Students have now returned to the UK, having been studying at one of our nine partner institutions in the US for the duration of the Autumn or Spring Semester. The experience of studying in another country is a core part of RBC’s unique American Theatre Arts course, allowing students to experience American acting and performance first-hand. Studying abroad is a rich and valuable opportunity for students to learn, develop their practice, and experience other cultures; as well as enhance their graduate employability and build a CV with a point of difference.
The Turing Scheme is the UK’s global programme to study and work abroad, the funding has enabled Rose Bruford College to issue grants that contribute to the living costs associated with studying abroad, and cover all of the costs of the international experience for students from less advantaged backgrounds, for whom this opportunity has the potential to be the most impactful. Previous UUKi research has shown that Widening Participation students can benefit even more from a period of mobility, with graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who were mobile during their degree earning 6.1% more than their non-mobile peers, and those in work more likely to be in a graduate-level job (80.2% compared to 74.7%).
Thomas Wilson, academic lead for the Turing Scheme said ‘We are especially delighted to have been able to fund this once in a lifetime experience for the first time. Despite the considerable logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic these students have been able to experience life and learning in another country, deepening their understanding of acting and performance whilst training alongside American students at our partner institutions. In 2019-20, the UK’s outward student mobility dropped to 1.5%, and to have delivered this exchange reflects our dedication to the student experience and the hard work of our staff to make this a reality.’
Nanouri Winchester travelled to University of North Carolina Wilmington, saying,‘I can safely say my experience in America was the best couple of months of my life. I said ‘yes’ to every opportunity and adventure that came my way, and the money from the Turing scheme meant that I was able to fully immerse myself in these chances.’
Whilst Beth Cowan (pictured), studying at Stephen K Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas noted,
‘My time in Texas was enhanced marvellously by the generous grant I received from the Turing Scheme. The money I received allowed me to take part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences and travel, living a worry-free lifestyle whilst away! Coming from a low-income household I was able to receive extra money for my flight expenses and other essential travel costs.’
Each year our list of American destinations varies slightly, depending on what each cohort is looking to experience. This group of American Theatre Arts students are returning from Chicago, Syracuse, New York, Texas, Wilmington, and Washington.
These exchanges with our American partner institutions are part of Rose Bruford College’s wider portfolio of academic and industry partners in the UK and abroad who regularly host our students from across our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. These placements are a valuable part of a student’s training and preparation for working across the creative and cultural sectors.
Turing Scheme funding is open to any Undergraduate or Postgraduate student, who can bid to the College for funding for an international experience of a minimum of 4 weeks. There is more information about how to apply on our Study Abroad page.