Embracing life-changing opportunities by working abroad
Scottish hairdressing student Marc Beaton believes his job prospects are a cut above after taking part in an Erasmus+ work placement.
Marc spent two-weeks at a family-run salon in Portugal as part of West Lothian College's ‘Improving Skills Through International Learning Exchanges’ (ISTILE) project and has hailed the impact the experience has had on his studies - and his life.
"When the opportunity came up I grabbed it with both hands, I was very lucky," he said. "I worked in a family-run salon and they welcomed us with open arms. By the time we were leaving, the owner was calling us her salon kids, we got on with everybody so well."
"It changed my life for sure, the things you get to see and do, including the cultural experiences, it's mind-blowing, I never thought I would have the chance to do it."
Reflecting on the benefits
"I feel like this project has vastly improved my chances of getting a job, there’s no question about it, I feel like employers would like to see that on your CV."
But it isn't just his job prospects after college that Marc feels have been boosted by the trip.
"I think I’ve changed because of this experience in a good way," he went on. "It’s opened my eyes up to the world. Before this I wasn’t too culturally aware and I’m now a more well-rounded person.
"The Erasmus+ experience was one of the best experiences of my life, I’ve never had an opportunity like it before.
"The college has its own working salon, so students are able to complete a work experience module, but as I've already done this in Portugal I'm now ahead on my course. My experience in the salon was really in-depth, more realistic. I didn't have the safety of the college environment or speaking the language but I loved every second of it."
Travelling abroad has also equipped Marc to deal with challenges and face up to his fears.
"The language was a bit of a challenge but with body language - even if it's just pointing - you can tell a lot, it's just human instinct.
The Erasmus+ experience was one of the best experiences of my life, I’ve never had an opportunity like it before
"The way the Portuguese people are, they're so open, you can just tell by their body language that they're happy to have you there. And if you really struggle there's always Google Translate, so the language shouldn't put you off going, there's always a way around it.
"Before this I was scared of flying but I've now been to Portugal three times in the past year, as I've gone back to visit the people, so I've managed to get over it and actually enjoy it now.
"Lots of people have anxieties about travelling to new places, which I did as well, but I knew I had to just take every opportunity in life because life is too short not to."
Future ambitions
One of the main aims of West Lothian College's Erasmus+ project is to raise the aspirations of learners, as it has with Marc.
"The thing that’s changed most in my life because of the project would be my focus and ambition," he said. "Seeing what's possible if you work hard enough. It lights a fire in you.
"I know for a fact that I want to take my career as far as I can go with it. I want my own salon, or maybe a few, and I never would have had that ambition if I hadn’t seen the way they work in Portugal.
"Before going abroad I was enjoying my course but I didn't have that much drive. Now I've got more drive to achieve my goals and I'm so grateful to the college that they gave me this opportunity.
Working in Portugal helped me understand what I wanted in life.
Marc's top tip for anyone thinking of going abroad would be: "Go for it, grab what you want in life! And if you are lucky enough to get an opportunity like this - where it's all paid for, all new experiences, meeting new people - it can change your life, like it did mine. So embrace every opportunity, be thankful and just enjoy it."
Engaging reluctant learners
The ISTILE project has seen dramatic impacts for the West Lothian College and the students, like Marc, who take part.
Daniel Evans, Centre Head for Commercial and Marketing at the college, explained: “For some of these learners college is a last resort. They've finished school, can't get a job and can't stay in bed. The Scottish government guarantee for young people promises that all under-18s will either be in education, employment or training and many come to the college without a clear motivation or idea of the reason for doing so. These learners can be hard to engage.
“They may have never been abroad but as part of our project we can pay for their passports, which is amazing as that is such a huge barrier for young people. The big change is that, when they come back, they get why they’re here, they get why college is valuable and they start to buy into it and they become engaged learners.
"They go through a transition over about six months where they go from, ‘I’ve got to come here because I can’t not’ to ‘this is a good opportunity for me, I’m going to go on to university or a job because of this’.
“Many of the learners have never even been outside Scotland so it’s a big change for them. Some have been back under their own resources to visit the places they have been as they’ve struck up lifelong friendships and even relationships.
"It’s one of the best things we, as a college, have ever done and everyone’s really embraced it."
Want to find out more about the ISTILE project? Read West Lothian College's story!
