Isle Of Wight Students Set For Once-In-A-Lifetime Mandarin Adventure In China

Language, culture and adventure are on the horizon for 30 students from Carisbrooke College and the Island VI Form, as they get ready to embark on a unique trip to China this October.

The group, all of whom studied Mandarin Chinese at Carisbrooke, will spend 11 days travelling across the country, visiting four major cities and experiencing life on the move with sleeper trains and coaches instead of internal flights.

Trip leader and Mandarin teacher Joe Briscoe said the experience would be transformative for students both academically and personally:

“Although this trip is designed to ensure our learners use their Mandarin skills to communicate, it has also been carefully structured to provide a wide range of life experiences and give them first-hand knowledge to complement their studies in history, geography and RE.”

Carisbrooke College already has a strong track record in educational travel, having won the My Best School Trip Award for a history visit to Vietnam last year.

Now, staff are hoping to deliver another unforgettable journey.

Students will take in the bright lights of Shanghai, explore the ancient wonders of Xi’an, visit the revolutionary stronghold of Yan’an, and finish their journey in the nation’s capital, Beijing.

Mr Briscoe added:

“Schools have always brought opportunity to their students, but it’s even more essential today that we take them out into the wider world.

"This trip is about more than language learning – it’s about giving them memories, knowledge and confidence that will last a lifetime.”