Student exchanges · India 2026
Park Community School · SKV, Gwalior · April 2026
In April 2026, students from Park Community School travelled to India for an exchange with SKV in Gwalior. Time with student buddies and the chance to experience a different school culture sat at the heart of a visit that also introduced the group to India’s remarkable heritage.
Students and staff together during the April 2026 India visit.
Learning in action
The exchange gave students a chance to see how their peers learn and live at school. In their feedback, they reflected on classroom activities, relationships and the differences between school life in the UK and India.
The programme was designed around buddy-based classes, collaborative activities and time together at SKV. The planned schedule also included science and leadership workshops, the Dharohar Festival, a debate on technology and tradition, and a joint project imagining a future-ready school.
Buddies were a clear highlight in the student feedback. All three student respondents gave the school welcome and buddy support a rating of 5. One asked for more time with buddies; another was already thinking about how to make her buddy’s return visit to the UK a positive experience.
Preparing food together during a practical activity at school.
Sharing henna designs with students at SKV.
In their words
New confidence, curiosity and independence came through in the reflections shared after the visit.
“I became more confident and I learnt new things.”
Grace · Park Community School
“Be brave. It's not as scary as everyone thinks.”
Pollyanna · Park Community School
“It was amazing and so fun.”
Alexia · Park Community School
Joining in the celebrations during the exchange.
Together at SKV’s Dharohar Festival in April 2026.
Beyond the classroom
The visit paired school immersion with opportunities to explore India’s history and architecture. Photographs from the trip capture the group discovering palaces and historic sites together.
The group at the Taj Mahal during the April 2026 visit.
Gwalior: school immersion at SKV, alongside planned visits to Gwalior Fort and Jai Vilas Palace Museum.
Agra and Jaipur: the itinerary included the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Amer Fort.
Delhi: the final part of the planned programme included heritage, gardens and local crafts before the journey home.
Exploring the architecture and stories of India’s historic sites.
Discovering the palace grounds together in Gwalior.
Reflecting on the experience
Travelling somewhere unfamiliar can bring challenges as well as excitement. One student described guides helping when people approached the group outside school. Others reported no particular challenges and encouraged future visitors to be open to new experiences.
Students described learning about another culture, becoming more confident and developing curiosity and independence. Their suggestions also offer a useful direction for future visits: protect time with buddies and make the most of opportunities to join school events.
These individual reflections give prospective schools a direct view of the experience, from the enjoyment of new friendships to the practical value of support during the visit.
Your school’s next experience
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