Since June 2008, Brainstorm has been bringing IELTS students to the Botanical Garden and the Museum not only to be able to see the most beautiful places of San Fernando City, La Union but also to be ready to answer questions about gardens and Museums in the IELTS Speaking test.
Inasmuch as there are many reviewees who come from other Provinces like Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and as far as Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga, this Field trip to the Botanical Garden is more than educational. It is also their chance to see the pride of the Province of La Union — the first of its kind garden in the country located about 8 kilometers up in the hills east of the City of San Fernando. The reviewees are always in awe when they see the 20 splendid hectares featuring different kinds of plants from around the world.
And true indeed, after having gone to the Botanical Garden, they become more confident to talk about gardens, landscapes, flowers, parks and museums — which are constant issues brought up in the IELTS Speaking test.
This is Brainstorm's way of going beyond just the academic preparation for the test. Mostly nurses, the students do not have time visiting places like these. Each batch that go there has very pleasant and memorable experiences complete with very colorful pictures in front of the wishing well or in any place in the garden as any spot in the Botanical Garden is worth capturing in the picture. So, this educational field trip is a continuing project of Brainstorm to let other people see and appreciate what La Union has apart from its pristine beaches.