When Calum met Nicola
First Minister reveals special new funds
A former Carrick Academy pupil was star- struck when he met the Scottish First Minister... in China.
Nicola Sturgeon visited China last month to announce special news for Scots hoping to study in the country - and she met Ayrshire’s own Calum McDonald who is out there as part of a scholarship programme. She announced students will get the opportunity to live and study in China through funding for the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools Scholarship Programme. Calum said: “I’ve been in China for seven months now, and it’s been seven of the best months of my life. “I’ve had so many opportunities to meet so many cool people, like friends from all over the world, the Mayor of Tianjin, culminating in today meeting Nicola Sturgeon ( she’s very nice by the way). “It goes to show, anything can be achieved with a bit of hard work.” His mum, Helen, added: “I cannot tell you how amazing this has been for him. He has been to a St Andrew’s Ball in Beijing, a civic dinner with the Mayor of Tianjin, met Chinese Olympic athletes, climbed the Great Wall, visited Harbin ice festival and lots more. “I’d encourage more young people to apply for these incredible scholarships. They are life changing and shaping experiences.” The £ 754,000 investment in the work of the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools ( CISS) was announced as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met some of the current scholars in Beijing on the first day of her visit to China. She learned how the scheme has helped to build links between young people in both countries, improving language skills and widening horizons for those taking part. Applications for the programme are open to sixth year pupils in Confucius Classroom Hubs around Scotland. So far 70 Scottish students have been awarded scholarships. The First Minister said: “Scotland and China have longstanding links which we want to strengthen and one of the most important ways in which we can do that is through education. “The work of the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s schools has helped to engage more of our young people in learning about the culture, history and language of China, through the growing network of Confucius Classrooms. “It was fascinating to meet some of the current Confucius scholars – including two pupils from my former school - and hear about their experiences in China.”
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