NSCG Students Set Off on Once-in-a-Lifetime USA Adventure
15 May 2025
Ten students from Newcastle College recently enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the USA, made possible through the Government’s Turing Scheme.
Ten students from Newcastle College recently enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the USA, made possible through the Government’s Turing Scheme.
The Turing Scheme offers grant funding to education providers to support their students or apprentices to pursue study and work placements around the world, giving learners the chance to develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability.
Coordinated by the Association of Colleges (AOC), the trip saw ten students from NSCG’s BTEC Level 3 Sport and BTEC Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science Courses head to Boston, Massachusetts for two unforgettable weeks. During their time in the USA, they took part in peer exchanges, attended professional sports games and even enjoyed a day trip to New York City.
Their time in Boston began with the opportunity to take part in the city’s iconic annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The students then visited Boston University and Harvard University, where they took part in a series of workshops focused on strength and conditioning, athletic training, athletic eligibility and sport psychology.
As well as visiting the top level universities, the students were also involved in a peer exchange programme with a number of community colleges around the city, to compare how sport is organised and delivered at different levels of the US educational system.
The learners also enjoyed several visits to professional sports fixtures during their stay. Highlights included a tour of the iconic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and the oldest Major League Baseball stadium in the USA, as well as the chance to watch the Boston Celtics in action on the basketball court and a Boston Fleet ice hockey match.
BTEC Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science student Sam, who was one of the ten students who went on the trip, said: “In my experience the trip to Boston was the most incredible experience I have had. Visiting the universities has had the biggest impact on me as it has shown me there are so many opportunities available to me that I wasn’t aware of. The trip has inspired me to work even harder so that I can hopefully secure an opportunity like the ones I saw during the experience.”
Todd Bailey, Curriculum Manager for Sport and Public Services at NSCG, said: “Having the chance to better understand the global world of sport and higher education in America for the students has been huge. The itinerary was jam packed with new and exciting trips and visits as well as plenty of cultural activities too. This opportunity has opened the horizon for the young people who are now considering their study and employment options after their time at NSCG.”