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While many pupils might spend their half-term holiday relaxing, four adventurous Wellington Fourth Formers—Edie W, Francesca W, Arlo W, and Sophie H—chose to embrace an extraordinary opportunity during the October half-term. The four volunteered to take part in a student exchange scheme with Wellington College Bangkok, after hearing of the opportunity back in the summer. Staying with different families, they attended the same lessons every day as their Fourth Form hosts, but had lots of opportunities to experience Thai culture as well.
These pupils embraced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the student exchange programme with Wellington College International Bangkok, an experience that provided not only academic engagement but also a rich cultural immersion.
The exchange programme, overseen by David Wilson, International Academic Director at Wellington College, pairs pupils from the UK and Bangkok based on shared interests. Participants initially meet virtually, along with their families, to build connections before embarking on their visits.
For the Wellington pupils, their two-week stay included full immersion in Bangkok’s timetabled lessons, sports, and co-curricular activities. Despite the familiar Wellington ethos, the campus offered a fresh perspective. “It felt surreal being in such a familiar Wellington environment that was also so different,” one pupil observed.
WCI Bangkok, which opened in 2018, boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a modern theatre, and a vibrant co-curricular programme. Lessons mirrored those in the UK but featured more time writing on paper rather than using laptops. Sports also differed, with a focus on basketball, swimming, and tennis rather than rugby and hockey. “And the lunches—definitely spicier!” one of the pupils added.
Beyond the classroom, the exchange offered opportunities to explore Thai culture. Highlights included a trip to the beach resort of Hua Hin and experiencing the warmth and hospitality of Thai families.
When asked if they’d recommend the experience, the pupils were unanimous: “Absolutely—it was brilliant! We learnt so much, not just academically but also by living with our Thai host families. We can’t wait to welcome Dew, Sainahm, Ploen and Miki to Wellington in May!”
This exchange programme highlights the unique position of Wellington pupils to engage with a truly global educational network. By fostering cross-cultural connections, the initiative offers pupils an unparalleled opportunity to broaden their horizons and create lifelong memories.
