"They Come Back Taller": How International Experiences Transform Students
Blog by Julia Felgate, Chief Marketing Officer, Challenges Abroad
When Eleanor from St Bartholomew’s School returned from Cambodia, she described it as “undoubtedly one of the most life-changing experiences.” Lily from Abbeygate Sixth Form College called her India trip “by far my favourite experience so far in life.” Krisha from Alperton Community College found Tanzania “eye opening” and “life changing.”
These are not isolated responses. Across hundreds of students who have participated in Turing Scheme funded placements, the impact on confidence, skills, and future aspirations is consistent and profound.
As Ciaran Clinton, Head Teacher at Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, puts it: “They come back taller.”
The Skills Employers are Looking For
International placements develop exactly the capabilities that further education and employers value most.
Our data across recent programmes shows that 93% of students felt they had returned home with increased confidence, 96% returned with stronger cultural awareness, 92% felt they had increased resilience, and 84% said the experience was life-changing and had inspired them to experience the world.
These are not abstract concepts. They translate directly into employability skills that students carry forward into their futures.
Lily describes how her India experience developed these capabilities: “I felt that I faced so many challenges and enjoyed every single one of them. I have formed friendships for life with my group and whilst in India. I felt completely safe and well looked after and felt fully immersed in a new culture.”
Krisha reflects on the tangible skills gained: “I have learnt a lot as well as enhanced my skills, such as my communication and teamwork skills.”
Expanding Horizons for Students That Need it the Most
For students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the impact can be particularly transformative.
Karolina from Springwood High School explains: “For someone who comes from a family that doesn’t have a very high income, I thought I would never be able to travel and participate in such a great variety of activities. It made me realise how much I want to see other parts of the world and push myself to achieve my goals.”
Students get to discover what they are truly capable of, Eleanor’s reflection captures this perfectly: “This trip allowed me to experience things that I would have never been able to imagine and form lifelong connections and memories.”
Genuine Cultural Immersion
The experiences students gain go far beyond tourism. They involve genuine cultural immersion, working alongside local communities, navigating unfamiliar environments, and developing cross-cultural communication skills.
Lily describes feeling “fully immersed in a new culture.” Krisha talks about how Tanzania “opened up a new culture and new expectations to me.”
These are the kinds of experiences that develop global citizenship – the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with people from different backgrounds, to understand different perspectives, and to see oneself as part of a global community.
Widening Student Participation
The UK Government’s Turing Scheme exists specifically to make these transformative experiences accessible to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
The funding is intended to support travel costs, accommodation, living expenses, and project management support. Additional financial support is available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs.
Olivia Knowler, Project Manager at Challenges Abroad, has been supporting schools and colleges since the scheme’s inception: “We’ve supported schools and colleges in accessing funding to participate in our programmes since the Turing Scheme’s inception in 2021. It has been wonderful to see the life-changing impact our programmes have had on thousands of students across the UK.”
For schools and colleges, the challenge is often not whether these experiences are valuable, but whether they have the capacity to navigate the application and delivery process. With the right support, that barrier disappears.
If you have been thinking about offering your students international experiences but were unsure how to fund them, or felt the process was too complex, now is the time to explore whether this could work for your institution. Contact our team to discuss. Applications close on the 16th of March at 4pm.
Gain insights to a different culture, experience new things and begin your journey to global citizenship!