Two groups of students who are part of the Playing for Success International and Dreams + Teams projects, travelled to the UK to meet their counterparts in Manchester for a week in March. The Malaysian participants involved in the Playing for Success International project are from the Mara Junior Science College of Beseri, Perlis while their UK partners are students at St. Antony's College of Manchester who also attend the Study Support Centre (SSC) at Manchester United Football Club. The Malaysian Dreams + Teams participants are from Sabah College, Borneo and they are partnered with students from Ashton-on-Mersey Sports College, Sale.
Playing for Success International , although supported by football and other sports clubs, is not so much about sports as using sport as a means to encourage and develop global citizenship awareness and cross-cultural ties among young people. Following much British Council effort, Manchester United SSC was linked with Malaysia. MRSM Beseri was chosen as the link school for St. Antony's College, a school whose pupils attend the Manchester United SSC. This link provides a great learning opportunity for both sets of students, not least because St. Antony's College is a Roman Catholic College whilst MRSM Beseri students are predominantly Muslim.
This visit was to enable the Malaysian students to experience the school life of their counterparts and to begin discussion and planning for the forthcoming Global Sports Festival to be held on the 24 June. All the students had an enjoyable week, the highlight of which, for many was a trip to Old Trafford! Both the UK and Malaysian young people said that the week had been a fantastic experience and been a lot of fun, students also felt they had personally gained through the exchange of ideas.
Mohd Hareez Shaharun said: 'I like the way they study, the students are braver and more open-minded than Malaysian students.'
Thigenesen Venoo: 'I like moving from classroom to classroom for different lessons. It feels more informal.'
Zainal Abdullah Zainal Adlishah: 'I have become more confident about speaking in public after having gone through the nerve–wracking job of reciting a poem in front of the Mayor of Trafford.'
Both sets of students are now back in Malaysia and busy planning how to welcome their English friends to Malaysia in July. Their itinerary will be varied from attending classes and working with Malaysian students on co-curricular activities to visits.
Janet Ooi is Manager, Education Projects,
British Council Malaysia
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