out of the way and yes, there were some little hiccups while we were getting everyone sorted…we are still happy that we are going on the trip. There are a few interns who are going to be on the plane for the first time, which is interesting for them since they haven’t been on a plane before.
Craig said he is happy and excited, but a wee bit unsure as he has never been without his family to airports. Most of all he is happy that security was easier than expected. Sarah is excited, but also scared as it’s her first time on a plane, but still excited to be going to Ireland. Jaydan is also excited, but finding it a bit nerve wracking because it’s a big airport with lots of people, however he is still excited. Stuart is excited and looking forward to going Ireland and being on a plane for the first time. Owen is also feeling excited, but he is also feeling anxious since it’s been a while since he’s been on a plane. He is happy that he is going to the country that his mother’s family is from. Thomas is excited, but also a bit stressed as there are too many people around. He had a wee hiccup at security, but it was sorted and all is fine now. I am exited although a wee bit worried because it has been a while since I’ve been on a plane.
We arrived in Belfast with Michelle from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) picking is up in the minibus to take us to our hotel in Bangor. We were sorted into our rooms then after relaxing in our rooms for a wee while, we went out for a wander into town to see Bangor and its harbour. We returned to our rooms to freshen up before going for dinner. Everyone ordered different foods like burgers, chicken burgers, pizzas and pasta with drinks. The food and drinks we had were delicious, while the staff were absolutely lovely to us as well.
Tuesday 24 May 2022
Today we headed to SERC for the first time. We met at reception at 8:15am, as the college is a short walk away. Most of us were awake very early - excited about our day ahead. We walked to college in plenty of time to get breakfast at the cafeteria, where most of us got breakfast baps (rolls but they’re called baps in Ireland). Michelle and Kieran from SERC collected us from the cafeteria to take us to the classroom where Michelle and her ‘Skills for Life and Work’ group were. Also the student support worker, Victoria, was there. We then introduced ourselves to the SERC group who did the same for us. Then we were taken around the campus for a tour – the Bangor campus seems much bigger than our Falkirk Campus with tons of places for the courses. Then both groups did a presentation where we explained what our courses were all about. Following that we went into mixed SERC/FVC groups to do some getting to know you activities to start to find out about each other.
After lunch (meant to be a picnic but we had to stay inside as it was raining heavily – same as Scotland!) both groups went in the minibus to go to the local leisure centre called Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex. We had a tour around the building finding out about the different activities that were taking place, along with the different jobs the staff did. We discussed what was needed in the workplace to get and keep a job. We returned to the minibus then we went to Magellan Aerospace to see how they engineered airplane parts and the health and safety in their workplace. We started by using safety glasses and ear plugs.
Once we had finished we returned to the hotel to get freshened up to have dinner. We then joined the SERC group and went ten pin bowling. It was great fun with everyone getting along more with each other. Thomas said the day was good. He thought it was very interesting seeing SERC College and getting along with the SERC students. He also found the leisure centre and aerospace visits very interesting. The bowling was good fun too. Sarah thought it was really good meeting new people and doing the ‘getting to know you’ activities especially enjoying speaking about Scotland. She has always enjoyed bowling, so it was fun and exciting - a really good night. Craig thought that it was great meeting new people and talking to them about Scotland and playing bowling which was really fun. The aerospace visit was very interesting as you got to see how all of the machines work and the products that they produce. It was a great experience. The leisure centre visit was very good as Ross, our tour guide, told us about how he progressed through the leisure centre’s jobs. Ross was very passionate which Craig thought was good as it showed how much he cares about the company. Craig also thought the SERC tour was useful as we got to see how different it was compared to Forth Valley College. Jaydan liked being able to see around SERC college and meet everyone. He thought that there was a nice change of pace and the getting to know you activities were good fun and a great challenge. Jaydan also thought that the insight into how they make the plane parts at aerospace was really fascinating. Also, Jaydan thought that the bowling was great for relaxing and having a laugh, and the banter between everyone was great. Stuart enjoyed meeting the SERC students and the tour around the college. He liked going to see the leisure centre and aerospace company and learning about the different types of jobs. Stuart enjoyed the bowling even though he lost! Owen thought the day was good fun. He found SERC and their students to be very interesting. Also, Owen thought the tours were interesting and informative and that the bowling was good fun. As for me… I enjoyed meeting the SERC group at the college and thought the campus was much bigger than FVC. The tours were very interesting too.
