The World Awaits

At the Isle of Wight College, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through our international programmes, students have the possibility of travelling overseas, experiencing new cultures, developing valuable employability skills and building confidence that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Working with partners across Europe and beyond, our students gain valuable industry experience, develop independence and broaden their understanding of the world. Recent projects have included visits to India, Norway, Thailand and France, exploring themes such as sustainability, innovation, wellbeing and employability.

These experiences are often life-changing, broadening horizons, preparing students for independent living and helping them develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for employment, apprenticeships or further study.

Building on the success of our recent Turing Scheme projects, we are now developing new international initiatives and strengthening global partnerships to create even more opportunities for students and staff. We are particularly excited to be preparing for the UK's return to the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, which will enable us to expand our international collaborations and create new mobility opportunities across Europe.

As part of this next chapter, we are developing ambitious projects centred on sustainability, environmental stewardship and green innovation, connecting students with organisations, colleges and communities around the world. We look forward to working with both new and existing partners to deliver inspiring international experiences that equip our learners with the skills, perspectives and confidence to thrive in a global future.

Your Journey Starts Here. The World Awaits.

Head Higher: Wellbeing in the Workplace

During 2025 and Spring 2026, our Turing-funded Head Higher: Wellbeing in the Workplace project gave Isle of Wight College students the opportunity to work with international partners to explore mental health, wellbeing, and resilience in preparation for entering the workplace.

Working alongside students from host countries, participants investigated how organisations support employee wellbeing and collaborated to develop a Mental Health Toolkit for young people taking their first steps into employment. The project helped students build confidence, cultural awareness, teamwork, and communication skills while breaking down barriers to future employment.

Students from a wide range of curriculum areas, including Business, Marketing, Travel and Tourism, Engineering, Art and Design, Public Services, Sport and Graphic Design, took part in mobilities to India, France, Norway, and Thailand.

One of the programme's highlights was a transformational two-week visit to Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab, India. Students experienced an inspiring blend of academic, cultural and professional activities tailored to their career interests while immersing themselves in Indian culture. Memorable experiences included visiting the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar and participating in a vibrant cultural fashion show alongside LPU students.

In France, students from Business, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Foundation Learning and Graphic Design travelled to Lycée Condorcet in Belfort. During their stay, they collaborated with French students on project activities, sampled regional cuisine, visited local businesses and travelled to Strasbourg for a guided visit to the European Parliament.

Through Head Higher, students developed a greater understanding of workplace wellbeing, gained valuable international experience and returned with new skills, perspectives and friendships that will support them throughout their future careers and education journeys

Sea of Change Project

Throughout the 2022-23 academic year students from several curriculum areas completed two-week work placements overseas with all travel costs and expenses funded by the Erasmus+ programme. Our Childcare students returned to Norway, where they gained work experience in a local kindergarten and developed their skills with forest school lessons. Sports students also visited Norway, travelling to Lillehammer to participate in a programme of indoor and outdoor lessons at Gausdal Videregaende Skole which included both alpine and cross-country skiing. Students cooked together each night and built their confidence through trying activities outside of their usual comfort zones including gymnastics lessons. The academic year closed with a two-week work placement in Lebrija, Spain for Painting and Decorating students, who also participated in cultural visits to nearby cities Sevilla and Cadiz.

Previous Projects

Our students have been exploring the world through international projects for many years, gaining unforgettable experiences, developing new skills, and building lifelong memories along the way.

Through our Erasmus+ TIES Project, students travelled to Italy, where they explored cultural heritage, sustainability and environmental conservation while working alongside European partners. The project helped students develop a greater appreciation of their own communities and the importance of protecting the natural and cultural environments around us.

The Turing Scheme-funded Mind Over Matter Project took students to Estonia and Norway, where they investigated innovative approaches to wellbeing and mental health. Working with international partners, students shared ideas, explored best practice, and developed a deeper understanding of how wellbeing can support success in education, employment, and everyday life.

Over the years, students have also enjoyed enriching visits to destinations including Malta, Greece, France, Norway, India, and Thailand, experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and discovering opportunities beyond the Isle of Wight.

Each project has helped our students grow in confidence, independence, and ambition, proving that international experiences can be truly life-changing and opening doors to future study, employment and global opportunities.

Every journey brings new perspectives, new opportunities and memories that last a lifetime.