Exploring Knowledge and Culture: The Impact of School Trips to the UK
“Ten days in the UK. We visited six universities, four museums, a pre-historical ancient site built 5000 years ago, “the Stone Henge," sightseeing in Oxford, the Cambridge Punting Tour, and the Arsenal Football Stadium. We even played football in Hyde Park with new friends!”
In today’s globalised world, students need more than just textbooks to inspire curiosity and foster learning. A school trip to the UK offers students an unparalleled opportunity to experience education and culture beyond the classroom. By visiting prestigious universities and world-class museums and immersing themselves in UK life, students can deepen their academic understanding, broaden their cultural horizons, and gain valuable insights into their future.
Here is a glimpse of our fantastic school trip and what our students get from the trip.
Visiting top UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge can inspire students and provide valuable insights into university life and academic pathways. Interactions with admissions staff and current students and learning about courses and job opportunities make the experience more real. After the trip, some students know their preference between bustling cities like London and quieter towns like Reading and Bath. Our students agreed that visiting the universities was truly eye-opening.
Listening to an Imperial College Chemical Engineering student explain what is happening in class ignites our students' interest.
The University of Bath offers a great sports programme for athletes, with rigorous training for the Olympics and other world competitions. Students also appreciate the green campus and student welfare support.
I asked the students to imagine what it would be like to live away from home and what it takes to get into the university of their dreams. The university visits helped some students discover subjects they had never considered before. We visited two universities in London and others outside the city. The contrasting experiences of living in bustling London compared to outside the city were factors that the students had not thought about before the visits, and these differences influenced their decisions in choosing a university.
Alice in Hogwarts Dining Hall at Christchurch College, University of Oxford. It made her day.
2. Cultural and Historical Enrichment: Museum Highlights: The UK’s world-class museums offer students unique learning experiences beyond the classroom. We visited these museums together.
The Natural History Museum: Famous for its extensive collection of natural world specimens, this museum ignites curiosity about science and the environment.
The British Museum: Home to treasures from around the world, like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies, this museum provides a window into ancient civilisations and their impact on today’s world.
The National Gallery: Featuring masterpieces from artists like da Vinci and Van Gogh, the gallery allows students to explore European art and its role in shaping culture. Our students were in awe when they saw the masterpieces. The visit enhances their appreciation of art, and observing the master’s techniques can serve as a great example of art as a subject and a standard.
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge offers a mix of art, antiquities, and manuscripts that students can connect to their classroom learning in a deeper, more integrated way.
Visiting these museums is not just an opportunity to learn new things; it offers a unique chance to connect the acquired knowledge and apply it to a deeper, more holistic understanding of history, culture, and art.
I captured the moment when Piaz, a talented art student, said, "I wanted to look closer and see the techniques." The Fitzwilliam Museum.
Le Pain, Head Prefect, with Van Gogh’s painting postcard from The National Gallery. He also took a picture of the Rosetta Stone that he saw at the British Museum. Seeing the real artefact is powerful and makes it much easier to understand the importance of the historical piece and its relevance to today’s world.
The Rosetta Stone
3. Personal Development and Confidence Building
A school trip to the UK provides students with real-life challenges that foster independence and confidence. Students gain valuable life skills from managing their pocket money to navigating a new environment. Travelling in groups also allows students to bond with their peers, creating lifelong memories as they explore new cities, share experiences, and navigate cultural differences together. They returned with a lifetime memory and formed a stronger sense of friendship regardless of their age difference.
4. Understanding UK Culture First-Hand
Immersing in UK culture, whether tasting traditional foods, experiencing British customs, or engaging with locals, gives students a genuine understanding of life in the UK. This firsthand experience fosters a deeper appreciation for diversity and cultural exchange, making lessons learnt in the classroom come alive.
Making friends with the locals and playing football together at Hyde Park is a perfect way to end a happy day in London.
5. Travelling and Teamwork
Navigating the journey together, students learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Exploring landmarks, planning daily activities, and travelling between cities as a group help students develop essential social skills, while the excitement of adventure builds strong friendships. They also have the opportunity to take turns leading a group each day, guided by teachers.
Planning a day trip around London using the bus and the tube was so much fun.
6. Fostering Global Awareness
Learning about different cultures and global history helps students develop a more open-minded and inclusive worldview. With its rich blend of modern and historical significance, the UK is an ideal destination for fostering such awareness. Experiencing life in the country offers a perspective that reading alone cannot provide. This is why a trip can be incredibly educational for students. There are countless new things to learn and discover that can help them make sense of the world they live in.
“My most memorable experience in England was visiting the National Gallery, where I was inspired by the art techniques used. This has taught me a lot for my art IGCSE analysis of its composition.” Tinton also visited the Emirate Stadium and the Arsenal Museum with great excitement.
“Playing football in Hyde Park is my most memorable moment." Peam
‘We had so much fun playing games with everyone, but if I had to choose a place we visited that I enjoyed the most, it would be the shopping in London.” Pin Pin
"We get to see the lifestyle of college students while also learning about the programme from a professor’s perspective.” RBIS Students
The students enjoyed the trip and learnt a great deal. They returned home with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Many amazing pictures are available on our school’s Instagram and Facebook pages. This makes a school trip meaningful—it's more than just a trip.
Written by Arwenun Klipbua, Executive School Director
The UK trip 2024 was led by Ms Arwenun Klipbua and Mr Kriengkrai Najorn.
