International Pathways
International work experience can offer young people an opportunity to use languages authentically while developing confidence, independence, intercultural understanding and employability skills.
API Horizons draws on extensive first-hand experience of designing and leading these programmes.
Experience underpinning API Horizons
6 programmes | 13+ professional environments | Groups of 7–14 | 4 partner schools
1 former student now using Spanish & radio expertise professionally
✓ Led six successful Work Experience & Immersion trips to Cantabria both in October and April with Dulwich College, including one trip alongside a UK independent girls’ school
✓ Produced regular post-programme evaluations involving students, teachers and trip providers, providing evidence of increased confidence in spoken Spanish. Podcast recording is here
✓ Organised work experience trips flexibly with a range of group sizes (7-14)
✓ Placed students in over 13 different professional environments
✓ Organised annual in-person reciprocal visits to Dulwich College by Cantabria schools
✓ Visited and coordinated visits to four different schools in Cantabria overseeing a range of ice-breaking activities between local students and Dulwich College students
✓ Organised remote online ice-breaking activities for Dulwich College and Cantabria school students ahead of future trips
✓ Received excellent trip feedback from students and parents: Testimonials | Api Horizons
✓ Coordinated the development of a new Spanish trips programme in 2018, as Head of Spanish, across multiple year groups, with Work Experience & Immersion prioritised for Sixth Form students
One former student from the 2018 Work Experience & Immersion programme, who completed his placement at a radio station, has worked as a Radio Host for One Jazz since 2025, using both his Spanish & technical expertise.
Work Experience & Immersion Abroad:
Reflections
Students benefit not only from the linguistic and cultural exposure of being abroad, but also from the beauty of their natural surroundings, often mixing a variety of landscapes such as the Cantabrian mountains and seaside. This makes them feel ready to engage with an entirely new setting compared to home.
Whether working in local shops, cafés, pharmacies, town halls, or radio stations, UK students immerse themselves in authentic local surroundings where they need to interact with adults and peers in unfamiliar settings.
One of the greatest differences between traditional study abroad programmes and work experience immersions is the ratio of language exposure and uniqueness of experience. The workplace mentor supports a student in their placement and is a crucial source of technical linguistic knowledge linked to the business area.
As such, the student benefits from a highly concentrated immersion in the foreign language not only when speaking but also when listening.
Year 12 student feedback
"The work experience trip gave me my first opportunity to spend time in a radio station environment and helped spark an interest in radio and broadcasting. I now host Salsa Select on OneJazz, a radio show dedicated to salsa and Latin jazz."
Year 13 student feedback
"We felt stretched yet invigorated at the end of trip and full of confidence ahead of the start of the examination season in the summer term."
Parent feedback
"My son said he feels his Spanish has improved so much and that everyone they met there was so nice and welcoming. We also listened to the show on the radio and were very impressed!"
Interested in developing something similar for your school?
Proposed next steps:
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Arrange a complimentary 15-minute introductory call to discuss your school's existing international provision, aspirations and interest in international work experience.
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Identify the areas in which API Horizons could most usefully support your school.
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Receive a tailored consultancy proposal setting out the recommended scope of support and associated fee.