A GROUP of 15 teenagers and two staff members have travelled almost 5,000 miles to experience what it is like to live and learn in Shropshire.

The group, aged 13 to 16, travelled to Ellesmere College from partner school Ellesmere Muscat International in Seeb, Oman, to be part of the football academy and join in lessons.

The teenagers described the trip as ‘great’ and 16-year-old Yousif Mahmoud Al Jufaili, originally born in Montreal, Canada, said it was everything he hoped it would be.

READ MORE: Ellesmere College students celebrate top exam results

He said: “I have enjoyed getting to know different friends from Ellesmere College and experiencing their culture, how they live and also getting to know how they study and work.

“One of my favourite parts was watching a professional Premier League match. This was my first time ever going to one and it was one of my best things that I experienced when travelling with the school or family.

“The Ellesmere College boys have treated us very well. We felt welcomed from the first day.”

Abdulrahman AlMahrezi and Alu AlZadjali, both 15 and from Oman, described the trip as extremely fun, entertaining and enjoyable and said they were made to feel very welcome.

OTHER NEWS:

Their week included a trip to watch an exciting match between Chester City FC and Scunthorpe United, a tour around Manchester City’s Etihad stadium and academy, and tickets to watch Manchester City score an injury time winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Stephen Mullock, deputy head for external relations at Ellesmere College, said it was a huge success.

He said: “We are thrilled to have been able to welcome these students from our partner school in Muscat to Shropshire for the first time.

“Throughout the week it has been great to see the boys enjoying themselves and hearing from them first-hand about all the fantastic things they have been doing, plus the real excitement of being in a boarding school.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

“The boys have been a real credit to the school in Muscat and have really involved themselves in all aspects of school life.

“They have enjoyed everything and indeed learnt so much along the way. Likewise, I believe the visit has had the same effect on our students based at Ellesmere who did a wonderful job of making our visitors feel welcomed.”

For more information about Ellesmere College, both in Shropshire and the international sites, visit www.ellesmere.com