Welcome to the Global Opportunities Autumn 2021 newsletter. It's a new academic year already and we're excited to share a little bit about all of the upcoming opportunities you can take advantage of as a Cardiff Met student.

A big hello to you if you are new to Cardiff Met or have not taken part in a Global Opportunity before! After a year and a half of not being able to travel, we are so happy to see Cardiff Met students travel across Europe, beginning their study and work abroad journey this September. Maybe this is your year to get out there and try something you've never tried before!

The Global Opportunities team are your port of call for any international opportunities outside of your course. This covers a really wide range of things, from study and work abroad placements all over the world, to group trips, international short courses, funding opportunities, and more. Read on to find out more about...

• Upcoming dates
• Intercultural Award: What is it and how can you take part?
• Study and work abroad: What are the Erasmus+ and Turing schemes?
• Upcoming opportunities abroad through Turing
• Santander
• GO Global Bursary
• Global Wales Discover
• Virtual opportunities: Pagoda Projects
• Student stories: The virtual summer school experience
• Global Opportunities Convention: GoCon
• Digital badges
• New Global Opportunities Application System
• Contact us

Intercultural Award: What is it and how can you take part?

The Global Opportunities Intercultural Award is a brand new scheme being launched in 2021. The award will give you the opportunity to complete a number of globally themed modules, work as a Global Opportunities ambassador over the academic year, and have the opportunity to participate in one mobility outside of the UK (travel permitting).

The Intercultural Award is an excellent way of building on your skillset - building that all-important CV experience. If you're thinking about dipping your toes into the world of Global Opportunities, but not sure if you're ready to take the plunge and travel somewhere new just yet, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Email globalopportunities@cardiffmet.ac.uk if you are interested in participating in the Intercultural Award.

Study and work abroad: What are the Erasmus+ and Turing Schemes?

You may have heard of the Erasmus+ scheme. This programme allows students, with the help of a financial grant, to undertake a study placement at one of our numerous European partner universities, or a work placement anywhere in Europe.

For you, this could look like a full year or a semester at one of our 100+ partner universities across Europe. We have had excellent relationships with our partner universities for many years now, so you can study abroad knowing that you will be in safe hands. Or, you may opt to undertake a work placement over the summer holidays or after you graduate. This is a fantastic way to gain some invaluable work experience and see the world!

It has been statistically proven that students who complete an exchange are more likely to graduate with First-Class degrees and possess more of the skills that employers look for. Plus, the Erasmus+ Scheme is only running in the UK up until May 2023, so why not give it a go and be part of the final cohort of UK Erasmus+ students?

Turing Scheme

You may have heard that the UK will no longer be part of the Erasmus+ Scheme. While this is the case, there are always new opportunities for you to take part in.

This September we will see the first UK students participate in the Turing Scheme. This exciting scheme helps students at UK universities to take part in a study or work abroad placement anywhere in the world. Whether you are volunteering for a few weeks over the summer in Cambodia, or want to study for a full year at one of our partner universities, you may be able to receive a grant from the Turing Scheme to help your Global Opportunity become a reality.

Santander Universities Funding

With Santander funding, we are able to organise some amazing group trips. In 2019, 40 students were able to take part in a fully-funded trip to Leuven, Belgium. With both a study and a cultural element, this is a great way to see another country and get to know other students from courses across the university.

A new opportunity has become available for Cardiff Met students to visit a partner institution - the Catholic University Lyon, France. The trip will take place in June 2022, travel permitting under COVID, Cardiff Met and UK Government guidelines. During the week you will take part in classes, workshops and cultural activities. Applications are welcome from students across Cardiff Met.

Keep an eye on the Global Opportunities Application System for when our call for applications opens on 25th October.

Global Wales Discover

Global Wales Discover is a British Council run programme funded by the Welsh Government and Global Wales, providing funding for Welsh universities to deliver short-term mobility opportunities for Welsh undergraduate students to work, study or volunteer in another country.

Welsh-domiciled students will receive information soon regarding upcoming group trips.

Upcoming Virtual Opportunities

Over the last academic year, we have seen around 364 Cardiff Met students take part in virtual mobilities for the first time. While virtual placements became popular in response to the pandemic, we have heard excellent reports from students who took part. We love that these placements create more accessible and sustainable opportunities for many students, which is why we are continuing to offer virtual placements, even as travel restrictions ease.

Pagoda Projects Future Skills Programme

We are so pleased to be once again partnering with Pagoda Projects, who have developed another fantastic programme!

This bespoke 6-week programme for the autumn of 2021 is for students who are looking to enhance their future prospects through a fun and interactive course, with minimal commitment of time. This programme is flexible, allowing you to fit it in around your academic and personal life.

• Full induction to the Pagoda Projects app
• Access to 4 digital courses
• Paired with a cultural mentor
• Access to weekly live virtual events - themed on improving skills, cultural understanding, and industry insights
• Access to over 50 hour-long previously recorded live virtual events

Deadline date to apply is 8th October, and the course runs from 1st November - 10th December.

Cost: £550. However, £500 of this will be covered by Global Opportunities! A refundable deposit of £50 and a programme fee of £50, is to be paid direct to Pagoda Projects following acceptance onto the course. Global Opportunities will issue the £500 before you start the programme.

Digital Badges

By taking part in a Global Opportunity, you will receive a digital badge to display on your CV, LinkedIn profile, or anywhere else you like! You can earn a badge in the following categories...

• Cultural Mobility
• Study Mobility
• Virtual Mobility
• Volunteering Mobility
• Work Mobility

New for this academic year, you will also receive a digital certificate.

We have been so pleased to see so many of you show off your digital badges on LinkedIn, and can't wait to see what else students will achieve with Global Opportunities this upcoming academic year!