The British Council Thailand launched its first Familiarisation Trip to the UK on 23 to 29 September 2012. The aim of the project was to promote English language schools accredited by the British Council during the school holidays in Thailand (March-April and October).

For more than nine years, we have worked closely with the Thailand International Education Consultant Association in order to provide TIECA members with first hand experience of English language schools in the UK and to update them with information about English language courses there. In September, we took them to experience the UK themselves. Apart from seeing the schools, their classes, and accommodation provision, the visit created an opportunity for agents to expand their business collaboration and meet with new institutions.

Fourteen representatives from Education agents in Thailand visited 19 schools in fourteen different cities in the UK over the one week visit. The visit covered almost all parts of the UK and Scotland including small cities. The schools showed the agents around their campus, introduced us to the host family, and gave us a tour around their city. The visit was very successful and we have had positive feedback from both the agents and the schools. Agents said that they have a clearer picture of the schools and cities, which makes it easier to communicate information to the parents. They have also acquainted themselves with new schools and new cities, which also offer what they are looking for. The schools had the opportunity to show off their facilities, meet the students, teachers and also the home stay family.

This is a new initiative for our Thailand office and we try to expand the market and offer opportunities for our partners in both Thailand and the UK. The British Council is planning our second Familiarisation Trip again early next year. Institutions interested in participating in the programme should contact uraiwan.samolee@britishcouncil.or.th.

The schools we visited were:

Anglo-Continental School
Anglolang, Scarborough
Berlitz Manchester
BLS English
Devon School of English
Dudley College
EAC Shrewsbury
EC Bristol
EC Cambridge
ELC Manchester
Europa School of English
Frances King School of English
Hamilton School of English
Language Specialists International
Languages United LTD
LILA
Live Language
Nottingham College International
d'Overbroeck's College
The Liverpool School of English

The agents that attended the Familiarisation Trip were:

Apex Education Consultant
Click Education
Education for Life
Further Education
IQ Group
Key Education
New Cambridge
OEC Global Education 
PASA - Penprapa Advisory Study Abroad
Roongsarp Grand Tour Co; Ltd
Study Overseas Centre
Target Education