Part-time learners redefine student mobility through a life-changing exchange to Finland
In February 2026, 31 students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) took part in a lifechanging exchange trip to Finland, funded by Taith. The exchange brought together students from Youth Work, Early Years and Education Studies courses, and included mature students and those studying part-time, balancing their studies alongside employment and family commitments. For many, the visit represented an opportunity that would not have been possible through more traditional, longer-term study abroad programmes, giving them an opportunity to learn not only from their Finnish hosts, but from each other.
The students attended lectures alongside their Finnish peers, visited youth centres and nurseries, and spoke with council members from Helsinki Council. The week was spent fully immersed in Finnish practice – seeing how other professionals work, understanding how different government organisations operate, and learning new methods of working with children and young people.
The experience not only enabled the students to develop their professional skills and understanding; it led to a huge growth in confidence and ambition. It has shaped how they feel about themselves and how they see their futures – creating a lifelong impact.
