ALTON College geography student Alex Teeuw was in the medals at this year’s iGeo competition in Hong Kong, winning individual silver and team bronze.
Alex, previously at The Petersfield School, was part of a team of four, representing Team UK, who came third in the world out of 43 countries – an achievement which, according to a college spokesman, was “the best UK result in the world, ever!”
While Alex was awarded a silver medal, his fellow teammates received two bronze and a gold medal. Alex was individually placed 19th in the world out of 170 participants, which is the best performance ever of any first-time UK team member.
The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) is an annual competition for the best 16 to 19-year-old geography students from around the globe.
Students chosen to represent their countries are selected from thousands of students who participate in their own National Geography Olympiads.
The competition is divided into three rounds, each with a different focus. The first is a written test, in which the UK finished first overall. The second and third rounds are a multi-media and fieldwork exercise respectively.
While the current political situation in Hong Kong curtailed the tourist side of their visit, Alex said of the iGeo experience: “I got to meet some enthusiastic geographers, great people and made brilliant memories.”
An exciting time was made even more so when the students were caught up in a level eight typhoon, and by trips to the UNESCO geopark and a boat ride to visit a traditional village in the more remote and wild parts of Hong Kong.
Alex was supported in his efforts to fundraise for iGeo trip by the Alton College Foundation.