Students Explore Local Nature

On Thursday 7th May, 12 Walsall College International Students visited Merrion’s Wood in Walsall. The trip was the inspiration of two of the College’s Governors Judith Ashley and Madeleine Holland. The sight of a carpet of Bluebells is one that stays in the memory forever and Judith and Madeliene wanted to share this vista with the students.

The students, who are all studying English at the College and are from a range of countries including, China, Saudi Arabia, India and Angola, enjoyed a picnic lunch and a walk through the wood to marvel at the sight before them.

Student Zen Huaqing from China said “The wood was very beautiful and I took lots of pictures to show my family and friends back home”.

Fellow student Zeyad Alharbi from Saudi Arabia was overwhelmed by the beautiful scene that greeted him and said, “I have never seen such beautiful flowers before, in my country everything is scorched by the sun and is brown. In England you have such lush greenery”.

Judith and Madeline commented that they found the experience of sharing this visual delight very rewarding and said, “It is always rewarding to spend time with students from different parts of the world and exchange experiences. Culture and diversity can be enjoyed by everyone, even the coach driver was so impressed by the tranquillity of the wood that he is planning a second visit”.

Following this visit several of the international students wanted to know details and directions to other parks and public spaces to visit in their spare time.