SOUTH Eastern Regional College (SERC) played host to two Spanish students as part of an international placement programme funded by Erasmus+.
Thanks to the funding, two students from SERC’s Spanish partner college FEGREPPA, a specialist bakery, patisserie and confectionery college in Valencia, spent the month of May in Northern Ireland.
The students, Jose Molla Molto and Maria Angeles Torres Villalba, enjoyed a twoweek placement at the five-star Merchant Hotel, where they experienced life in a f lagship kitchen and the production of a very luxurious afternoon tea.
The duo also spent one week at the French Village Bakery, preparing high-quality wholesale bakery and patisserie goods.
SERC developed the partnership with FEGREPPA to exchange students over the next two years through Erasmus+, the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport supported by the European Commission.
A highlight for the students was the opportunity to participate in classes with SERC’s professional cookery students, where they got the unique opportunity to work in the college’s very own commercial restaurants and experience first-hand the Northern Ireland cuisine. They also attended English language sessions.
Feedback from the employers was very positive, with both stating that they were “very impressed” with the students.
SERC project officer, Sharon Browne, explained: “The aim of the exchange was to provide opportunities for the students to develop professional skills and English language proficiency, as well as increase the students understanding and tolerance of other cultures.
“Students got the opportunity to experience amazing new insights.
“This first trip has been an outstanding success and we are extremely proud of the effort our students made in welcoming the visitors. We know some lasting friendships have been established and we are looking forward to our return visit to Spain.”
This project is just one in a series of work placement programmes, which will see SERC students completing work placements in Malta and Belgium.