Introduction

Our students come to us for between 2 and 6 weeks usually from across Europe but occasionally also further afield ( e.g. U.S.A, South Korea ). Usually one at a time- but sometimes more if accommodation is offered locally by host families.

They are often on a gap year, or during their  vacations, but sometimes come to us as part of their school or university course on an internship.

It is an opportunity for travel, discovery, learning, making friends and discovering possibilities for their future career.

Several of the past students have become good friends of mine, and we are in regular contact and even visit each other. And three of our past students (from U.S.A., Germany, Switzerland) have also become Trustees.

We have hosted many students from over 17 countries across Europe and other places. Ten of them remain in regular weekly contact and also write a quarterly review on their life and studies for the Trustee Report. The Trust CEO is also regularly hosted by those in Germany and Switzerland. 

Structure

This provides a unique opportunity for foreign students age 18-27 to visit England for a short time. Here they can learn a range of skills in horticulture, conservation, art & design, and other subjects, immerse themselves in and learn about British culture and society. And take part in local community activities, clubs and sports. Usual period of stay is between and 2 and 6 weeks.

It also provides an opportunity for local people to meet students from different cultures and backgrounds and increase their understanding of the world, and form friendships.

The foreign student can improve their English language, visit places of historical & cultural interest; familiarise themselves with British society & customs and make new friends.

Accommodation and tuition (and also some excursions to interesting places) are provided free. A small donation towards the cost of food is suggested.

Ethos

• To improve international friendship and break down barriers.

• To promote cultural understanding between different peoples and lands throughout the world.

 • To enable people travelling on a limited budget to fully appreciate living and studying in a foreign environment.

• To enrich our local UK community by contact and with foreign students.

• To promote exchange and communication between people from different nationalities.

• To enable language learners to immerse themselves in their target language whilst living abroad.

So far our many summer holiday student visitors have come from : Switzerland, U.S.A., France, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Czechia, Belgium, Spain.

Subjects & Activities

a programme of morning studies Monday to Friday is organised for you which incudes: 

1. Horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, wildlife habitats.

2. Local conservation & wildlife.

3. Local landscape & geography & their historic parameters.

4. English language improvement.

5. British history, heritage and traditions.

6. Access to the extensive Library of the Trust.

7. Visits/studies of local architecture & venues/places of cultural & historic interest.

There is access to:

a guitar; gymnasium; bicycle.

Sometimes your host will accompany you on cultural excursion during your free time (which is all weekday afternoons and weekends)

Induction/Preparation

Student welfare is one of our priorities and the rust has extensive protocols in place for the support, guidance, welfare and education of students in its care. The Trust founder is a fully qualified and state registered teacher of many years experience in the British state secondary, private, and further and higher education sectors, and experience in running English language summer schools for foreign students.

So before making a final decision on their placement, each student engages in an induction process and conversations by email and Whatsapp. This provides opportunity for questions, seek guidance and generally better find out if this placement is suitable for them. They can also speak with some of our past students to ask questions and gain their view on what it was like being here. This is especially important for those students who have not been away from home before.

14 documents are sent to the prospective residential students covering all aspects of their stay here. There is also a simple application form. Students are expected to regularly stay in touch  with their family. 

Visa Requirements

NOTE we do not accept applications from people from countries for which a visa is required for entry into the UK .

Current non-visa countries for standard visitor tourist entry for holidays, or volunteeing at a registered charity for up to 30 days include:

all EU/EEA/EFTA member states plus: USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Uraguay, Guatemala, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Israel, and some others countries.

Student Enquiry Form

If you are age 18-28 and interested in a placement at the Trust at its base in Wiltshire England then please contact us using the simple form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can. 

Be sure to headline your comment: Residential Placement Enquiry

(Please note that we do not employ anyone and only offer one month study holidays during the Easter or Summer vacation period)