As part of an ongoing partnership between OCVC and Esther Beauty & Fitness College (based in Hong Kong), two students studying Beauty Therapy were selected to go on a one-week scholarship trip to Hong Kong after winning ‘Students of the Year’ awards.

The students, Ann Landau (studying at Oxford) and Lizzie Robinson (studying at Banbury) who are both on the NVQ Level 3 course, embarked on the trip to Esther College in Kowloon (an island just off the coast of Hong Kong) with Banbury Programme Manager, Val Wood.

The students and staff at the college were extremely welcoming and friendly, providing an interesting and varied programme of training and displaying fascinating skills and techniques.

Ann and Lizzie were trained in a Chinese Shiatsu massage technique that, using very deep pressure, follows energy lines in the body. They were also able to perform a lymphatic drainage treatment, which takes place whilst a hollow candle is held in the ear of the client, burning a gentle flame to create an updraft which improves hearing and equalises pressure behind the eardrum. Other demonstrations that they were able to participate in included ‘cupping’ which involves placing glass suction cups on the back of the client and running them over the area to soothe aches and pains and disperse toxins.

The trip also offered some time for the students to undertake some sight-seeing and to soak up local culture as part of their extraordinary prize.

The end of the visit saw Ann and Lizzie presented with certificates at Esther College, recognising their new skills and achievements. It is hoped that the fantastic experience had by both students will motivate an inspire current students a OCVC to continue to work hard and hopefully be considered for the amazing opportunity of the scholarship prize in future years.