International Programme

We are immensely proud to be affiliated with Alpha Guardians and South England Exchange as part of their programmes for bringing international students to experience post-16 education in the UK. Each term we welcome students from across the world into our community. We are so proud of the progress they make with us and how well they contribute to our community.

Spotlight on Alessandra!

Hello, I’m Alessandra. I’m an international student, and I recently completed an exchange semester in Ipswich,  more specifically at St Alban’s Catholic High School, and it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

When I first arrived at St Alban’s, I was both excited and nervous. Everything was new: the environment, the people… so of course, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make new friends because of the language barrier. However, everyone made me feel welcome and included.

From the very beginning, all the students were incredibly supportive and kind. They made a huge effort to include me in group work and invited me to take part in different activities, even outside of school. Even small gestures, like helping me find my next class, showed that they cared. The teachers were also very supportive, creating a positive and encouraging environment for learning.

Lessons at St Alban’s were quite different from what I’m used to in Italy. The classes were very interactive, with strong relationships between students and teachers — and I think that’s one of the best aspects of English education. At first, it was a bit challenging to fully understand the lessons, but thanks to the support of my classmates, I gradually became more confident — both in my English and in my ability to participate in class discussions.

In conclusion, one piece of advice I would give to anyone thinking about starting this journey is to be completely yourself and not be afraid to speak up, because the St Alban’s community is incredibly supportive and open-minded.