A Taste of Europe: Childcare Students Explore German Education and Culture

First-year Level 2 Early Years (Childcare) students from Lincoln College and Newark College recently returned from an unforgettable two-week Turing Scheme-funded trip to Lüdinghausen, Germany. 

Staying at the local Richard-von-Weizsäcker school students got a real taste of life abroad, spending eight days working in German nurseries and one day each week attending lessons alongside local students.

The Lincoln and Newark College students were split into three groups and attended placements at different locations, some of whom attended the Evangelische Stephanus Kindergarten, a nursery run by a Protestant church, as well as DRK-Kita Höckenkamp and DRK-Kita "Im Paterkamp", both run by the German Red Cross. It was a unique opportunity to mix with both German and Dutch peers, sparking friendships and cultural exchange.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the visit was adapting to a new learning environment. While Newark College students are used to more traditional, written-based tasks, their German counterparts focused heavily on digital learning, often showcasing their work through video presentations. This difference gave UK students the chance to step outside their comfort zones and embrace a more tech-driven style of education. 

Jemma Horsfield, Care & Early Years Curriculum Lead, Lincoln College, said: "This trip has been an invaluable experience for our students, offering them the chance to broaden their horizons both academically and culturally. The opportunity to learn alongside peers from Germany and the Netherlands, while adapting to a different teaching style, will undoubtedly enhance their future careers in Early Years. I am incredibly proud of how our students embraced this experience and made the most of every moment." 

Chloe Wood, Lecturer in Early Years, said: "The girls were brilliant the whole trip and were so open to all of the opportunities they were presented with. They worked hard in placement, regardless of the language barrier and made us so proud. By the end of the week they were even washing their own clothes and keeping the apartment clean. It was a brilliant experience for us as staff too seeing their confidence grow as the weeks went on."

The trip wasn’t all work - student highlights included sampling German cuisine, browsing the shops, and sightseeing in Cologne, Münster and Dortmund - three cities brimming with culture and history. 

The trip offered more than just a change of scenery; it gave students valuable experience, new friendships, and a broader understanding of care work across borders. 

Find out more about our Care & Early Years courses at Newark and Lincoln College.