Wednesday 25 May 2022
It is going to be another busy day for us. Some of us got up early to see Northern Ireland’s oldest street market, then we returned to the hotel and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant which we all enjoyed. We then got the minibus with the SERC students to go to a college enterprise market, where we had a look around then had a cuppa and a biscuit to help their funds. After that, we returned to the college for lunch which was good, but most of us weren’t able to eat a lot since we had had a big breakfast. It was then time for a group photo before we headed off to Belfast to go and visit the Titanic museum.
We started by going on the ‘Nomadic’ ship which was the boat that took passengers to the Titanic before she sailed to the USA. We then went to the Titanic museum. We walked through the exhibits, which had a ride also in it too. The exhibits were amazing, but also sad, considering how tragically everything happened (spoiler alert – the Titanic sunk). After our tour, some of us bought something from the gift shop and went back to the minibus to head off to the cinema. We went to see the new Dr Strange movie which was amazing. Thomas thought the day was very interesting. He thought the enterprise session was just OK, but the Titanic museum and cinema visit were great. Craig thought the Titanic museum was very interesting as you could see how they built the ship and there were lots of facts about the different jobs that were involved in making the Titanic. The cinema trip was great. All in all it was a fun day. Jaydan thought that the Titanic museum was really interesting, and being able to explore the ‘Nomadic’ ship was really fun, although it was a little stressful with how crowded it was. The cinema was probably the best cinema he’s been to so far, the seats were comfy and the screen was great. Sarah really enjoyed her day and particularly liked going to the cinema, however, she didn’t have the best of days as she accidentally ended up breaking her phone. Owen said that the third day was good fun. He thought the visit to the enterprise centre was pleasant. He also thought the museum visit was very interesting and the movie was good too. Stuart really enjoyed the day, however he thought the enterprise session was just OK too. He enjoyed his chicken and chips lunch. Stuart thought the Titanic museum visit was interesting and good fun. He thought the movie was brilliant and the seats were very comfortable. Finally, Stuart enjoyed eating fish ‘n’ chips for dinner outside and thought they were delicious. I absolutely loved the museum and wished we had more time there. I thought the movie was great. A good day although I did have a sore foot and a headache because it was such a busy day.
Thursday 26 May 2022
Our return journey. We were all sorted for the return journey by 8am when Michelle drove the minibus to take us back to the airport. We went straight through security at the airport then bought some things from the gift shop, then got some breakfast. We sat and ate breakfast while waiting for our gate to be called. We then got on the plane which seemed a quicker journey compared to Monday? We landed in Edinburgh then collected our suitcases straight away. We went through the airport, which was very busy and met David at the minibus.
Craig thought the day went very well as we all got through security and onto the plane and returned safely to the College. Owen really enjoyed his trip, but was happy to return home as nothing is better than home. Sarah thought the return journey was fine, as well. It was fast and easy. She is glad to be home to get to her own bed! Other than that she has had an amazing experience and loved every minute of it. Jaydan thought that the return journey wasn't too eventful, the flight back was a bit bumpy, but it was nice just being able to chat. Stuart thought the flight went well, but the landing was a wee bit bumpy. Thomas enjoyed the return journey and thinks that we all made good memories there.
Epilogue 27 May 2022
So to sign off – overall we thought that the trip to SERC in Ireland was amazing. Most people started off nervous, especially those who hadn’t been on a plane before, but were soon reassured and had a great time. It was worthwhile visiting employers and finding things out. Meeting new people at the SERC College was great, along with challenging ourselves to do new things that we don’t really do a lot of. We feel that this has helped us all a lot. Everyone was glad to be able to come on the trip to see different things and getting along with everyone. Some of us have made new friends who we will be keeping in touch with. If we got the chance in the future we would invite SERC over here and show them where we are - Stirling Castle, the College Campuses, the Kelpies and a visit to the Falkirk Wheel.
Finally, we would like to thank Michelle for being a brilliant host and letting us see Northern Ireland at least one time. As Jaydan says “…this is something I won’t be forgetting anytime soon …”
ENDS