Earlier this month, 40 Weston College students from a range of curriculum areas embarked on a life-changing two-week journey to Bali, Indonesia, through the UK Government's Turing Scheme. The international experience gave students the opportunity to explore a new culture, participate in a diverse programme of enrichment activities, and develop valuable personal and professional skills that will benefit them throughout their future education and careers.

The Turing Scheme is the UK's global programme for studying and working abroad, enabling students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain the confidence, skills and international experience that employers increasingly value. Weston College was delighted to secure more than £216,000 in Turing Scheme funding this academic year, allowing even more students to access transformational international opportunities and create lifelong memories.

Thanks to this funding, students contributed just £150 towards the cost of the trip, making an experience that would otherwise be inaccessible to many. The opportunity proved exceptionally popular, attracting hundreds of applications. Following a competitive application and interview process, 40 students were selected to represent the College and travel with educational partner Think Pacific.

Throughout the programme, students immersed themselves in Balinese culture through a carefully designed itinerary combining cultural experiences, sustainability, community engagement and personal development.

After arriving in Bali and taking part in an introductory project briefing, students explored the ancient village of Tenganan, learning about traditional Balinese customs and taking part in local honey tasting. They also enjoyed hands-on cultural workshops including traditional mask painting, batik art and Balinese cooking classes, giving them a unique insight into local heritage and craftsmanship.

The experience also focused heavily on sustainability and responsible tourism. Students visited organisations including Membumi, where they learned about community engagement and sustainability through pottery workshops and site tours, Kopernik, gaining insight into innovative sustainable development projects, and Made Tea, where they explored sustainable tourism, local enterprise and tea production. These visits encouraged students to think critically about environmental responsibility, ethical travel and global citizenship while learning directly from local organisations.

Alongside these educational visits, students experienced some of Bali's most iconic locations. Highlights included a day at Sanur Beach, exploring the spectacular rice terraces at Uma Ceking in Tegalalang, visiting Bali Pulina coffee plantation for coffee and tea tasting, browsing the vibrant Ubud Art Market, enjoying a traditional Balinese dance performance over dinner, and watching the sunrise over Kintamani while sharing breakfast overlooking Mount Batur.

A significant part of the programme centred around teamwork and resilience. Students spent several days at Bali Kuno Adventure Camp participating in outdoor challenges and team-building activities before moving into village homestays with local families. Living within the community allowed students to experience everyday Balinese life first-hand, build meaningful relationships with their host families and gain a genuine appreciation of different cultures, traditions and ways of life. The experience concluded with reflection sessions and a heartfelt farewell ceremony celebrating everything the students had achieved together.

This once-in-a-lifetime trip gave our students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, experience a completely different culture and embrace challenges that encouraged significant personal growth. For many, it was the furthest they had ever travelled from home, making the experience even more meaningful. Through every activity, whether navigating unfamiliar environments, communicating across cultures or working collaboratively with their peers, students developed greater confidence, resilience, independence and adaptability.

International experiences such as this strengthen communication, teamwork, problem-solving and intercultural awareness which are highly sought after qualities by universities and employers alike. Students returned with a broader global perspective, increased self-belief and a greater understanding of sustainability, community engagement and responsible global citizenship. The trip perfectly demonstrates how the Turing Scheme continues to transform lives by giving students the opportunity to develop skills through meaningful international experiences.

A huge thank you to the staff who helped to organise and chaperone this trip. It wouldn’t have been possible without your support and guidance throughout the trip.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.