International Citizenship Experience: Students Explore Engineering and Microfinance in Sri Lanka
Students taking part in this year’s International Citizenship Experience (ICE) expedition to Sri Lanka have enjoyed an inspiring programme of academic visits, cultural experiences and community engagement during their first four days in the country.
The expedition is divided into two specialist pathways, with students exploring either engineering or microfinance through visits to leading organisations and projects across Sri Lanka.
The engineering group gained first-hand insight into the country’s thriving engineering sector, beginning with visits to Sri Lanka’s authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealership and Foresight Engineering, where they learned about automotive technology, infrastructure development and large-scale engineering projects. They also visited the ambitious Port City Colombo development, discovering the engineering behind one of South Asia’s largest land reclamation projects, before touring the renowned German Tech Institute to see how the next generation of engineers is trained through practical, industry-focused education.
Meanwhile, the microfinance group explored how access to financial services can transform communities. Students met with the Lanka Microfinance Practitioners’ Association and Sejaya Micro Credit to learn about the growth of microfinance in Sri Lanka before visiting local branches and meeting women whose lives and businesses have been positively impacted by community lending. They also had the opportunity to meet Seroshi Nandasiri, Founder and Chair of the Women’s International Foundation, who spoke about the importance of education, leadership and entrepreneurship in empowering women and creating lasting social change.
Alongside their academic programme, students experienced Sri Lanka’s rich culture and natural beauty. Highlights included sampling local cuisine along Colombo’s seafront, visiting a turtle conservation centre to learn about marine conservation, relaxing on the country’s stunning beaches, and taking part in traditional Sri Lankan beach games.
The expedition continues to provide students with valuable opportunities to apply classroom learning in an international setting while developing a deeper understanding of global industries, sustainable development and the communities they serve.
This version is concise enough for a website news article while still capturing the key educational experiences and cultural highlights from the first four days of the expedition.
